Under the Hard Hat with Vanessa Flores

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.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recently sat down with Vanessa Flores, a benefits systems analyst, to learn about her background, what her Hispanic heritage means to her, and what she enjoys most about working in the construction industry.

Tell us a little bit about your background. 

I was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland for most of my life. I graduated from Towson University where I received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources.

I'm currently working in the human resources department as a benefits systems analyst. As a member of the benefits team, I assist with the administration of the company’s benefits program to ensure the Clark team has the resources available for them and their families to lead healthy, balanced lives.

What do you like most about working in the construction industry? 

I love the tangible nature of the industry. There is something satisfying about watching a project grow from a hole in the ground to a beautiful structure above ground, regardless of whether it is a museum, school, sports arena, or office building. I also love thinking about how our projects are made up of a variety of people performing a series of smaller tasks to deliver something so complex together as a team.

What brought you to Clark?

Growing up, I had many family members (including my father) work for Clark. Quickly after joining the Clark team, I realized that what makes Clark special is its people. Since joining the company in 2018,  I have had the opportunity to work with so many people who I now consider close friends, and I have Clark to thank for that!

Do you have a favorite Clark project? 

The Wilson & The Elm project in Bethesda, Maryland is one of my favorite projects as it was the first one I had a chance to visit as a new hire. I had the opportunity to have my safety orientation there right when the project broke ground more than three years ago. 

It’s been so fun watching the project progress right outside my window!

What do you enjoy most about working in human resources? 

I love being able to connect with so many different people and departments. Whether it's spending time with someone at a regional office or visiting an employee on a jobsite, being able to connect with people and learning about their diverse backgrounds and experiences is what I enjoy most!

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?

My parents have always instilled a strong work ethic, and Hispanic pride in me as a child that I now appreciate as an adult.

Learning Spanish is also another skill my parents passed down that I did not appreciate until I started out in my career. With Hispanics and Latinos making up roughly 30% of the construction industry, it’s been very special being able to connect with and help others that I may not have had the opportunity to if I did not know the language.

What does "Thrive as You, Succeed Together” mean to you?

While we may all come from different backgrounds, when we strive to excel as individuals, we flourish as a team.