Mark Clarke is the new stakeholder engagement liaison at Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC).
Clarke will focus on building and maintaining relationships between ATCC, its students, local industries and community partners with a goal of enhancing career training and workforce development in the Arkansas River Valley.
“Mark’s depth of experience and proven track record of building strong connections between education and industry make him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Arron DeGracia, ATCC director. “His dedication to student success and workforce readiness aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Clarke has more than 40 years of experience in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. His career has centered on leadership and team development as well as process improvement.
“We are so fortunate to have Mark assisting us in improving workforce education and promoting workforce development in the Arkansas River Valley,” said Dr. Sheila Jacobs, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus chancellor. “His expertise in advanced manufacturing as well as his passion for workforce development will be instrumental in ATCC’s continuous improvement efforts.”
Clarke worked for Rockline Industries for more than 27 years, including the past nine-plus years as general manager of the company’s Russellville plant. There, he led business operations, cultivated a culture of safety and partnered with Arkansas Tech to establish job training programs for students.
A member of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Clarke has chaired workforce development initiatives and advocated for professional development opportunities such as Lean Six Sigma training.
Clarke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas and numerous certifications in Lean Six Sigma and quality management.
For more information about Arkansas Tech Career Center and its programs, visit www.atu.edu/careercenter.
