Ben Clark considers himself a true native son of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Here, he’s had the lifelong luxury of seeing and hearing the planes from the Naval Air Station Oceana, the “Sound of Freedom,” as they say in Virginia Beach. He’s witnessed firsthand how careers in aviation can deeply impact a person’s well-being and their families in many positive ways.
“I also was lucky enough to have parents who ensured that their sons appreciated history,” said Clark, who has fond memories of visiting Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina and learning at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. “I’ve always felt a connection to this industry where people, goods, commerce and technology meet.”
Clark said he has been blessed throughout his career to have people help guide him. “None of my success would have been possible without Pam Freund hiring me into the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM); our regional director Greg Daniel accepting me into our Management Training Program; and I would not have made it another inch without Dr. Joel English, our executive vice president, motivating and pushing me to better myself.”
Clark has been with AIM for the past 14 years, where he’s held several titles. He's worked his way from a cubicle in the financial aid office to being the executive director of two campuses in Virginia. Most recently, Clark has served as the associate director of Academic Affairs. He also is AIM’s international business specialist.
Clark studied history and earned a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. He earned a master’s in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville and is currently enrolled at Hampton University’s Ph.D. program in Higher Education Management. The rest of his training came on the job while working at AIM. He graduated from AIM’s internal management training program and is an ACCSC speaker and school auditor and a contributor in AIM’s partnership with Avotek. He is working to obtain a drone operator’s license.
Nominating Clark for this year’s 40 Under 40 award, Dr. Joel English, AIM executive vice president, said, “Perhaps Ben’s most significant contributions are in his service within youth in aviation programs.” In five cities, Clark operates a dual enrollment high school program. Students in 11th and 12th grade can take the general curriculum within Part 147 as part of their high school program then apply those credits to becoming a certified mechanic.
“My favorite part of my career is offering our summer Jet Camps across the USA,” said Clark, who is a corporate member of Girls in Aviation. “We engage students, boys and girls, ages 5-17, via various camp activities. Providing new career pathways to the younger generation and teaching them new career opportunities is an excellent reason to go to work each day.”
