Phil Clark

General Manager, Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks

Bentonville, Arkansas, United States

Phil Clark is the General Manager of Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks, with over 16 years of experience scaling commercial cleaning franchises across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. A former GE Capital executive managing $96B portfolios, he applies data-driven strategies to deliver consistent, healthy workplace environments.

Expertise & Overview

Phil Clark combines 16+ years of franchisor leadership in commercial and industrial cleaning with 26 years of executive‑level risk management at GE Capital He specializes in:

• Franchise Development & Scaling: Proven track record of identifying, establishing, and scaling over 60 independent small‑business franchises under the Vanguard trade name.
• Risk Analytics & Compliance Leadership: Led global collections and litigation operations for portfolios up to $96 billion, developing SOX compliance frameworks for multiple GE Capital subsidiaries.
• Financial & Operational Strategy: Directed multi‑million‑dollar budget allocations, acquisition integrations, and activity‑based costing initiatives to optimize profitability and growth.
• Board Governance & Advisory: Founding Board Member responsible for strategic planning, staffing, and capitalization of Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks and affiliated territories.

Professional Experience

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks (Phidora Group, Inc.)

• General Manager (Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa, OK, SW Missouri)
  June 2009 – Present (16 years 1 month)
  Oversees identifying, establishing, and scaling independent franchise operations across three states. Provides fee‑based marketing, sales, financing, receivables management, administration, and business consulting services to franchisees. Manages P&L responsibilities, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to branded cleaning protocols.
• Founding Board Member
  December 2008 – Present (16 years 7 months)
  Led initial capitalization, staffing, strategic planning, and operational execution of a multi‑state franchise sales company with a $4 million expense budget. Enabled the sale and financing of start‑up independent janitorial and custodial franchises in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri under the Vanguard® trade style.

GE Capital

• SVP Risk Management – Equipment Finance
  April 2007 – July 2008 (1 year 4 months)
  Integrated and consolidated collections and litigation operations for a $35 billion U.S. commercial loan and lease portfolio; directed 350+ staff and managed a $30 million expense budget.
• SVP Global Risk Management – GE Capital Solutions
  January 2006 – April 2007 (1 year 4 months)
  Developed corporate collections and litigation/recovery operations for a $96 billion global holding company; oversaw a $50 million budget and eight P&Ls across 18 countries.
• Board Member – Colonial Pacific Leasing Corporation
  March 2003 – January 2006 (2 years 11 months)
  Chaired Compliance Committee; implemented SOX compliance for an IT equipment finance company.
• Board Member – Mellon Leasing, Manufacturer & Dealer Services
  March 2002 – January 2006 (3 years 11 months)
  Chaired Compliance Committee; developed and executed SOX frameworks for structured financial solutions to IT manufacturers.
• Vice President, Chief Risk Officer – Express Financial Solutions
  February 2002 – January 2006 (4 years)
  Directed all investment and risk strategies for a $6.8 billion vendor leasing company; managed a $20 million investment portfoliopen and 120 staff.
• Vice President, Chief Risk Officer – Sun Microsystems Finance
  January 1999 – February 2002 (3 years 2 months)
  Led investment and capital markets strategy for a $1.3 billion global captive finance company under GE Capital; oversaw a $15 million investment pen.
• Vice President, Chief Risk Officer – Digital Equipment Finance
  Vice President, Chief Risk Officer – Digital Equipment Finance
  Set investment policy and managed structured underwriting and portfolio management for a $560 million captive finance operation.
• Vice President, Risk Management – Vendor Financial Services
  February 1996 – July 1997 (1 year 6 months)
  Managed deal reviews and integration for GE’s divestiture of Kodak Capital’s Danka printing portfolio; oversaw a $10 million single-signature authority.
• Earlier GE Capital Roles
  Vice President, Risk and Operations (June 1994 – February 1996)
  Risk Manager & TQM Leader (October 1990 – June 1994; November 1989 – October 1990)

Chase Manhattan

• Vice President of Business Development
  October 1988 – November 1989
• Regional Credit Manager
  June 1985 – October 1988
• Regional Collection Manager
  April 1983 – June 1985

CIT Corporation

• Credit Analyst/Collection Manager
  July 1982 – April 1983

Education & Certifications

Arkansas State University

• BS, Business Administration
  1978 – 1982

GE – Crotonville, John F. Welch Management Development Center

• Leadership Development Program, Business/Managerial Economics
  1998

Chase Leadership Development Program

• Quantitative Fundamentals of Debt Investment
  1985
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
  2000

Board Membership & Affiliations

Founding Board Member, Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks
December 2008 – Present

Board Member & Compliance Chair, Colonial Pacific Leasing Corporation
March 2003 – January 2006

Board Member & Compliance Chair, Mellon Leasing, Manufacturer & Dealer Services
March 2002 – January 2006

Areas of Focus

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Phil has presented on risk management and franchise growth strategies at industry conferences hosted by Vanguard Cleaning Systems and GE Capital. His board‑level compliance insights have been featured in vendor finance roundtables and TQM best‑practice seminars.

Contact & Online Presence

Email: phil@vanguardozarks.com

Phone: +1 479‑717‑2410

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phclark

Website: vanguardozarks.com