Catching up with… Chris Clark
Chris Clark has led the Georgia chamber since 2010.
The Georgia native previously served as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and executive director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. In 2023, Clark published his first book, The CEO Imperative: Faith Based Service in a Toxic World. Following are edited highlights from an interview.
Chris Clark, president and CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit: Brandon Clifton.
Senate Bills 68 and 69 recently passed as an overhaul of civil litigation. Why is this important?
This is the 20th anniversary of … Georgia’s [2005] tort reform bill. As Gov. [Brian] Kemp saw, these bills are necessary due to the changing dynamic of Georgia’s judicial system – with runaway jury verdicts, loss of insurers, the rise of frivolous lawsuits and third-party litigation. Those have impacted [Georgia’s] ability to attract and keep companies and small businesses. The hope with these two bills is that we’ll see a reduction in those kinds of out-of-control jury verdicts [and] a stabilization of both the insurance market and of medical malpractice rates. In particular, this would help rural Georgia communities where they’ve really struggled to attract doctors.
The Coolest Thing Made in Georgia, a competition highlighting companies based in the state, launches this month. Tell us more.
As we traveled the state listening to our members, we learned two important things: No. 1 is the need to ensure that young Georgians understand the importance of entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and staying in Georgia. We need to get them excited about innovation.
Second, we have so many companies in Georgia or creators in Georgia who are making incredible products that folks don’t know about. The Coolest Thing competition, which some other states have done, is a way to raise the profile of Georgia companies and inspire the next generation of makers, builders and creators. People will nominate or enter their favorite Georgia-made movie, car [or] biotech product into social media brackets. Public voting will be throughout the summer while we’ll highlight the companies. There are so many stories to tell about what Georgia businesses are doing.
Tell us about the Global Business subcommittee to support Georgia’s agriculture, business and industry partners.
Globally, we’re in the middle of an ongoing discussion on tariffs, free trade, Georgia’s farmers and more. Our ports and [Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport] rely on a vibrant, open and global trade system that Georgia has really benefited from. We’ve also benefited from the fact that we can have foreign manufacturers relocate to Georgia. Because we don’t want to see any artificial barriers … go up to inhibit that growth, we felt it was important to create a new subcommittee of the chamber for those men and women involved in international trade. They can share best practices, network and work with our consul general corps and the Department of Economic Development. And we can go to Washington and advocate on their behalf of what’s good for Georgia.
How does the state’s ongoing commitment to free trade relate to the opening of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County?
We’ve seen Hyundai invest in battery manufacturing in Georgia, and obviously the Metaplant. Those types of relationships exist because of free trade and our ability to build long-term relationships. … One reason Hyundai wanted to be close to Savannah and Brunswick is to be near the busy ports. That whole logistics industry in Georgia is just absolutely critical for our long-term prosperity as a state, particularly for rural communities in Georgia. Hyundai is the best example of reshoring and bringing foreign investors into the state to make American-made cars here in Georgia. It’s just as important as our ability for Georgia farmers to sell their products in Turkey and Japan.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
In January, we launched our new strategic plan, Georgia|2050. It’s our longest outlook, detailing how we plan on continuing to help Georgia be the best place to live, work, play and pray.
