Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the appointment of Martin Clarke to serve as Director of the Office of Contract Compliance (OCC). Most recently, Clarke served as chief counsel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and also a senior assistant attorney for the City of Atlanta. Mr. Clarke’s appointment is effective immediately.
The OCC is the entity that serves as the administrative authority for the City’s diversity programs. OCC’s databases of certified firms may be accessed on the Office of Contract Compliance Page and can help prime contractors in their search for OCC certified small, minority, and/or female-owned firms for participation in applicable City diversity programs.
“(Clarke) has built a distinguished career and his passion for defending fair practices for women and minority-owned businesses will ensure that there is a level playing field for all persons who wish to do business with the City of Atlanta,” said Mayor Bottoms.
Clarke replaces Larry Scott, who plead guilty to federal charges in September and was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday. Clarke had been serving as of the Office of Contract Compliance’s interim head since September.
Before serving as interim-director of OCC, Clarke served as a Deputy Division Chief in the Law Department for Aviation. Clarke has a long record of victories defending the Equal Business Opportunity Provisions in certification hearings, bid protests and court proceedings assuring fair contracting for women and minority contractors and vendors.
Clarke is a graduate of The George Washington University National Law Center, widely regarded as the nation’s leading government contracts program. Clarke practiced law at a large New York City firm, taught law at New York University, Baruch University and Adelphi University and sat on the Board of Directors for New York’s Make-A-Wish Foundation, Southeast Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors and community charity boards.
