Northwestern University. Photo: Rdsmith4, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northwestern_Arch.jpg)
Gallery of Worley Clark
North Carolina State University. Photo: Melizabethi123, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Carolina_State_Bell_Tower.jpg)
Gallery of Worley Clark
Stanford University. Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stanford_Oval_May_2011_panorama.jpg)
North Carolina State University. Photo: Melizabethi123, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Carolina_State_Bell_Tower.jpg)
Stanford University. Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stanford_Oval_May_2011_panorama.jpg)
Worley H. Clark was an American business executive who led Nalco Chemical Company as chief executive officer and chairman. Beginning as a sales engineer, he advanced through industrial chemicals management and later served on corporate, educational, medical, and cultural boards. He also supported engineering education and philanthropic institutions.
Background
Worley H. Clark was born on June 18, 1932, in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, to Worley H. Clark and Grace Ethel Bledsoe Clark. Big Stone Gap is a historic Appalachian community in southwestern Virginia, and Clark retained a connection with the region throughout his life.
Clark met Callie Anne Coughlin during childhood in Big Stone Gap, and they married on August 20, 1955. After retirement, the couple owned a working cattle ranch near Big Timber, Montana, which became an important setting for their family life and philanthropic activities.
Education
Clark attended Northwestern University before transferring to North Carolina State University to study engineering. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from North Carolina State in 1956. North Carolina State, founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution, developed a strong tradition in engineering and applied science that connected higher education with industry and economic development in North Carolina.
He also pursued postgraduate study at Cleveland-Marshall Law School and completed a graduate executive program at Stanford University. Cleveland-Marshall's professional tradition centered on legal education in an urban setting, while Stanford's executive programs provided advanced management education for experienced business leaders. Clark's education combined industrial engineering with later legal and executive study.
Clark began his professional career as a sales engineer with Standard Oil of Ohio from 1956 to 1960. Standard Oil of Ohio, commonly known as Sohio, was an important petroleum company whose operations connected engineering, fuel distribution, and industrial markets.
In 1960, Clark joined Nalco Chemical Company, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals used in industrial and water-treatment processes. He first served as a district representative in the industrial division in Houston from 1960 to 1964 and then as area manager in Houston from 1964 to 1967. He subsequently managed Nalco's Wisconsin district from 1967 to 1968 and Michigan district from 1968 to 1971, working from the company's offices in Naperville, Illinois.
Clark became sales manager of Nalco's water-treatment chemicals group in 1971 and general manager of the group in 1974. He was appointed group vice president and president of the industrial division in 1978, then executive vice president of domestic operations in 1982. He served as chief executive officer from 1982 and as chairman from 1984 until his retirement as chairman and chief executive officer in 1994. His career reflected the growing importance of specialty chemicals and industrial water-treatment technologies in American manufacturing.
After leaving Nalco, Clark became president of W. H. Clark Associates, Ltd., a consulting firm. He also served as a director of companies and institutions including Bethlehem Steel, Georgia-Pacific, Merrill Lynch, Millennium Chemicals, Valero Energy, USG, and Northern Trust. In 2003, he became chairman of Millennium Chemicals while remaining involved in corporate governance and industrial business affairs.
Achievements
Clark advanced from sales engineer to chief executive officer and chairman of Nalco Chemical Company, leading the specialty-chemicals manufacturer during a period of expansion in industrial and water-treatment markets.
He contributed to engineering education through leadership of fundraising and scholarship initiatives at North Carolina State University, including support associated with the College of Engineering.
He served on the boards of major corporations and civic institutions, including financial, manufacturing, medical, educational, and cultural organizations.
Membership
Clark belonged to professional and industry organizations that connected chemical manufacturing, engineering, corporate management, and industrial technology. His memberships included the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Paper Industry Management Association, Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, American Petroleum Institute, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Chemical Manufacturers Association, Society of Chemical Industry, and The Conference Board.
He also belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon during his studies at North Carolina State University. His civic and institutional service extended to educational, medical, scientific, and cultural organizations in the Chicago area.
Member during his studies at North Carolina State University.
Sigma Phi Epsilon
,
United States
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry
,
United States
Paper Industry Management Association
,
United States
Association of Iron and Steel Engineers
,
United States
American Petroleum Institute
,
United States
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
,
United States
Served as chairman from 1986 to 1987.
Chemical Manufacturers Association
,
United States
Served on the executive committee.
Society of Chemical Industry
,
United States
The Conference Board
,
United States
Personality
Clark was described by family and community accounts as a Southern gentleman known for dry wit, integrity, generosity, and an active interest in mentoring and advising others.
Interests
Ranching and cattle raising.
Sport & Clubs
Golf; hunting.
Connections
Clark married Callie Anne Coughlin on August 20, 1955. They had two daughters, Caryl Lynne Smith and Cindy Anne Mancillas, and supported educational and civic institutions together. Callie Anne Clark served on the Field Museum's Women's Board and Founders Council and participated in other community and educational activities.
Clark's parents were Worley H. Clark and Grace Ethel Bledsoe Clark. His family connections also included his daughters' families and grandchildren, including Kelsey Lynne Smith, Kendall Anne Mancillas, and Dylan Clark Mancillas.
Father:
Worley H. Clark
Mother:
Grace Ethel Bledsoe Clark
Daughter:
Caryl Lynne Smith
Daughter of Clark and Callie Anne Coughlin Clark.
Daughter:
Cindy Anne Mancillas
Daughter of Clark and Callie Anne Coughlin Clark.
Wife:
Callie Anne Coughlin
Clark's wife and longtime partner in educational, civic, and philanthropic activities.
References
Worley "H" Clark Jr. obituary
Documents Clark's birth, death, marriage, daughters, education, career at Nalco Chemical Company, honors, philanthropy, ranching, and civic service.
NC State University College of Engineering newsletter
Documents Clark's Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University and his leadership in an engineering fundraising campaign.
1998
Kohl Children's Museum annual report
Identifies Clark as president of W. H. Clark Associates, Ltd., retired chairman and chief executive officer of Nalco Chemical Company, and a member of the museum's civic advisory committee.
