When it comes to working in construction, William Clark claims he’s a “lifer.” The Little Rock native, husband to Christy and father of three graduated from the U of A in 1991 with a degree in business management with an emphasis in small business/entrepreneurship. Three weeks after graduation he went to work for his dad, Bill Clark, at Braggs Electric, which did all the electrical work for Dillard’s.
“I started out working in the accounting department at Braggs,” he recalls. About three years later the elder Clark moved William over to CDI Construction (which he also owned), and he began working as a project manager.
“When my dad got diagnosed with cancer in December 2006, I was working onsite at UAMS on the new patient tower project. A month later I was back in the office working closely with my dad to learn more about the executive side of things.”
The elder Clark died about five months after that and William was promoted to CEO of CDI. A year-and-a-half later, he really put his degree to work as he started his own business, Clark Contractors.
In the five years since the launch of Clark Contractors, the company has put its mark on a number of notable projects, including too many healthcare projects to mention, the newly finished Arcade Building in downtown Little Rock and the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. Clark Contractors is also currently working on the downtown Mann on Main renovation. “I was also the project manager on Heifer’s new headquarters building, which was the first LEED Platinum building in Arkansas,” Clark says.
Regarding the types of projects his company takes on, Clark says he considers his team and their abilities diverse, adding that they’ve done a lot of hospitality, healthcare, educational and commercial work. “We don’t try to focus too much on any one particular market sector. We’re capable of doing just about anything. I’m really proud of the competence of our whole team.”
Clark Contractors’ business values are admirable: “Family spirit, humility, relationships, service, teamwork, transparency and trust.” “That philosophy isn’t just something we sat down and listed,” Clark says. “It’s really more an answer to a question we posed to ourselves: ‘What are we all about? Why would someone want to choose us over a bunch of other perfectly qualified contractors?’ I think it sums up our approach to how we treat someone we’re partnering with.”
Clark’s emphasis on strong, honest working relationships is clearly influenced by his father, who he says was his “biggest role model.” “I learned a lot watching him as I came up in the business. It’s kind of funny because he and I didn’t have a lot of direct conversations where he’d say, ‘You need to do this or that’ … I just watched him operate and saw how he treated people.”
It’s no surprise then that one of Clark’s favorite parts of the job is the relationships he builds while working with clients on long-term construction projects. “Sometimes the process can be three years from the first meeting to the ribbon cutting,” he says. “It’s so fun and rewarding watching people get to occupy their new building. And when I look at the finished product, I know it will be there long after I’m gone. That’s pretty cool.”
Fast Track:
Typical day? It usually starts with checking email and phone messages. Often, they lead to meeting with my team to establish a game plan to resolve whatever issue or opportunity has come up. At some point just about every day, I’m working on a board- or nonprofit-related project, whether it’s prepping for a board meeting or planning for an event. I also spend a lot of time strategizing on proposals for new projects and relationships with new and prospective clients.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I’m a big-time introvert. In my line of work, I have to attend a lot of events with large crowds. It absolutely wears me out. I have to really gear myself up for them, and afterward I’m exhausted. I fare much better in small groups or one-on-one conversations. They’re much more meaningful, and frankly, one of the things I love most about this business.
Music? It’s all over the board. I grew up in the ’80s, so I’m partial to hair bands like AC/DC and Bon Jovi. But I also listen to Coldplay, Elton John, Soundgarden and a lot of country.
How do you take your coffee? I’m not a coffee guy. I tried to start drinking it when I started working, but regardless of how much sweet stuff I put in it, it just tasted like dirt water. I drink Coke in the morning to get my caffeine.
Suit and tie, or jeans? Jeans without question, and that’s only if shorts aren’t appropriate!
Hobbies? The hobby that takes the most of my time right now is coaching and watching my three sons in their sports. I probably saw over 100 games last year in basketball, baseball and football. I’ve enjoyed it more than I ever thought possible. I also try to play golf, fish and deer and duck hunt as much as I can, too.