Areatha Clark

Areatha Clark is the Deputy Executive Director and Workforce Development Director at Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments (SLRCOG).

As the leader for the Workforce Development Department, Clark is currently responsible for providing staff support services as the fiscal and administrative agent for over $2.2 million in federal funding for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs that serve Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth. Clark fulfills the responsibilities of Workforce Development Chief by organizing the department and its resources in support of County Chief Elected Officials (CEOs), the Workforce Development Board, and any Contractors providing services to the above agencies and organizations. She also directly oversees bi-annual monitoring/auditing reviews of all contractual agreements implemented to provide WIOA services to ensure compliance with all federal rules and regulations. Clark supervises staff who are directly responsible for oversight and implementation of contractual agreements and program operations for WIOA. On behalf of the Santee-Lynches COG and Workforce Development Board, she is also directly responsible for overseeing SC Works Operations in the four-county region.

She has served at the Santee-Lynches COG since May 1993 and has served in various capacities prior to assuming the role of Workforce Development Director in 2013.
Additionally, Clark became the Local Equal Opportunity (EO) Officer for the Santee-Lynches Local Workforce Development Area in 2017. This position also serves as local liaison to the State WIOA EO Office and ensures equal opportunity and non-discrimination practices/policies are implemented for all customers served through SC Works and Youth programs operated under WIOA.

Furthermore, Clark became the Deputy Executive Director for the Santee-Lynches COG in November of 2019. In this role, Clark helps to facilitate the strategic vision and implementation of all assistance provided to the four-county region, consisting of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter Counties in South Carolina and all of the associated municipalities. She also helps to provide oversight of all staff.

Prior to coming to Santee-Lynches Regional COG, Clark worked in the Graduate Studies Department of the University of South Carolina – Sumter for 1 year after graduating from college.

Clark is a lifetime resident of Sumter. She has one daughter and is a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she is an Elder and advisor with the Children/Youth Ministry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration (Finance Focus) from the University of South Carolina – Aiken, an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) (Management Focus) from Troy University, a Master of Science Degree in Management (International Business) from Troy University, and is Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certified.