Richmond Senior High School Class of 2005 graduate Chris Clark is a true representation of Richmond County Black History as the first black graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point from the county when he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Management in 2010.
Upon his history-making graduation, Clark entered the United States Army, stationed in Texas and deployed to Iraq, and served as an assistant battalion logistics officer, platoon leader, company fire support officer, and battalion targeting officer/ electronic warfare officer during his three-plus years in the service.
In 2015, Clark embarked on his career within the transportation industry under CSX as a engineering manager (roadmaster) for two years before transitioning to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), initially as rail maintenance followed by operations management analyst from 2019-2021. In 2021, he relocated to become the manager of rail operations for New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and was named the interim director of Bus & Operations-Bus & Rail in January of 2022.
Along with his impressive career on the rails, Clark also founded his own personal training business, Fit Period LLC, in 2017 and is an International Sports Sciences Association certified fitness trainer.
He accredits his appreciation for transportation to his uncle and pastor, (Bishop) Lomeul Stroman of Rockingham; and his love for service and people to his late grandmother, Brenda Chaffin. Though born in Texas, Clark’s roots and upbringing in Richmond County make him proud. Selfless-service, duty, honor, and above all love are the core tenets of his character and the driving forces of his success.
Join us today in celebrating this present-day history making man, who might not have been born in Richmond County, but is a proud former Ellerbe Wildcat and Richmond Raider currently representing Richmond County in New Orleans and who has represented us all over the world!
Special thanks to Sierra McQueen-Fowler for this post.
Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority.
(Editor’s Note: Visit Richmond County is highlighting prominent local African Americans each day in February in honor of Black History Month. Previous individuals featured include late Richmond County sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr., late state representative Harrison Ingram Quick, dancer and makeup artist Ciarra Kelley, Ellerbe Mayor Brenda Capel, two-time Super Bowl champion Perry Williams, Bishop Arlester Simpson of Ellerbe, Richmond County School Board member Ronald Tillman, and educator Melvin Ingram. See the Visit Richmond County Facebook page for more on these outstanding individuals.)
