Alfred James Clark Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Rise of a Construction Titan

Born on December 2, 1927 in Richmond, Virginia, Alfred James Clark moved with his family to the Washington, D.C. region when he was a young boy.  Raised in modest circumstances — his father worked in insurance — Clark’s early years were grounded in values of discipline and humility. 

Clark pursued civil engineering at University of Maryland (UMD), hitchhiking daily from his home in Bethesda to attend classes in College Park.  After earning his degree in 1950, Clark accepted a job as a field engineer at George Hyman Construction Company — a firm with roots going back to 1906. 

Clark’s ascent through the company hierarchy was marked by relentless work ethic. Early in his career, he would rise before dawn to inspect job sites in person — a habit that cemented his reputation among colleagues.  Over the next two decades, he transformed a modest local builder into one of the nation’s most influential construction empires. In 1969 he became president of George Hyman Construction.  In 1977 he founded a subsidiary, OMNI Construction, which later merged with the parent company to form Clark Construction Group. 

Under Clark’s stewardship, Clark Construction Group expanded far beyond its regional roots. The firm delivered a sweeping portfolio — from metro stations and federal buildings to arenas, stadiums and major institutional projects — reshaping skylines and communities across the United States. 

Building an Empire — and a Legacy

Clark’s approach to building was as much philosophical as practical. He believed in quality over shortcuts. Early in his career, he championed the adoption of tower cranes — then a new technology — to reduce build times and labor costs. That decision helped position his firm as an industry innovator. 

Projects under his leadership include civic landmarks, major sporting facilities, government headquarters and large-scale transit infrastructure. From Washington’s skyscrapers and metro stations to cultural institutions and national-scale developments, Clark’s footprint is woven deeply into the urban fabric. 

Beyond physical construction, Clark built an organization rooted in values — integrity, fairness, and opportunity. He insisted on hiring people with character, and provided training, mentorship and growth opportunities. Even into his later years, he maintained a hands-on presence, visiting jobsites and engaging with employees directly.

But perhaps his greatest legacy lies not only in concrete and steel — but in giving back.

Philanthropy: Investing in Minds, Not Just Mortar

Clark believed that success carried responsibility. Time and again, he said that “if you make your money in a community, you have an obligation to give back.” 

One of his most enduring gifts went to his alma mater, the University of Maryland. His contributions helped transform its engineering school, which was later renamed the A. James Clark School of Engineering in his honor. 

Through the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, he established scholarship programs at multiple institutions aimed at nurturing future engineering talent based on merit, need and diversity. His influence thus extended well beyond building structures — he helped build opportunity and potential for generations of students.

Financial Standing — The Billionaire Builder

At the time of his death, Clark’s wealth was widely reported to be in the billions. Estimates vary slightly depending on source, but several place his net worth in the range of approximately US$1.4 billion.  Other outlets, using similar data, estimated around US$1.5 billion. 

That wealth derived overwhelmingly from his leadership of Clark Construction and related enterprises. As chairman and CEO of Clark Enterprises, Inc. — the holding company for his investments — Clark oversaw business interests spanning construction, real estate, private equity, and more. 

Personal Life & Relationships — A Quiet Private Sphere

In 1950 — the same year he graduated from university — Clark married Alice Bratton. The couple raised three children together.  Their family home was in Vero Beach, Florida.

Though Clark amassed vast wealth and built iconic structures, he remained modest, low-profile, and humble. Public accolades rarely defined him — he held dear values of integrity, honesty, and treating people with dignity. As many who knew him attested, he cared about people as much as projects. 

The Final Chapter — Legacy Carved in Stone and Scholarship

Alfred James Clark passed away on March 20, 2015, of congestive heart failure.  His departure marked the end of a personal story, but the beginning of a legacy that continues through buildings, institutions, and lives changed by his philanthropy.

Today, when students walk through halls at the A. James Clark School of Engineering, or glass-walled offices that dot major cities, or metro stations and civic centers built by his company — they walk through the lasting imprint of a man who started as a humble engineer and rose to become one of America’s most influential builders.

Why Alfred James Clark Matters

Clark’s story resonates because it blends ambition with humility, success with responsibility, and concrete results with human impact. In an age where corporate giants can feel detached or impersonal, Clark stood out for remembering that construction is not just about buildings — but communities, opportunity, and human potential.

Whether one considers net worth, business acumen, philanthropic reach or cultural footprint — Alfred James Clark remains a paragon of what it means to build, to give, and to leave a lasting mark on the world.