JAMES D. CLARK ’57

James Clark can easily be described as a steady guy: He worked for Bridgestone/Firestone for 34 years, and he’s been married to his wife, Joan, for nearly 51 years.

During his career with Bridgestone/Firestone, Jim held a variety of management positions, including controllerships, division president, and ultimately, executive vice president of North America Tire Operations.

Jim has also remained loyal to John Carroll University since he graduated. Though his career meant several moves over the years, Jim returned to Northeast Ohio 35 years ago and he has been actively involved in John Carroll programs. He was a member of the President’s Forum and he served as the representative for the Alumni Fund on the JCU National Alumni Board for six years.

When their daughter, Suzanne ’88, was a student at John Carroll, Jim and Joan became founding members of the JCU Parents Association in 1984; they served as co-chairs for two years. He was gift chair for many of his class reunions, and for their 50th reunion, Jim was instrumental in raising more than $350,000 for the Class of 1957 Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, in memory of deceased classmates, to benefit JCU students in crisis.

Jim currently serves on the board of directors for the Jennings Center for Older Adults, including service as board chair 2003-2005. He credits John Carroll, in part, with his personal and professional successes. “I had to be very flexible in my career,” he says, “and I think my John Carroll education provided me that capability. It created a solid foundation of ethical values and technical skills that have served me well.” 

For his past and present involvement in and dedication to the University, his outstanding professional leadership, and for his longtime commitment to Northeast Ohio, The John Carroll Alumni Association is pleased to award James D. Clark our 2009 Alumni Medal.