Clark Named Leader of the Year

Stan Clark was named the Leadership Stillwater Alumni Association (LSAA) Leader of the year at the LSAA Annual Meeting. Joseppi's was the site of the annual meeting and quarterly social. Many Leadership Stillwater alumni were present to approve the annual budget and the availability of a lifetime membership, as well as recognize Clark for his achievements.

Stan Clark, a native of Tulsa, graduated from Oklahoma State University in May of 1975 with a BS degree in Business Administration. He is married to Shannon Clark, and is the proud father of three - Maguire, age 6, and twins, Gabi and Hudson, age 4.

Eskimo Joe's opened on July 21, 1975. Clark was 22 years old at the time. From the most humble beginnings, Clark has built a restaurant and retail brand that has gained national, even international notoriety.

Stillwater Bay was opened in 1984 at the edge of the OSU campus. In 1986 it relocated downtown to the corner of Seventh and Main where it operated until June 2005. Mexico Joe's opened in 1987. It was wildly successful in its original location and in 1987 Clark expanded it by building a new facility on Hall of Fame.

Eskimo Joe's opened their first retail location, Joe's Clothes World Headquarters, in the fall of 1987. Beginning in 1990, Eskimo Joe?s Clothes began their own screenprinting operations.

In 1993, Governor David Walters appointed Clark to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation commission. He was reappointed by Governor Frank Keating twice and served for nearly nine years under three governors.

Clark opened Joseppi's Italian Kitchen in May 2000 next door to Mexico Joe's.

In September of 2002, Clark incorporated his latest operating company, Eskimo Joe's Promotional Products Group. Graphic design, creative and screenprinting services, as well as a full-line offering of promotional products, is available.

With an annual payroll of over $5,000,000, the Stan Clark Companies employ around 500 people at any one time.

One of the company's legacies is its support of the Stillwater community, particularly the Stillwater Area United Way. Eskimo Joe's has sponsored and hosted the Juke Joint Jog for more than twenty years and has been the title sponsor of the Three Amigo's United Way Golf Classic for sixteen years. They've sponsored or contributed to the Special Olympics of OK, the Stillwater Public Education Foundation, the Coaches vs Cancer program, the OSU College of Education, and various other OSU departments or programs, including the South Entry Plaza of Boone Pickens Stadium. Additionally, over $13,000 is donated in product to schools, social organizations and events within Oklahoma each year. The associates at the Stan Clark Cos. have contributed countless hours and lots of talent to these and many other worthy causes. Clark is proud of his organization's record of philanthropy and feels that they're just getting started when it comes to creating a better city and state in which to raise his young family.

Past Leadership Stillwater Alumni Association Leader's of the Year include Bud Lacy, Mary Rupp, Andrea Kelly and Norman McNickle.

Pictured are Jim Aulgur, outgoing Leadership Stillwater Alumni Association Board of Directors President, and Stan Clark, Leader of the Year recipient.