Richard M. Clarke

With an international career that spans four decades, Clarke's far-reaching expertise and experience has greatly benefited CEO Perspective Group clients. A founding member of CEO Perspective Group, Clarke advises top executives on governance issues, plus select specialties from his years of success in multiple industries. He also has helped clients start conservation-related ventures.

Formerly Chair of Hoechst Celanese, Akzo America, CEO of Nash-Elmo Industries and non-executive Chairman of Yankelovich Holding Company, Clarke is Chairman of the Thermotech Company and Simona America Inc.

An expert on the changing role of Boards, Clarke was recently a Director of the Menasha Corporation, Nash-Elmo Industries and former Chairman of the National Executive Service Corps. A Board member of the Henry L. Stimson Center and head of CE Partners LLC, Clarke is Trustee Emeritus of the National Urban League, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Americas Society. Past Board memberships have also included the World Resource Institute, the Celgene Corporation, AMP Corporate Technologies, and Lasertechnics/Sandia Imaging Systems.

Clarke's previous positions reflect his extensive background, breadth of knowledge, and ability to navigate the complexities of global business. In 1992, Clarke became Chairman of Akzo America, Inc., the North American arm of a diversified international chemical and healthcare corporation based in the Netherlands. Before joining Akzo, Clarke was President and CEO of Wickes Industrial Group and Chairman of Hoechst Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 50 company.

A native of Canada, Clarke holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Master's of Chemical Engineering from Yale University.

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