[av_slideshow_full perma_caption=’aviaTBperma_caption’ size=’featured’ min_height=’0px’ stretch=” control_layout=’av-control-default’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ attach=’scroll’ conditional_play=” animation=’slide’ transition_speed=” autoplay=’false’ interval=’5′ lazy_loading=’disabled’ id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-jnotyp5h’ sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’11904′ video=’https://’ mobile_image=” fallback_link=’https://’ title=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ custom_title_size=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” custom_content_size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” heading_tag=” heading_class=” link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” av_uid=’av-kod6cohe’ sc_version=’1.0′][/av_slide_full]
[/av_slideshow_full]
[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ mobile_breaking=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ padding=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ highlight=” highlight_size=” animation=” link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” mobile_display=” id=” custom_class=” aria_label=” av_uid=’av-1jjv9b5′]
[av_image src=’https://clarkcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/75-Stories-Graphic30-1030×579.jpg’ attachment=’13189′ attachment_size=’large’ copyright=” caption=” image_size=” styling=” align=’center’ font_size=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’ hover=” appearance=” link=” target=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” img_scrset=” lazy_loading=’disabled’ id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-kp4hv3gz’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image]
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-jvxy1f9o’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
July 2009 marked the worse time in my professional career. After coming off a week-long family vacation and entertaining hospital clients at a major fundraiser, I returned to the office of the company I previously worked for and was called into a meeting with the corporate executives. I was told the company was moving in a different direction and all the Michigan offices would eventually close. My job, along with most of the other company executives was eliminated. I was devastated. Concerned for not only my future, but the future of nearly 200 employees caused great anxiety for me. I had previously been told my job performance was very good, future was bright, and I was in line to take over the Michigan operations. I had just purchased a new house in northern Michigan and excited about what my future held. The economy was beginning to show significant signs of slowing down, I was in significant debt, and doubt crept into my life.
Fortunately for me, Ken Lawless, who I had not known previously, was told about my situation from a Clark employee, Jerry Stakhiv. I really did not know much about Clark, only that they were a Lansing company and I had only competed against them on the Ferris Sate University Michigan College of Optometry project. Ken and I talked on the phone several times and ultimately, he asked me to come in and meet some of the company executives. I drove to Lansing with much apprehension and doubt about working for a Lansing company.
The day of my interview I met Ken Lawless, and we talked for awhile and was taken into a conference room and was introduced to John Clark, Randy Jobin, and Gerald Boerner. I remember John had an old yellow graphite pencil that was sharpened down to just a nub. Seeing that pencil reminded me of a previous mentor I worked for that always used the graphite pencils until they could hardly be held anymore. For some reason that memory made me feel that I was in a good place. John, Randy, and Gerald were all very welcoming. All different in personality but much united as business partners. We talked at length about my career, did not chide me for being an Architect, but most importantly, made me feel welcome and put me at instant ease. After meeting with them for about an hour Randy and Gerald had to run off to a meeting and Ken asked me if I had time to meet a few more people. Who was I to say no, I had nothing but time on my hands.
Ken then took me to meet Chuck Clark who was at a conference at the Michigan State University Breslin Center. Chuck was having lunch and asked me to join him. Ken had told me John and Chuck were brothers and ran the company together. After meeting Chuck, I was convinced it was a joke. John and Chuck’s looks, mannerism and personalities were completely different, yet they were united in their love for the company. Chuck also put me at ease and his passion for building an elite company was more than obvious. Chuck and I talked for nearly an hour and I left feeling a sense of hope and optimism.
It took several weeks to get to a job offer. Despite the fact of having numerous offers presented by companies closer to home, and at a higher salary, I chose Clark. I felt Clark was a family, they cared about their employees, desired to develop a healthcare practice, had a passion for doing work ethically, and most importantly they made me feel welcome. When I called Ken and accepted the offer he told me I had found a home for the rest of my career. Twelve years later, I owe John, Chuck, Ken, Randy, and Gerald my eternal gratitude. More than anything else they were instrumental in me accepting the position at Clark. Shortly after joining the company I was introduced to Sam and felt an immediate bond and kinsmanship with him and to this day consider him a trusted partner and advisor. Working for Clark has been beyond my wildest expectations and this Architect is glad he came over the right side of the business.
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]