Born and raised in NJ, Walter Clarke has lived in South Orange since 1998. He has two children in the SOMA public schools and a wife who is a media and entertainment executive commuting daily via the train. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2013 and comes to the position through his years of volunteer service in local government.

At one time or another he has led the following Committees: 

• Environmental Commission
• Energy Policy Advisory Committee
• Sustainable South Orange Committee
• Community Emergency Response Team

During his career in graphic design and advertising he was an entrepreneurial leader, business owner, and manager, co-founding and running small design businesses that serviced Fortune 500 clients and mom and pop shops alike. He oversaw development of award-winning creative campaigns from concept through completion in a variety of media always with an eye on the bottom line. Walter holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design.

When not reading up on local issues he can be found gardening, biking, or indulging his passion for soccer.