Author Profile
Biography
William G. Clark was named President & Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Rochester, NY, Inc. on June 27, 1994.
President Clark's career with the League spans 36 years. During his tenure he served in multiple capacities. In 1981, he joined the Urban League in a leadership position in finance and administration. As the Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible for the oversight and management of the agency's annual operating budget and Black Scholars Endowment Fund.
In 1983, he was promoted to Vice President for Finance and Administration. At that time, he also assumed the duties of Chief Program Officer and Personnel Administrator. He served in multiple roles until January 1, 1994, when he was promoted to interim President & CEO, and was later confirmed as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Rochester.
During his tenure, Mr. Clark saw the League's annual operating budget increase to over $6 million per year. He played an instrumental role in the purchase of the Urban League headquarters located at 265 North Clinton Avenue and its $750,000 Capital Campaign drive for building renovations.
Prior to joining the Urban League, he served as the General Accounting Manager of the Genesee Hospital and as an Auditor for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rochester.
He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in management from St. John Fisher College and a Master’s of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
He currently serves on the Monroe County/Rochester Workforce Investment Board, the JPMorgan Chase Bank National Community Advisory Board, the YMCA of Greater Rochester Board of Directors, the University of Rochester Medical Center Board of Trustees, and the Greater Rochester Health Foundation Board of Directors. He formerly served as a Trustee for the Center for Governmental Research and the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and as a member of the City of Rochester Planning Commission.
Author's Essays
During the 20th century, Rochester, New York, relied on big manufacturers like Eastman Kodak and Xerox to drive its economy. Individuals without a post-secondary degree could find well-paying jobs that provided lifelong careers. Those days are long gone. Manufacturing jobs have declined, and the…