THE Manager: Power, Pressure & Public Service

From a Griffin trailer park to becoming one of the nation’s youngest and most decorated city managers, Ricky L. Clark, Jr. reveals the realities of public leadership—where pressure is constant, politics are real, and purpose must outweigh both.

In THE Manager, Clark shares how he helped rebuild and rebrand communities across Metro Atlanta through multimillion-dollar projects, strategic development, and crisis-shaped leadership. Widely recognized with national honors, his story goes beyond success, uncovering the emotional and spiritual battles behind public service, the loss of his father, and the resilience required to lead cities forward.

This memoir blends strategy, faith, and hard truths, offering leaders a powerful lesson: where you start doesn’t decide what you’re built to build.