Bob Clark Beyond: Inspiration

latest inspiration posts

Congratulations to Shawn and Crain’s 40u40 Winners!

If there is anything that we need more of across industries and communities, it is passionate people who are working to improve our world. Luckily, there is no shortage of these talented individuals, many of whom are featured on Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 under 40 list – including my son Shawn! Crain’s nominates 40 innovators who have made a mark on their industries and the city of Chicago with no end in sight. It is an amazing recognition demonstrating the importance of emphasizing evolution, diversity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Since Shawn and I started working together, I have watched him lead Clayco’s booming real estate development arm, CRG.

October’s Inspiration of the Month: Chuck Feeney, A Testament to the Power of Selflessness

Businessman and philanthropist Chuck Feeney passed away on October 9th. He was best known for co-founding Duty-Free Shoppers (DFS) with Robert Miller in 1960. DFS grew to be one of the world's largest luxury retailers, catering primarily to travelers and making Feeney a billionaire in the process. However, what made him particularly notable and admired was not his business success but his unique approach to philanthropy.

2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Penn’s RVCL Research Center

Congratulations to Katalin Karikó, PhD, and Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, for receiving the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine! Their revolutionary work has paved the way for the development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, showcasing the significant strides science can achieve. Their research, carried out at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, has changed the course of global health.

Communities Powered by the Cloud

I often post about the Cloud, and people ask me, “What is it?” While I could explain that the energy that powers our technology comprises over half a million miles of undersea cables, hundreds of exchange points, around 8,000 data centers, and more, it may be easier to show you.

September's Subcontractor of the Month: KONE

The most remarkable projects are developed through strategic partnerships that achieve exceptional results. Clayco prides itself on partnering with the best in business to embody the Art & Science of Building, and KONE is a great example of how our extended team of subcontractors helps us accomplish that. KONE is a proven global technology leader in the elevator and escalator industry. The company provides elevators, escalators, automatic building doors, and solutions for maintenance and modernization and aims to improve the flow of urban life. Clayco and KONE are devoted to safety, diversity, strong company cultures, and expertise that brings the most powerful projects to life.

LJC’s PopCourts! Project Earns Urban Design Award

Constructing spaces that foster community growth and connection is crucial to creating a sense of belonging that leads to stronger, more resilient communities. Clayco’s partner company, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, has done an excellent job building beyond these walls into the neighborhoods where we operate to deliver PopCourts! – a “small plaza that turned into a movement” – which won an Honor Award in Urban Design from the 2023 ASLA Professional Awards.

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I have always had an insatiable curiosity

What causes me to get out of bed every morning is driven by inspiration. Ever since I was a little boy, I was inspired by my insatiable curiosity, which caused me to be a reader, a thinker, and a dreamer.

I can remember being inspired by seeing Bobby Kennedy on TV and watching videotapes of Martin Luther King Jr., and being deeply saddened by their assassination even though I was only 10 years old when I experienced all of this.

As a little boy, rocket flight was a big thing. I remember being fascinated by the moon and the stars and the astronauts exploring them.As humans we are achieving remarkable things that only a handful of years before were just in the imagination.