Superb Maintenance Supervisor: Tony Clark

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Tony Clark, maintenance supervisor at Lindsey

When a plumbing problem arises or a heating unit overheats, employees at Lindsey State Jail know just who to call.

But Tony Clark, the facility’s maintenance supervisor, does much more than simply fix broken equipment; with a wealth of expertise, a commitment to excellence and a team of quality professionals, Clark works diligently to keep the facility operating smoothly while taking time to help others.

“My job is to maintain the facility and assist with any security-related improvements, cost effectiveness and anything else that can make the facility run better,” says Clark. “I also participate in safety-oriented initiatives and I help train others where I can.”

Clark joined CCA nearly eight years ago and today he has nearly 40 years of experience in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and electrical work. To boot, he’s licensed as a master electrician and as a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor.

“I really push preventive maintenance,” Clark says. “It’s about keeping equipment in good working condition and when something wears out, we fix it. It saves so much money.”

Among his many contributions to CCA, Clark has installed timers on condensing units in six different locations at the facility - that means air conditioning in a given space isn’t operating unless the space is in use. As a result, the facility has saved about $100,000 on maintenance repairs each year.

Along with looking for ways to save company costs, Clark is always working to better himself and his team.

“I try to stay up with changes in technology,” he says. “And at every opportunity, I help my staff get certifications and I encourage them to improve themselves.”

As a result, his team is all the more equipped to do a variety of work.

“We’ve been through refrigeration school so we could be certified to do HVAC work,” says Joey Shewmake, assistant supervisor of Lindsey’s maintenance team. “Tony has also helped our group cross-train so that any of us can step in to complete tasks, whether it’s a plumbing issue, an electrical problem, or something else.”

While educating others, Clark remains mindful that he himself is still learning.

“I was taught to do the job right the first time and if I can’t, to call and ask someone for help,” he says. Now age 60, he’s quick to add, “I’m not too old to ask for help.”

Clark’s drive and dedication are evident to anyone who’s worked with him.

“He’s an excellent employee who helps anybody with any type of problem, and comes up with some really innovative ideas,” says Cole McKennon, warden at Lindsey. “He thinks outside of the box, which truly sets him apart.”

“Tony pays close attention to detail,” says Kathy Garner, maintenance clerk at Lindsey. “He studies things and makes sure he knows what’s going on before he attacks an issue.”

But Clark’s success with facility maintenance doesn’t come from personal proficiency alone – more than anything, he says, it comes from having an highly skilled, dependable team.

“You have to have a good staff and they all have to work like a wagon wheel,” Clark says. “As a supervisor, you’re the hub - the center of it - but if you lose one spoke, then the others have to pick up the load. We do that really well.”

In fact, the team does it so well that they have had zero findings on audits in Clark’s absence, and they consistently earn high audit marks. “Our contract monitors have said that we’re the best maintenance team in their particular region,” Clark says.

Additionally, Clark trains inmates at Lindsey and occasionally travels to other facilities to lend a hand and learn something new in the process.

His willingness to assist is backed by a simple philosophy: “If I can teach and help somebody - young or old - once they get better than me I can say I taught that person, I helped him or her.”

By DeAndra Mack

Sound Out

Linda Sevison at Idaho Correctional Center:

Congratulations to Mr. Clark and his maintenance team. It's great to see a team concept that works so well. When we continue to improve ourselves, our facilities also benefit.