Primera is proud to announce Melissa Clark, CPSP has been promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. As part of the firm’s Executive Management Team, she’ll continue to lead all aspects of the corporate accounting and finance functions with an increased focus on strategic planning, process improvement, and Primera’s National growth initiatives. She previously served as Controller since joining the firm in 2015.

In the past seven years, Melissa has made a profound impact on Primera. She managed the 2016 internal acquisition of the firm in under two months; she led the charge in automating nearly all of our financial processes; she’s evolved her practices to sharing financials with all employees through Primera’s open book management approach; she oversees the firm’s ESOP; and, she was vital to the launch and continued operations of the Primera Foundation.

“This promotion recognizes the important role Melissa has had, and continues to have, in Primera’s success,” explains Primera President & CEO Erin Inman. “Nearly all of Primera’s values are centered around people and relationships, and Melissa is a perfect fit for our organization,” she adds.

Melissa has more than 25 years in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Her expertise was recognized through inclusion among Crain’s Chicago Business 2022 Notable Executives of Color in Finance list and the honor of being named the 2021 Small Private Company CFO of the Year from the Financial Executives International (FEI) Chicago Chapter. She earned her bachelors in management accounting and MBA from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Her contributions extend far beyond her role. She serves as a committed co-chair of Primera’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and is active in organizations across the industry and area. She currently serves on the CFO Leadership Council Steering Committee (previously co-chair of Chicago Chapter); the Advisory Board for CXO NOW, a national organization for executive women; is Board Treasurer for Green City Market overseeing the Finance Committee and sitting on the Executive Committee; is newly elected Board Treasurer for Urban Growers Collective; is Treasurer of the Primera Foundation; and is a member of the Black MBA Association, the Institute of Management Accountants, and Chicago United.