South Metro Advisory Roundtable with Ricky Clark, City of Forest Park

Join the Council for Quality Growth's South Metro Advisory Roundtable on September 17th at 11:45 AM in-person at the ATL Airport CIDs to hear a City of Forest Park update from City Manager Ricky Clark. 

Ricky Clark
City Manager
City of Forest Park

Ricky, an eminent figure originating from Griffin, Georgia, brings an unparalleled breadth of expertise in executive-level governmental management. Embarking on his public service journey at the prodigious age of 18, Ricky swiftly ascended through pivotal roles, including Assistant to the County Manager of Spalding County and County Clerk, along with other influential positions in Fulton County. His tenure with the City of Jonesboro was marked by extraordinary accomplishments, wherein his leadership not only orchestrated the city’s resurgence but also garnered national acclaim through strategic media engagements and the successful execution of high-profile events.

Ricky’s repertoire of achievements is both expansive and distinguished. He helmed the comprehensive redesign of the City of Jonesboro's website on two separate occasions, initiated an ambitious rebranding campaign, and established the Jonesboro Main Street Program & Downtown Development Authority. His visionary leadership facilitated the successful realization of critical infrastructure projects, such as the $7 million Broad Street Renovation and the $20 million City Center Project. Additionally, Ricky was instrumental in attracting the illustrious restaurant, Slutty Vegan, to the city and in securing an $80,000 Major Study grant, which was pivotal in revitalizing the central business district of Jonesboro.

In May 2023, Ricky was appointed as the City Manager of Forest Park, the largest municipality within Clayton County. Upon assuming this esteemed role, he unveiled a meticulously formulated 100-day action plan, titled "One Forest Park," which delineated a strategic blueprint aimed at optimizing operational efficiency, fostering neighborhood sustainability, and propelling economic development.

Within his inaugural 100 days, Ricky's exemplary leadership resulted in the recovery of over $600,000 in delinquent taxes and fees, the formulation of the most substantial fiscal budget in the city’s history, and significant investments in capital improvement initiatives. His fiscal strategies included a five percent cost-of-living adjustment for all full-time employees and substantial allocations for Public Safety, Public Works, and the city’s senior center. Ricky also introduced groundbreaking initiatives, such as the ONEClick app for streamlined local service requests and the OneLight project, a collaboration with Georgia Power designed to enhance street lighting and improve energy efficiency.

Ricky's commitment to excellence extends far beyond his municipal duties. He is an active member of several prestigious organizations and has been the recipient of numerous accolades that attest to his outstanding contributions to public service. His honors include the 40 Under 40 award from the National Young Government Leaders Association, the "Men of Excellence Award" from the Atlanta Healthcare Association, and the "City Manager of the Year" distinction from the Development Authority of Clayton County and the Georgia Minority Business Awards. Most recently, Ricky was conferred the distinguished title of one of the top 40 under 40 in the United States by Business Elite's Award, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader. Ricky's ethos resonates with the enduring wisdom of Colin Powell: "Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence."