Eric Clark

Relentless Ally

Charting a New Course

Strong leadership is vital to expansion. When looking to break into new markets or new areas, a great leader can be foundational for setting a team up for success. In the Mid-Atlantic, Eric Clark is an example of that great leader: collaborative, empathetic and a dedicated ally to the teams he serves.

In his role as vice president of operations, Eric is supporting active projects in and around Central Virginia. Whether he is assisting the project teams in overcoming challenges, ensuring all teams have the resources they need or interfacing with potential clients to find new opportunities, Eric is a relentless ally for our people and stakeholders. His commitment to his teammates has led to decades worth of successfully delivered projects and satisfied clients who work together to provide essential buildings for rapidly growing communities.

Expanding Horizons

Eric is currently leading our Mid-Atlantic teammates as they expand their operations into the Richmond and Hampton Roads communities. The team has been operating in the area for many years but recently set their sights on putting down roots and getting more established.

“We’ve been here for quite some time, and we’ve built a great core group of people,” says Eric. “We saw an opportunity to grow our market presence, and we’re thrilled to begin this next chapter.”

The Richmond and Hampton Roads office plans to expand their expertise in the federal, institutional and higher education markets, building upon the Mid-Atlantic’s 93-year history in the region. The team has hit the ground running and are actively engaged in several significant projects, partnering with clients like the College of William and Mary and their repeat-client, US Army Corps of Engineers.

“This is an opportunity to serve the central Virginia community, using our established local expertise to support the region’s growth and development,” says Eric. “Our commitment to excellence and the relationships we’ve built in the community have laid a strong foundation; we’re excited to deliver exceptional results for our clients and communities.”

Returning the Favor

Though he’s now a core leader in the Mid-Atlantic, Eric is no stranger to working in the field. He began at Balfour Beatty after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1998, joining the company as a project engineer. As the years progressed, he has risen through the ranks and experienced many parts of the business in the process.

The journey of Eric’s career gives him insight into the unique challenges his teammates experience at every level of the business. Now, he’s dedicated to living out our people-first culture and supporting the next generation.

“I had so many opportunities from my leaders throughout the years to develop in my career,” says Eric. “Now, I’m always looking for ways to develop others and provide them opportunities to get to the next level in their careers.”

For Eric, the value of mentoring cannot be overstated. Not only does it grow a network of exceptional construction leaders, it also establishes a culture in which personal connections, teamwork and collaboration are paramount to success.

“Creating collaborative environments allows our teams to excel,” says Eric. “That collaboration leads to successfully navigating project challenges and accelerated schedules, ultimately ensuring that we can deliver excellent projects that meet our clients’ unique needs.”

Coming Full Circle

During his days as an assistant project manager, Eric was assigned to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, primarily supervising field crews during the fit-out phase of the project. The 120,000-square-foot facility was nearing completion when Eric joined the team, working the night shift and finalizing the lighting in the main gallery.

Over ten years later, Eric found himself once again at the museum, this time as a project executive. For the phase 2 expansion project, the team more than doubled the space, adding new exhibit galleries, a large screen theater and a student education center.

“It was a really full-circle project for me,” explains Eric. “I was engaged in the initial project from a young age and felt like I was just finding my way in the industry. Being able to come back so many years later and lead the team that put the expansion on has been a highlight of my career.”

The museum is heavily awarded, with the original project earning more than a dozen recognitions and the expansion project earning recognitions from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Metropolitan Washington and Virginia and NAIOP Northern Virginia. It is one of Balfour Beatty’s signature projects in the Mid-Atlantic, and a testament to our team’s emphasis on collaboration and commitment to bringing our clients’ visions to life.

Stepping Fearlessly in the Future

When charting this new course in the Mid-Atlantic, Eric’s meticulous planning and preparation allow his teammates to step fearlessly into a new chapter. New challenges will arise. Unexpected obstacles will appear. But with a leader like Eric inspiring confidence in his teams, there is nothing they can’t overcome.