Design Achievement Award
College of Design
Established in 1988 to recognize outstanding mid-career creative and professional achievements of alumni in the fields of architecture, art and design, community and regional planning, and landscape architecture

Richard A. Clark

MCP Community and Regional Planning ’79
Des Moines, Iowa

As the Des Moines city manager, Richard A. Clark supervises all city departments and staff, serves as the primary adviser to the city council, and prepares the operating and capital improvements budgets for final approval. He also works on state and federal legislative issues, meets with citizens and neighborhood organizations, directs major economic development initiatives, and is the chief negotiator for city government.

Clark began his career in 1973 and held a number of positions in the city manager’s office and the planning department before being appointed acting city manager in July 2005. Along the way he has recorded a long list of successes. Clark is responsible for all economic development activity, including the rejuvenation of Des Moines’ downtown, which is currently experiencing about $2.9 billion in new public and private construction. He has helped Des Moines achieve a Triple A Bond Rating and managed large-scale natural disasters affecting the city, including the floods of 1993 and 2008.

Clark has two daughters: Laura (Clark) Gibson ’03 and Lindsay Clark.