Melissa Clark leads Primera’s accounting and finance teams with a passion for problem solving. “Primera fosters a learning environment,” she explains. “I’m constantly empowering my team to analyze the issues and provide solutions that help us improve efficiency and knowledge inside and outside our department.” Melissa has been problem solving since her first job after high school. Her expertise is the result of more than 20 years in the AEC industry and more than 10 years as a Controller. Melissa and her team are responsible for all areas of corporate accounting and finance, including invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, financial analysis and the financial well-being of the company.

Melissa got her start in the AEC industry working as a studio coordinator for a Wisconsin-based architecture firm. She gradually worked her way into financial coordinator and general accountant roles while she earned her degree in management accounting from Alverno College in Milwaukee. Before long, she was promoted into the Controller role. A self-proclaimed life-long learner, she later returned to her alma mater and earned her MBA in 2011 before leading the accounting efforts for a Milwaukee-based civil engineering firm. She joined Primera after moving to Chicago and has taken our accounting practice by storm, applying her expertise and problem solving skills to improve efficiencies as well as the invoicing experience for our staff and our clients.

Outside of her accounting responsibilities, she is passionate about education and working with local youth to find their purpose in life. She also enjoys spending her free time hanging out with her husband and daughter.