Spire Summer 2020

vision mission

Clarke Makes His Mark

S ince completing his bachelor’s degree in Management and Leadership through BC’s Degree Completion Program in 2014, Matthew Clarke has been able to give back to his hometown of Wytheville, VA through his business and acquired leadership skills. “I attended a junior college and then a large state school in North Carolina but continuously struggled to get by,” said Clarke. “I eventually gave up and went to work. As I got older, I tried several times to finish my degree and the programs never seemed to fit into my busy work and family schedule. When I learned about the Bluefield College Inspire Program through a colleague at work, it seemed to have all the opportunities to provide success where I had failed before.” After completing his degree and serving as a company president, Clarke started his own business. Clarke Precision Machine (CPM) was established after acquiring the previous Williams Manufacturing Corporation in Wytheville, VA. Williams Manufacturing was founded in 1964 as a build-to-order shop for welding, machining, and fabrication for the fastener industry. CPM was created to continue providing engineered solutions for consumers requiring custom machined products. CPM experienced significant organic growth from 2015-2017, more than doubling its sales and number of employees. While actively pursuing an addition to their existing building, they were presented with the opportunity to acquire a similar business in the same industrial park with a much larger building and property. “CPM acquired the location of G&W Manufacturing which celebrated success for many years due to its relationship of providing tools to local, regional, and national companies covering a variety of different industries,” said Clarke. “Clarke Precision Machine is blessed to employ individuals from both companies and many new talented team members.”

Once G&W was acquired, CPM took the opportunity to completely renovate the manufacturing space with

Manufacturing Expansion (GenEdge). He has also served on the Vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Board Member of the Wytheville Golf Club, and is a business mentor to Downtown Wytheville’s small business start-up program, Evolution Wytheville. Clarke helped develop business plans and strategies to business owners who were competing for grant money to start or expand their business. “I see it as a responsibility that we all have to participate in our community in whatever capacity that we can,” said Clarke. “Every citizen has some talent that can help make our community a better place and we owe it to our families and neighbors to help where we can.” Clarke’s educational accomplishments not only left an impact on his business and community, but with his family as well. Clarke and his wife, Sandra, have three sons; Christopher (23), Luke (13), and Sean (8). “My oldest son, Christopher, was a very smart junior in high school. Sandra and I were having discussions with him about college preparation, and during one of those, he announced that he wasn’t going to college,” said Clarke. “His reasoning was that I had done well with my career and I hadn’t finished, why did he have to?” Clarke had promised his oldest son that he would finish college before he graduated from high school. Clarke had kept his promise and later on, his son decided college might be worth it after all. “We are proud of Matt and his accomplishments as a servant leader and alumnus,” remarked BC President Dr. David Olive. “His inspiring efforts and work have helped transform his community and family.”

additional offices, parking, break facilities, and implementing a modern ERP system for the business to operate. Their plan was well executed, and the two businesses were merged at the end of 2019, giving the CPM team 30 employees and over 20,000 SF of space. “The expansion was a requirement to manage and maintain the growth of the business,” said Clarke. “It also allows CPM to market its services to new customers as we were previously at full capacity.” Twelve jobs were created when the $750,000 expansion was finished last year. “Clarke Precision Machine is a valued contributor to our resurging manufacturing industry and continues to build on a long legacy of success in Wythe County,” said Governor Ralph Northam in a press release announcing the expansion. “Supporting the expansion of Virginia’s existing businesses and helping them meet critical workforce needs is key to building strong regional economies, and that’s why we will continue to assist growing companies in developing world- class talent. We thank Clarke Precision Machine for reinvesting in its operation and look forward to the company’s continued growth in our Commonwealth.” Along with running a business, Clarke gives back to his community in several other ways through volunteer work and boards. Clarke currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce, Vice-chair of the Board of Trustees for the Wythe County Community Hospital, Board Member for the Wythe County Joint Industrial Development Authority, Member of the Perkins Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Technology Center, and Gubernatorial Appointee to the Board of Trustees for the A.L. Philpott

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