Senior Government Relations Manager
Clark Barnes serves as a Senior Government Relations Manager for Orion Strategies’ Charleston Office. Barnes brings several years of experience to Orion Strategies having served as State Senator for the 11th and 15th Senatorial Districts of West Virginia. During his tenure as a state senator Barnes served as the Republican Minority Whip, having a reputation for working closely with both sides of the aisle. Following his service as Senator, Barnes was elected as the Clerk and Administrator of the Senate working closely with Presidents Bill Cole and Mitch Carmichael.
Following a stint with the WV Department of Highways, Barnes volunteered for the US Army and served with the Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir and European US Army Engineer Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. Upon returning to the states, Barnes attended Davis and Elkins College, Elkins WV, receiving an Associates Degree in Business Administration. Barnes was subsequently hired by Underground Technology Development Corporation of Arlington, VA as a project manager for coal, oil and gas permitting.
Barnes later received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and became the Director and CEO of Barnes & Associates, Inc, a hearing healthcare practice. Barnes served as President of General Lee Properties, Inc, a residential construction company and continues to serve as President of Heritage Hills Development Corporation, a family-owned property management company.
In 2021, Barnes was appointed by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to serve on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
Barnes has been an avid soccer fan and has coached and led local programs including Olympic Development and Elkins High School Men’s and Women’s teams.
