Under the Hard Hat with Barry Jackson II 

At Clark, we are proud to be made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and talents who thrive and succeed together. Our “Under the Hard Hat” series is designed to showcase the diverse people who make up the Clark team.

We recently sat down with Barry Jackson II, a senior safety manager on the Atlanta Plane Train Tunnel West Extension project, to learn about his background, what he enjoys most about working in the construction industry, and what safety means to him. 

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What is your role? What are your responsibilities? 

I serve as the senior safety manager for the Clark/Atkinson/Technique (CAT-JV) joint venture team at the Atlanta Plane Train Tunnel West Extension project. In this role, I oversee the safety operations onsite and ensure safety compliance on the project. 

The CAT-JV team is currently constructing a 700-foot tunnel extension of the Plane Train automated people mover at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States.  

Tell us a little about your background. 

Upon graduating high school, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I had always been intrigued by the construction industry so I started working as a laborer on a water treatment plant project in Atlanta, GA. My father had spent his career as a safety professional in construction.

After spending nearly 3 years as a laborer, I decided to pursue a degree in information studies and computer science at the University of Albany. After graduating, I decided that I wanted to stay in the construction industry and began focusing on safety management like my father. My father and I started a safety consulting business working within the construction, mining, and oil industries for several years to help improve safety on project sites.  

I’ve been with Clark/Atkinson team since 2016 when I moved back to Atlanta to serve as the safety manager for the Atlanta Reservoir project. It ended up being a full 360 for me because the Atlanta Reservoir project was within 3 miles of the water treatment plant where I started my career in construction 12 years before! 

Who have been your strongest influences in life? 

My parents have definitely been the strongest influences in my life.  

My mother is a strong woman who taught me to never be complacent, never be afraid of anything, and that your experiences in life make you who you are.   

My father opened my eyes to the opportunities available in the construction industry, particularly in the world of safety. I saw the impact he had as a safety manager on other people’s lives, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. 

The city of Atlanta recently recognized the Clark/Atkinson/Technique JV team for its commitment to safety. What does this accomplishment mean to you? 

I’m deeply grateful to the City of Atlanta and ATL Next for recognizing the CATJV team for our commitment to safety.

I am so proud of our team for their commitment to safety, which is evident by the project’s safety record - 0 safety incidents, 0 recordables, and 0 lost time incidents. As with all safety initiatives, everyone’s efforts led to this accomplishment. 

Why is taking a relationship-approach to safety so important? 

It’s always easier to make things personal because people will believe in you and know you genuinely care about them. People are more keen to listen and ask questions when you know their names and invest the time in those sidebar conversations. I like to think of myself as a coach and resource rather than the safety police.  

What is the key to being a successful safety leader? 

Being knowledgeable, approachable, coachable, and building relationships above all else.