Jared Clonch

Growing up in St. Albans, WV, Jared Clonch, vice president of ORDERS Construction had a passion for building things.

“I always worked some kind of construction project while in high school and college, whether it be for a mason during the summer or a local landscaping contractor,” he says.

At just 16 years old, Clonch’s first job working for BBR Drilling Company on a large retaining wall project had a strong influence on him. In this role, Clonch was taught how to be responsible for himself and his actions.

Immediately after graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in civil engineering, Clonch landed his first professional position in Charlotte, NC, working for a landscape architecture and civil site design firm. He thought he was going to shift his career path to design, but he learned that even the best plans don’t always work out.

“Design work did not provide the satisfaction my previous jobs had provided,” he says. “It was in this role that I learned just because it looks good on paper doesn’t mean it will work the way it is intended or can even be constructed.”

In his current position at Orders Construction, Clonch gets to see every side of the business.

“The thing I enjoy most about my current position is that I get to do something different almost every day, whether that be traveling to job sites, helping our field operations work through an issue or being in the office helping with work plans, estimates or financials,” he says.

Even though Clonch has seen much success at the age of 41 he has still seen his fair share of challenges as well.

“My biggest challenges have been in my personal life, and there are two distinct instances that have shaped me and my outlook—the first being the death of my wife in 2016. The second being my youngest son being severely affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD),” he says.

During those turning points, Clonch learned kindness and empathy.

“In general, people are too quick to react to others in a negative way. I have no idea what is going on in someone else’s life at any given moment,” he says.

Clonch also learned that there is no need to dwell on the past.

“Bad things happen to everyone, the difference between success and failure is how you choose to move forward,” he says.

With determination and perseverance, Clonch is proud of the fact that his personal challenges did not deter him from his professional goals.

Clonch believes he has been extremely blessed and chooses to return some blessings to others through community service and donating his time and talents to organizations aimed at helping children.

“It is imperative that we help the future generations so that they can continue the prosperity of the community,” he says.

Clonch serves as the board president for the Community Autism Resources and Education Systems—a nonprofit organization focused on developing support for West Virginia children, young adults and families affected by autism—and as a mentor for Education Elevators.

Looking toward the future, Clonch is focused on helping autistic children in the Mountain State thrive educationally.

“I am working on building a campus for children with learning disabilities, particularly children affected with ASD,” he says. “Public and private education does not have the capacity or resources to provide some children with the proper tools to live fulfilling lives. There are very few programs in the state of West Virginia that are specifically targeted toward children on the autism spectrum. I am working diligently to increase the number and quality of these programs in the state to make sure children with autism have the best chances to succeed.”