Community Interest
Lancaster Legacies: Clark Associates
Meet this issue's Lancaster Legacy, Clark Associates sponsored by Stifel.
Stifel strives to help clients create sustainable financial solutions to impact their legacy while enhancing the surrounding community. In each 2019 issue of Fig Lancaster, Stifel is sponsoring this feature on an organization that is showcasing a strong mission of community transformation to uplift and inspire our readers. This issue’s spotlight organization is Clark Associates!
In 1971, Glenn and Lloyd Clark founded Clark Associates as an electrical service company, with just 7 employees.
Today, Clark Associates has grown into a diversified family of companies with more than 3,000 employees, nationally known for its foodservice equipment distribution channels. Headed by a leadership team that includes Fred Clark, Lloyd’s son, and Gene Clark, Lloyd’s grandson, Clark Associates is making national headlines for its incredible growth.
Even as he continues to serve as CEO, Fred Clark has already begun to prepare for the future without him at the helm at Clark Associates. He has assembled a visionary leadership team, including his son, Gene, who is president of Clark Food Service Equipment, Dave Groff, president of Webstaurant Store, Steve Leaman, president of The Restaurant Store, and Charlie Garber, Chief Information Officer. These young executives have been with the company for many years, learning the different businesses and honing their leadership and collaboration skills. An investment in developing this leadership team has allowed the nearly 50-year-old family company to prepare for a seamless transition when the time comes, without sacrificing all that momentum.
The secret to their incredible growth? According to Gene, it’s rooted in his dad’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“When we talk about an entrepreneurial spirit we are referring to how as a company, we are always willing to make mistakes and learn from them. And that spirit comes from my dad. Through taking risks, he created so much growth for this company. That entrepreneurial spirit will continue to be that visionary guiding force long into the future.”
