Matt Clarke- President
After a long line of jobs where I really dug my hands in and learned several trades, I started Clarke Contractors in 1997. My education in the industry came from many years of experience, which is the best and hardest teacher. My experience and work ethic quickly made me a successful business man, because I have both common sense and I know my business well. It wasn’t long before Clarke Contractors had grown so much that I realized I needed help in the business. I went to my brother Jason Clarke for that help. I knew his educational background and shared work ethic would bring the perfect balance to our business and would help the business thrive even further.

I have been certified from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification in the areas of Water Damage Restoration, Fire & Smoke Restoration, and Odor Control. I am also a certified mold technician by the I.O.T and have also been certified in mold awareness as well as being a certified lead renovator through the E.P.A.
I am very proud of the employees of Clarke Contractors. Everyone here has a unique position and brings their own qualities to our company. Because of the talented and hardworking individuals we employ and the system we run here, our customers get impeccable service that is second to none.

My number one job here at Clarke Contractors is to ensure all of our customers are completely satisfied throughout the entire process of their project.  I am also one of six estimators here in our company.  I typically handle the larger losses, primarily fire damage.  That means I am on site shortly after a fire has devastated a home or business. I am usually talking with owners that are in a state of shock, panic, or just plain disbelief. Our customers need to see immediate action to feel any sense of relief, and that is exactly what they get from Clarke Contractors. In this industry most estimators are shirt and tie salesmen that couldn’t hammer a nail if they had to. I’m not, nor would I ever want to be, a professional salesman, and I’ve done nothing but hammer nails my entire life.  Our customers don’t need a fancy sales pitch, they need a job done. To me there is no greater feeling than being able to communicate to a customer what we are going to do for them, and then follow through every step of the way.  To me, that’s a feeling money can’t buy.

Jason Clarke- Vice President
In June 2000, my brother Matt came to me, very persistently, and asked if I would help him manage his accounting for his company  If I remember correctly, he had a handful of Home Depot and Lowe’s receipts, a pile of unopened mail, and what almost looked like a checkbook.  He started Clarke Contractors, Inc. a couple years back and was getting busy.  Incorporating late in 1999 Clarke Contractors was officially born.

With my degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati I began my career at Clarke Contractors, Inc.  Before this I was following my entrepreneurial spirit in a business I started out of College.  I opened a wholesale furniture business. This is where I really got my feet wet.  I learned the ins and outs of the day to day operation of a small business. All the book knowledge I learned at UC was finally paying off.  While at the University of Cincinnati, I co-op for General Electric.  I was in the lighting division and was responsible for the retail grocery accounts. High School and home was in West Chester where I played Baseball for Lakota.

My working career started at the age of 15 in the summer when I worked for $3.15 per hour at Arby’s. I continued to work for Arby’s to pay my way through college.  This is also where I was introduced to my Wife of 11 years.  We fell in love over a curly fry; it’s the big joke in our family. We have three children, Ben 7, Maddie 5, and Baby Ethan was born on New Year’s Day 2010.  Almost got the free diapers.

I was born with a tumor on the left kidney the size of a golf ball. Thank god I have no memory of this. After numerous surgeries and one less kidney I have been cancer free since I was five weeks old. I devote my life to my family first, then my work. I am proud of our success at Clarke Contractors and am looking forward to the day when my children ask me for their first job.

Ken Cash- Estimator
I have been a member of the Clarke Contractors team since October 2005.  During my tenure, I have worked diligently as a Project Manager while also contributing to Clarke’s marketing efforts.  I have been involved in construction my entire life. I earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati.  After graduation in 1997, I worked for nine years as a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Financial Group.  I am certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification in the areas of Water Damage Restoration and Fire & Smoke Restoration and received Restoration Contractors Subrogation Training. I am also a Certified Renovator.  My love and enthusiasm for my career shines through most when working with customers.  I lead the pack for return customers.  I know the value obtaining a customer for life.

I currently reside in Liberty Township with wife Patty, our five year old son and dog Baylee. My personal time is devoted to my family, boating and fishing.

Jodi Haussler- Office Manager
I have been the Office Manager with Clarke Contractors, Inc since November 2008. I am responsible for all the Accounting and Human Resources duties. I also make sure that all of our training is up to date and that we are compliant with all State and Local departments. I have over 17 years of Accounting experience but when I came here I had so much more to learn. I love the challenge of the restoration business. There are so many different aspects that it almost changes daily. One of my favorite things about working at Clarke Contractors, Inc is that we help people when they really need us. I like that we can help them get their house back to being a home.

 

I live in Fairfield, OH with my husband and two sons. I love to volunteer in my community and read. I am a diehard Cincinnati Reds fan and will always bleed scarlet and gray.

Jeff Mauser- Project Manager
Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Estimator, Emergency Technician

Hello my name is Jeff Mauser and as a member of the Clarke Contractors team I work in a number of areas. I spend a great deal of time marketing to get the word out about Clarke Contractors and what we can do to help you overcome your property remediation and restoration needs.

I probably spent an equal amount of time in project management. In this capacity I will work with you, your agent, the building inspectors and other agencies to ensure that the work goes smoothly and progresses as quickly as possible. I also will be your point of contact while in the project management role. I will deal with all of the scheduling of materials,  sub contractors, and logistics.

Like the estimators on our staff I also write estimates for the repairs to your property. This goes hand in hand with my responsibilities as an Emergency Technician. While taking care of an emergency I can gather the necessary information to write your estimate. Like the rest of our team I will do what it takes to help you get back in your home as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

Steve Follick- Estimator
I am originally from Okeana, Ohio, where I lived for 19 years until I enlisted in the Army.  I had requested to be stationed close to home and that didn’t happen.  I ended up being stationed the furthest place I could from Cincinnati, Seattle, Washington.  I spent the next 14 years there, the last 9 as a paratrooper.  After I got out of the Army, I moved back to Cincinnati and traveled around building hotels for a couple years and then I got into restoration. I am certified in Fire, Smoke, and Odor with the IICRC, Disaster certified with DKI, as well as subrogation trained.

Restoration kind of ties into to my fascination with storms, I have been a storm nut for as long as I can remember. When I was 5 years old I looked out the window and seen a weird cloud. When I said something to my mother, she looked out the window, grabbed me and my sister and headed towards the cellar. She stopped just long enough to call my father who owned a store / garage at the other side of town. My father’s store took a direct hit, but he had enough time to get everybody to safety. From that time on I have been fascinated with spring storms.

I have 3 grown children. My oldest is currently in Afghanistan. I am engaged and my fiance has 2 children.

In my personal time you will find me either at the drag strip or trying new chili or rib recipes. In the fall, I am either at Colerain watching my Cardinals or in Terre Haute, Indiana watching Indiana State.

Mike Mercer- Project Manager
I  became a member of the Clarke Contractors, Inc. family in 2010.  I am a true Buckeye being born in Toledo and moving at the ripe age of 9 months to Cincinnati and living here ever since.  After graduation from Forest Park High School, I enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer. After serving our country I started working as a carpenter assistant until joining the Cincinnati Police Department.  During my years with the Department I attended Cincinnati State University working toward an associate of Criminal Justice. During those years my hobby was restoring and rehabbing houses, building decks, and remodeling basements.  After 12 years on the force I decided to follow my construction instincts and began working in the high end remodeling/residential sector as a carpenter/crew leader. I eventually went to the commercial construction business and did everything from form-carpenter to finish trimmer.  I seem to have gotten what skills I have the old fashion way by getting in the trenches and getting my hands dirty. I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to work with these skilled, professional team members and learn from their vast experiences and knowledge to effectively serve our clients and our company.

 

I am currently divorced and share custody of my two children, a son, Nakoda, who is 16 and a daughter, Jacelyn, who is 12. Both of whom are miracle children.  I believe that a happy life starts with both the people you have in your personal life and the people in your professional life. My life just got happier.

Jessica Lehman- Executive Assistant
I am a single mother of a son, James; he is the joy of my life. We currently live in Cincinnati. I attended William Henry Harrison High School and graduated in 2002. I have a diploma in Forensic Science and certified in Diamonds and Colored Stones.

I have been with Clarke Contractors, Inc since 2010. I am the executive assistant in the office. I answer phones, take in new jobs, and help out the others in the office.  I enjoy the work that I do and enjoy working with the other team members. I am looking forward to what the future brings working here at Clarke Contractors.

In my personal time, I home school my son, attend his soccer, martial arts, and wrestling meets. I also read, go out dancing, go to the race track(s), and try to escape to Chicago or Cedar Point when I can.

Ben Clark- Estimator

I joined the Clarke team in August of 2011.  I grew up in Covington, Ohio until I left for college in 2001 and attended The Ohio University in Athens.   I studied Industrial Technology and Business while there and landed a job for Cargill after my tenure in Athens.

 

I moved to Cincinnati in the spring of 2007 and currently reside in Amelia.  I worked for an animal control company here in Cincinnati for 4 years.  That job taught me the value of quality repairs and customer service.  After working with animals and doing repairs on homes, I started working with a roofing company as a salesman.  With years of experience working with home and business owners behind me, I know how important quality construction is.

My role is to help develop the Dayton area by acquiring relationships and referrals.  I also spend time on roofs evaluating damage caused by Mother Nature, along with siding and gutters.  I have taken the Texas Department of Insurance All Lines Adjuster Course which has proved to be extremely beneficial.  It has allowed me to travel to the Carolinas adjusting hail claims earlier this year.

I married in 2008 and have a little girl named Ava that keeps us both on our toes.  In what spare time I manage to acquire, I enjoy being in the outdoors camping, fishing and deer hunting.

 

 

Keith Sams- WRT, ASD, CMT, OCT, HST, RRT, FRST, Journeyman Water Restorer

I am a new member of Clarke Contractors, Inc. from Miamisburg, Ohio. I attended Madison High school and graduated in 1996. I have attended certification classes at the University of Cincinnati and various other training facilities for the Clean Trust.

I have been a member of the Clarke Contractors team since 2011. I have been in the water restoration and fire cleaning business for over 13 years. My certifications include:

• Water Restoration Technician (WRT)
• Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
• Certified Mold Technician (CMT)
• Odor Control Technician (OCT)
• Health and Safety Technician (HST)
• Carpet Repair and Reinstall Technician (RRT)
• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician (FRST)
• Journeyman Water Restorer

In my personal time, I love to spend time in the great outdoors with my family and friends. You can find me hunting, fishing, or just hanging out in the sun on the weekends.

 

Jerry Zorn- Estimator

I put myself through college working for my uncles’ remodeling company and have been involved with construction since high school summer days. I’ve been handling the insurance side of construction repair work since 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have water and fire certifications through the IICRC and I am also a certified mold remediator through the IAQA. I have been trained by WSA in subrogation and hold a property and casualty license with the State of Ohio. I’m comfortable getting up a ladder and have been described as a circus monkey on a roof. I enjoy working with my hands and have an eye for the details. I support the Clarke team estimating large loss projects and production.

I’m a Kentucky resident and graduated from Boone County High School in 1988 and then attended Northern Kentucky University, where I played for the Men’s soccer team.  I still play and coach my two young sons who play soccer competitively. I also have a teenage daughter who thinks she’s the boss.  I referee high school soccer in the fall and play Poker at any opportunity. I run and exercise regularly and have been known to throw a mean cornhole game.

 

Joe Heidelberg- Project Manager

Hello my name is Joe Heidelberg and I am both excited and honored to be the newest member of the Clarke Contractor family. Before joining Clarke Contractors in August of 2012, I worked for one of the largest custom home builders in the Greater Cincinnati area. Working as a Project Coordinator, I managed and estimated current and future projects while focusing on and expanding the company’s local marketing presence.

I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management in 2010. Born and raised in the Cincinnati area I have always enjoyed building things and fixing things since I was a child. I work hard every day to make sure every customer is satisfied and look forward to working with each customer through-out the construction process.

In my spare time, I am a diehard Cincinnati Reds and Bearcats fan. I enjoy watching and attending games for both teams. I also enjoy playing golf, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with my wife.