Biography

Erik Clarke is a Denver-based finance and operations executive whose work spans business leadership, institutional modernization, public policy, and civic engagement. He serves as Chief Financial Officer of Trans Lease, Inc., a financial services company with a portfolio exceeding $1.2 billion and nearly $500 million in annual revenue. In that role, he helps lead the company’s financial strategy, capital allocation, banking relationships, accounting, portfolio management, and driving continued growth and modernization.

Throughout Erik’s career, he’s focused on making complex organizations work better. His experience includes chief financial officer roles in the private sector and advisory work with businesses, governments, and public institutions. Prior to his current role, he held senior finance and operations roles in the construction industry and held management roles at global consulting firms, Deloitte and Crowe, where he solved complex problems including public finance, organizational performance, technology modernization, budget, and major capital projects.

Beyond his professional work, Erik is actively involved in Denver’s civic life. He has served on executive boards, including the Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation and the Institute of Management Accountants. Previously, he served on fundraising and volunteer groups for Denver Health and Mile High United Way. He also served in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Transition Advisory Committee and advised the incoming administration on health care policy.

Erik earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Kent State University and a Masters of Public Administration from The Ohio State University. He’s been recognized as a top Chief Financial Officer by the Denver Business Journal for 2025 and 2026. He’s also been recognized as one of the top 100 executives in Colorado of either the private or public sector by Titan 100.

Erik regularly publishes on public policy, economic opportunity, government performance, and the future of cities. His commentary has appeared in Governing, The Hill, The Denver Gazette, Colorado Politics, the Denver Post, and Colorado Newsline.

Across his business and civic efforts, his approach focuses on driving disciplined leadership, sound financial stewardship, modern systems, and a willingness to confront difficult problems through innovation and performance management systems.

Erik Clarke was named one of Colorado's top CFOs by the Denver Business Journal in 2025 and 2026

Recognizing excellence in financial leadership and strategic vision across the Denver business community.

Consulting Experience Summary

Throughout my leadership roles at Crowe and Deloitte, large management consulting firms, I led project teams advising both public and private sector organizations on strategy, management advisory, operational improvement, governance, risk, and complex organizational challenges. This work spanned governments at every level, special districts, education institutions, financial institutions, banks, and technology companies. This part of my professional background gave me hands-on experience across complex, diverse organizations as I led performance improvement, modernizing operations, technology implementation, and helped organizational leadership make better decisions at scale.

Private Sector Clients

Public Sector Clients

A large energy and national security research institution.• One of the largest banking and financial institutions in the United States, providing a wide range of services including banking, investing, and lending to individuals, businesses, and corporations.• A private education institution that provides culturally aware learning to students with native ancestry.• A commercial and investment bank in New England.• A technology company that provides online payment processing services and software tools for businesses to accept payments, manage transactions, and handle financial operations.• A technology company that offers a comprehensive restaurant management platform, providing point-of-sale (POS) systems, online ordering, inventory management, and other tools for finance operations.• A multinational financial services company that provides a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions.

A government agency that finances the development of renewable energy solutions.• A large, capital city in the Midwest United States.• One of the largest cities by population in the United States.• A large state agency for a Midwest state responsible for the state's budget, managing fiscal policies and resources, and providing financial analysis and oversight.• A county government in a suburb of a major city.• A state agency in a Midwestern state that provides affordable housing opportunities and improves housing conditions for residents of the state.• An independent government agency that was responsible for investigations and oversight of Middle East operations to promote transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the use of taxpayer funds across U.S. federal and ally government operations.• One of the top 10 largest state university systems in the United States.• A government agency focused on promoting economic development, fostering business growth, and attracting investment to enhance the economy of a large state.• A public transportation agency responsible for providing bus, light rail, and commuter rail services in a Western state.• A public transportation agency that operates the Metrorail and Metrobus systems in a large city.• A law enforcement department, responsible for public safety of a special district.