Stan Clark, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduated from Oklahoma State University in May of 1975 with a BS degree in Business Administration. Stan is married to Shannon Clark, and is the proud father of three, Maguire, age 9, and twins Gabi and Hudson, ages 7.
Clark had a mere $1200 to his name when childhood friend Steve File suggested he might open a bar. Clark eagerly chimed in, “I’ll go in partners with ya!” and the two opened Eskimo Joe’s on July 21, 1975. Clark was 22 years old at the time. From the most humble beginnings, Clark has built a restaurant and retail brand that has gained national, even international notoriety.
After two-and-a-half years as partners, Clark bought File’s half interest to become the sole proprietor of Eskimo Joe’s. The bar business was good, and Eskimo Joe’s sold a lot of T-shirts beginning Day One that put smiles on the chests of those patrons and generated lots of word-of-mouth advertising.
Stillwater Bay was opened in 1984 at the edge of the OSU campus. In 1986 it relocated downtown at the corner of Seventh and Main where it operated until June 2005. Mexico Joe’s opened in 1987. It was wildly successful in its original location and in 2004 Clark expanded it by building a new facility on Hall of Fame.
Eskimo Joe’s opened their first retail location, Joe’s Clothes World Headquarters, in the fall of 1987. Still located next door to the original Eskimo Joe’s building, Joe’s Clothes sport the famous smiling Eskimo and his loyal canine companion, Buffy. Eskimo Joe’s Clothes have been spotted all around the globe and have been featured on television, in movies, magazines, and newspapers. On November 28, 1988, the Tulsa World described Eskimo Joe’s T-shirts as one of the most collectible in the country, second only to the Hard Rock Cafe.
Beginning in 1990, Eskimo Joe’s Clothes began their own screenprinting operations. In addition, Eskimo Joe’s cheese fries became the restaurant’s signature item when President George Herbert Walker Bush endorsed them during his May, 1990 commencement address at Oklahoma State University. Sixteen years later in 2006, President George W. Bush told the commencement audience at Boone Pickens Stadium that Laura was disappointed she couldn’t join him on his trip to Stillwater, especially when she heard that he had planned a “romantic dinner for two at Eskimo Joe’s.
In 1993, Governor David Walters appointed Clark to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation commission. He was reappointed by Governor Frank Keating twice and served for nearly nine years under three governors.
Clark opened Joseppi’s Italian Kitchen in May 2000 next door to Mexico Joe’s and in September of 2002, Clark incorporated his latest operating company, Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group. Unlike all of the retail operations, this is a direct-selling business model that utilizes an outside sales team and provides terrific graphic design, creative and screenprinting services, as well as a full-line offering of promotional products.
Clark credits all of his companies’ successes to the people who create the magic every day for their guests. “Our people truly are our business,” he has said for years. “We should create a good feeling with every interaction with every guest, everyday!” Clark takes great pride in the way the company treats its people, espousing that they should fully expect that the company would treat them as well as the company hopes they would treat its very best customers. The company’s guiding light is its Vision of Greatness, which that was developed with the management team in 1990. With an annual payroll of over $5,000,000, the Stan Clark Companies employ around 500 people at any one time.
One of the company’s legacies is their support of the Stillwater community, particularly the Stillwater Area United Way. Eskimo Joe’s has sponsored and hosted the Juke Joint Jog for more than twenty years and has been the been the title sponsor of the Three Amigo’s United Way Golf Classic for sixteen years. They’ve sponsored or contributed to the Special Olympics of OK, the Stillwater Public Education Foundation, the Coaches vs Cancer program, the OSU College of Education, and various other OSU departments or programs, including the South Entry Plaza of Boone Pickens Stadium. Additionally, over $13,000 has been donated in product to schools, social organizations, and events within Oklahoma. The associates at the Stan Clark Cos. have contributed countless hours and lots of talent to these and many other worthy causes. Clark is proud of his organization’s record of philanthropy and feels that they’re just getting started when it comes to creating a better city and state in which to raise his young family.
John joined the Stan Clark Companies family in 1985 as the first administrative employee ever hired. His responsibilities over the last several years have been focused on Eskimo Joe’s Clothes and he has served as the Vice President of all the Stan Clark Cos. – Eskimo Joe’s, Eskimo Joe’s Clothes, Mexico Joe’s, Joseppi’s Italian Kitchen and Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group for the last 16 years. In January 2011, John was named the President of all the Stan Clark Companies.
Originally from Oklahoma City, OK, John received his Accounting Degree from Oklahoma State University in 1979, his MBA from OSU in 1981 and his CPA in Oklahoma in 1983.
John stays active in the Stillwater community having served on the Stillwater Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Board, United Way Board, CASA Board, helping with the Stillwater Area United Way’s Juke Joint Jog and Stillwater’s Three Amigo’s Golf Classic and coaching little league sports.
John and his wife, Kelli, have 3 children, Hunter, Hayden and Tanner.
John joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in 2002. Prior to working for EJPPG, John worked at Eskimo Joe’s Clothes from 1995 – 1998 and at Stan Clark Companies business office from 1998 – 2002. He works in our Tulsa office.
John’s favorite part about his job is that there is something new everyday.
He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1998 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance. For several years, John has attended the PPAI National Convention in Las Vegas and taken several industry specific courses while at the convention.
Born in Chickasha, he grew up in Anadarko and has lived in Tulsa since 2005. In his spare time, John enjoys playing the guitar, listening to music, training his dog, Cash, and hanging out with friends.
Jim joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in 2002. He has more than 30 years experience in the promotional products industry.
Originally from Pawnee, OK, Jim grew up in Tulsa, OK. Jim opened the first EJPPG office outside of Stillwater in Tulsa, OK, located at 71st & Yale.
His favorite part about his job is seeing a smile on the face of clients when they see the finished product they have ordered from EJPPG. He wants the finished product to be one they are proud of and one that helps enhance the company or organization’s image.
Jim graduated from Oklahoma State University with a double major in Political Science and Economics. He also attended the University of Tulsa Law School. Jim has participated in over 15 ASI and 5 PPAI workshops.
In his spare time, Jim volunteers doing mission work and serving on the board of directors for a few charities. He enjoys working out and playing golf. Jim also loves music and is a member of the band, Easy Street.
Jim is the proud parent of 2 sons and has 2 granddaughters.
Anthony was the very first employee of Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group when it opened its doors in 2002. He has more than 24 years of experience in sales and 8 years experience in the promotional products industry.
Anthony’s favorite part about his job is the friends he has made with the people he works with at EJPPG and his clients.
Born and raised in Stillwater, OK, Anthony graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in both Business and Marketing. Anthony and his wife, Sharla, have two kids, Zach and Alison. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Les joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in May 2006. Originally from Anadarko, OK, Les now lives in Edmond, OK.
Les’ favorite thing about his job is the relationships he has built with his clients. He says now they aren’t just his clients, but his personal friends.
He attended the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. In addition to attending the PPAI National Convention for the last 4 years, Les is also a PPAI Advocate. The PPAI Advocate Program is designed to train promotional products professionals on how to make presentations to business groups about the power of promotional products and the importance of distributors as effective marketing resources.
In his spare time, Les enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves fishing, hunting, camping and playing golf.
Sharon joined the Eskimo Joe's Promotional Products Group family in October 2010. She brings with her over 15 years of experience in the promotional products industry.
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Sharon lives in Tulsa and works out of EJPPG's Tulsa office.
Her favorite part about her job is having the opportunity to be creative and work with a wide variety of clients in different industries.
Sharon attended Tulsa Community College and Central Piedmont in North Carolina where she studied business and finance.
In her spare time, she enjoys making jewelry, volunteering her time for her favorite local charities and has a soft spot in her heart for animals.
Jodi joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in September 2004. Prior to working for EJPPG, she worked in the accounting department for Stan Clark Companies.
Jodi says the best part about her job is the people. She enjoys both the clients and her co-workers and says the relationships she has built are priceless.
She has a degree from Oklahoma State University in Agricultural Business. Jodi has attended 6 PPAI and ASI industry shows.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids and attending their activities, going to the movies and hanging out with friends.
Originally from Stillwater, OK, Jodi has two kids, Brennan and Anna.
Beth joined the Eskimo Joe's Promotional Products Group team in October 2011.
Prior to joining the team, Beth was the Director of Communications for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City and an Account Executive for Saxum Public Relations. She attended the University of Oklahoma majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations.
Beth is passionate about helping others market and brand their company. Her favorite part is simply making clients happy.
She enjoys cooking, playing with her nieces and nephews and relaxing with her three dogs - Lucy, Barbara and Red Dog.
Mikhael joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in December 2008. Prior to working for EJPPG, Mikhael was the Director of Public Relations for Stan Clark Companies from 1998 – 2007.
Her favorite part about working at EJPPG is the relationships she has made with her coworkers and clients. She also enjoys researching promotional product and apparel ideas for clients.
Born in Tyler, Texas, Mikhael grew up in Tulsa, OK, and moved to Stillwater in 1994 to attend Oklahoma State University. She graduated from OSU in 1998 with a degree in Journalism/Broadcasting with a special emphasis in Public Relations.
Earlier this year Mikhael attended the PPAI National Convention in Las Vegas and participated in several industry specific courses while at the convention.
In her spare time, she enjoys watching OSU football and basketball games and spending time with her family and friends. Mikhael and her husband, Chad, have two dogs, Lucy and Leon.
Sally joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in 2008 and works in our Tulsa, OK office.
Her favorite part about her job at EJPPG is the clients and her co-workers.
Sally attended the PPAI National Convention in Las Vegas earlier this year and participated in several industry specific courses while at the convention. She has also attended many PPAI and ASI tabletop shows.
Originally from Jenks, OK, Sally has 2 daughters and is the proud grandmother of 5 grandkids. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with her family.
Jenna joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in November 2005. Although she left the company in April 2009 to move back to her home state of California, Jenna rejoined the company in February 2010 and works in our Tulsa, OK office.
Jenna’s favorite part about her job is the people she works with. She enjoys the family atmosphere and getting to help EJPPG’s clients succeed in marketing their business or organization.
She is currently attending St. Gregory's University and pursuing a degree in Business Management. Jenna has attended 3 PPAI National Conventions in Las Vegas, as well as the ISS in Dallas where she learned about the latest apparel trends in our industry.
Jenna spends most of her free time on homework, but also enjoys spending time with friends, being out in the sun and shopping.
She has 2 nieces, Makaila and Madysen, and one nephew, JJ.
Darren first joined the company in 2002, where he worked in the art department for Stan Clark Companies. He provided art support to all of the internal organizations, including Eskimo Joe’s, Mexico Joe’s, Joseppi’s Italian Kitchen and Eskimo Joe’s Clothes, as well as Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group. In 2008, he became an employee of EJPPG and provides art support to all of EJPPG’s clients.
Darren’s favorite part about his job is everything – he loves it all.
Darren is a 1992 graduate of The Art Institute of Dallas and has a degree in Visual Communications. He attended the ASI Show in Longbeach in 2005 and 2007. Darren has also served as a professor's aid for oil painting studio and figure drawing classes from 1998 - 2003, under Professor Marty Avrett at Oklahoma State University. In 1999, 2003 & 2005, he traveled to Italy for plein air landscape painting and was an art exhibition participant. From 2006 - 2008, he was the owner of Maine Art Studio and currently has work on display at the Pearl Art Gallery in Tulsa, OK.
Originally from Perry, OK, Darren enjoys working in the yard and spending time with his family in his spare time.
Darren and his love, Monica, are the proud parents of their son, Aker.
Nathan first joined the company in April 2005, where he worked in the art department for Stan Clark Companies. He provided art support to all of the internal organizations, including Eskimo Joe’s, Mexico Joe’s, Joseppi’s Italian Kitchen and Eskimo Joe’s Clothes, as well as Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group. In 2008, he became an employee of EJPPG and provides art support to all of EJPPG’s clients.
His favorite part about his job is doing what he loves and working with good friends.
Nathan has a degree in Graphic Design from Oklahoma State University. In 2007, he attended the ASI Show in Longbeach. Nathan has also taken drawing classes at The Philbrook Museum and Maine Art Studios.
Originally from Pawnee, OK, Nathan enjoys riding his bike, traveling and spending time with his family.
Nathan and his fiancée, Bri, are the proud parents of their son, Martigan.
Penny joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in 2004 after moving to Stillwater from Tulsa, OK. Prior to working for EJPPG, Penny worked for 12 years at the Riverside/Jones Airport for Oklahoma State University distinguished alum, Ray Booker.
Her favorite part about working at EJPPG is being a part of the entire company’s family atmosphere and the flexibility her position allows her so that she can attend her children’s school activities and do volunteer work for the community.
Raised in Claremore, OK, Penny enjoys watching her daughters play sports, reading books and spending time with her family in her spare time.
Penny and her husband, Dan, have two daughters, Jenkyns and Piper.
Bill first joined the company in 1994 working for Eskimo Joe’s Clothes Production Facility. He was promoted to assistant manager in 1995, production manager in 1999 and facilities manager in 2006.
Bill’s favorite thing about his job is watching a product develop from an idea to a finished product and then seeing the client’s reaction to the execution we provide to make that happen.
Born in Tulsa, OK, Bill went to school in Collinsville, OK, and moved to Stillwater in 1989 to attend Oklahoma State University. He has lived in Stillwater ever since.
In his spare time, Bill is a singer for a local band, 4th Order. They write songs and perform shows all over Oklahoma as well as Texas, Kansas and Arkansas.
Bill and his wife, Kimberly, actually met at Eskimo Joe’s and have two daughters, Natalie and Kendall. He enjoys playing video games with his oldest daughter, Natalie, and watching his youngest daughter, Kendall, play soccer.
Steve first joined the company in 1992 working for Eskimo Joe’s Clothes Production Facility. He has worked in the production, screenprinting, shipping and receiving departments. Now Steve serves as the Assistant Production Facility Manager for EJPPG.
His favorite part about his job is the laid back atmosphere and repairing and maintaining the equipment at EJPPG.
Born and raised in Stillwater, OK, Steve enjoys tinkering with cars/machines, music and renovating his house in his spare time.
Michael joined the Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group family in 2008. Prior to working for EJPPG, he worked at the Eskimo Joe’s Clothes distribution center. Michael transferred to the production facility in 2008 and has worked in the shipping, receiving, production and embroidery departments. In 2010, he was promoted to embroidery department manager. Michael says his favorite part about his job is the great people he gets to work with and the company’s culture.
Born and raised in Tulsa, OK, Michael has a Marketing degree from Oklahoma State University. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time at the lake, riding his motorcycle and watching OSU football.
