Francis Clay Jr.

Frank Clay is all about the preparation of leaders and getting them ready to lead during challenging times. He believes: “The best leader is the one that is prepared to lead when their leadership moment comes.” Mr. Clay comes fully prepared to talk on the topic of “leadership preparation” having been in leadership in many capacities over the years. Frank has been an award winning Division/Regional Sales Manager and national executive with a Fortune 100 medical company. He has served on multiple Board’s of Directors. He was a Founder, CEO and Executive Director for a successful 501C3 and has held multiple leadership positions with his fraternity, church and local business organizations. Frank also draws on his 10 years of practical experience a leader in the military, having been an Officer and previous Commander. Those who listen to Frank get an authentic view of what it means to prepare oneself to lead others during difficult times. They can ask the tough questions and get execellent guidance from Frank in person. Mr. Clay has a particular passion for helping junior leaders prepare themselves for challenging times.

“Frank Clay has an insight to many souls that is unexplained. His ability to relay what is right in front of you to explore is uncanny. And his generosity is one that I will strive to mimic... Your kind words always exceed you, thank you so much for them!” – Christina KACM CONFERENCE

Recent studies have shown that during the pandemic that started in 2020, many leaders felt that they were not prepared to lead. Frank began speaking specifically to this leadership deficiency and was inspired to write his leadership book in 2021 which he titled: Successful Leaders | Big Believers : How to Lead During Challenging Times. His book highlights the importance of being prepared to lead and gives specific guidance to the reader on how to be a Successful Leader during a crisis or when faced with a major challenge. The responses to his presentation on this leadership topic have been thoughtful:

“Frank, thank you for the leadership presentations. As a result, of your teaching, speaking and mentoring, I have my own Sales Training Academy and I have benefited greatly from your wisdom and past experiences.“ - Carlos Vides (Advisory Academy)

Frank and his wife Joy live currently  in the Atlanta area. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa and prides himself for having traveled to every state in the U.S. Frank Clay has significant corporate executive and military command leadership experience. He has a strong background in corporate sales  having worked for and with multiple fortune 100 companies like Johnson & Johnson, Georgia Pacific and AIG. Frank enjoys serving on local Board of Directors and teaching leadership to young people starting at the high school level. For many years, Frank was the keynote speaker with SKILLPATH SEMINARS, where he spoke during their Leadership Conference and share meaningful information about the dynamics of leadership to business owners and managers/supervisors.

You may have heard Frank’s voice on multiple podcasts or even on FaceBook Live where he has freely shared his wisdom and philosophies about leadership.  He is an active member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and has coached and trained others to become a professional speaking using the NSA training module. Franks is also a Certified Toastmaster. 

Mr. Clay has been featured in publications such as the Kansas City Star, Ready Magazine and even was on the front cover of Soldiers Magazine when he was in his final week of Officer Candidate School years ago. Frank Clay is a previous military Commander (Captain) in the U.S. Army| Maryland National Guard and the previous majority owner of The ClayGroup LLC for 11 years – a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Frank spent 13 years with Johnson & Johnson Medical in sales, national sales planning and sales management. He was the first African American sales representative to market cellular phones and was apart of the start-up company that eventually became Verizon. 

EDUCATION

Towson University – BS |Business Administration

Central Michigan – MBA | Business Administration

Cal University – DBA | Entrepreneurship and Business Management (selected courses)

RECOGNITION

National Speakers Association (NSA) - Kansas City - Chapter President

Two-Time recipient of Johnson & Johnson Sales Achievement Award| Ring Club

Two-Time recipient of the U.S. Army Military Achievement Medal

Kellogg – Advance Management Education Program

Certified Toastmaster

First Class – Boy Scouts of America

NAACP – Life Member

Iota Phi Theta, Inc. – Life Member / Board Member

Iota Phi Theta, Inc. – Founder| Rho Chapter – Towson University / Founder |Gamma Iota Omega - Kansas City Graduate Chapter

Officer's Candidate School (OCS) – US Army

INTERESTING FACTS

Frank Clay has traveled to all 50 states and he has played golf in all but 5. Mr. Clay loves to travel internationally: Guinea, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada, Venezuela, Paris, London, etc.  He has attended two Olympic Games: Atlanta in 1996 where he watched the one and only Dream Teams and South Korea where he was present when Vice President Pence sat near North Korean officials at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games (2/20/ 2018) during a historic gathering of North and South Korea.