Paul is truly an exceptional leader, and over the course of his impressive career, he’s used his extensive experience and passion for giving back in service of others, both inside and outside the bank,” said Louis R. Cestello, executive vice president and head of PNC’s regional markets.
CLEVELAND, Jan. 14, 2019 – PNC Bank, N.A., has announced that Paul Clark plans to retire as the regional president of the Cleveland market, effective March 31. Clark’s career at PNC spans 43 years. His leadership at PNC and across the Cleveland community has been instrumental in the success of the bank and its thousands of employees and clients across the region. Clark has served as regional president in Cleveland for 14 years, during which time he successfully led the local conversion for PNC’s customers, employees and community partners following its merger with National City. He has served over 24 local non-profits, led a number of successful capital campaigns and spearheaded economic development and advocacy work that continues to make the region a great place to live, work and visit.
“Paul is truly an exceptional leader, and over the course of his impressive career, he’s used his extensive experience and passion for giving back in service of others, both inside and outside the bank,” said Louis R. Cestello, executive vice president and head of PNC’s regional markets. “He is an advocate for our clients and this community who has used his voice and his role to affect positive change, while inspiring and engaging our employees to do the same every day. We are grateful for all of his contributions and for the powerful legacy he leaves behind.”
Clark joined the company in 1976 as a management trainee in Consumer Finance. Since that time he has served in a variety of capacities at PNC’s legacy bank, including executive vice president of Retail Banking in Pennsylvania - where he led the integration of Integra Financial Corporation - and as regional president of Michigan/Illinois. He also held the position of executive vice president of Institutional Asset Management and chair of the Investment Management Company until his appointment as president of Northern Ohio banking in 2004.
Clark’s civic involvement includes a long list of nonprofit organizations and initiatives aimed at serving the community. He spearheaded the 2012 creation of the PNC Fairfax Connection, a community resource center PNC opened to offer free programming specifically designed to meet the needs of the underserved community in Cleveland. Today the center has more than 7,000 members who regularly attend classes and workshops on topics including financial education, job readiness, family engagement, technology and more.
Clark has been instrumental in advocating for expansion of high quality early childhood education, in conjunction with PNC Grow Up Great®, the company’s $350 million initiative to support high-quality pre-K education. Under his leadership, PNC has made over $9.6 million in grants to local organizations working to better prepare children for school and life. In addition, in conjunction with his role as co-chair of Cuyahoga County Invest in Children, Clark led with County Executive Armond Budish a private fundraising effort that raised $13 million in corporate and private donations in just 72 days. Coupled with a $10 million public investment, the funding will allow the county to nearly double the number of children receiving help to attend pre-kindergarten to 4,642.
Clark currently serves on the boards of directors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Musical Arts Association supporting the Cleveland Orchestra, Gordon Square Arts District, Greater Cleveland Partnership, University Circle Inc. and University Hospitals Health Systems Inc.
He has received numerous local honors for his community leadership over the years, including honorary degrees from Tri-C and Baldwin Wallace University, the Levin College In Tribute to Public Service Award (2017), the Boys Hope Girls Hope Pillar Award (2017), United Way Volunteer of the Year (2014), the Kol Israel Humanitarian Award (2014), the Richard H Adler Community Leadership Award (2012), the Business Hall of Fame (2012) and the Diversity Center Humanitarian Award (2009).
Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Denison University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace University. He is also a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking.
Clark’s successor will be named in the coming days.
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
CONTACT:
Kelly Amen
(216) 222-9514
kelly.amen@pnc.com
