Mark Klemencic

Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree

Mark Klemencic
Vice President Talent Management
AAR Corporation

Marc Klemencic credits his academic successes and distinguished career in human resources and organizational development to the structure and learning environment he found at Harper College – on his second try. He acknowledges that his academic journey took several turns and unique pathways.

As a traditional-age student at Harper, Klemencic was not motivated and didn’t attend class. He dropped out and pursued a career in retail sales. During the next five and a half years, he was promoted to department manager, one of the youngest to run a top 10 department out of 126 stores. In this role, he learned how to motivate and retain employees. “I realized I had a talent for coaching people,” he said.  

A weekend work conflict made him realize it was “my time” to return to school at Harper. He pursued an Associate in Applied Science degree in management, graduating in 2002. Klemencic credits faculty member Michael Vijuk with mentoring that led to his academic success.

“Everyone at Harper was so supportive of me transitioning back to school full time,” he said. “Once I committed to Harper, I was all-in to pursue my education.”

Klemencic went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg. He began his human resources journey at Boise Cascade/OfficeMax and then moved to Omron, where he became talent management manager for the Americas.  

In 2018, he joined AAR, a global provider of aviation services to commercial and government customers, including leading airlines and militaries across the globe. His first role was global director of talent management. In 2024, he was promoted to vice president, talent management.

Klemencic’s efforts have impacted more than 6,000 employees and shaped AAR’s culture of growth and engagement. He led the launch of a global high-potential employee program, a comprehensive learning and development program and a new performance management strategy. He conducts on-site organizational and leadership development and manages employee engagement and culture. Klemencic oversees the company’s internship program and organizes mentoring and events for interns, such as food packing at Feed My Starving Children.

Klemencic is also devoted to coaching youth sports and performing community service and has been recognized for his commitment to volunteer work. He was inspired by friends and family affected by cancer to become involved with Cal’s Angels, a toy collection drive for Lurie Children’s Hospital, his family’s favorite service project.

Klemencic remains grateful to Harper for readying him for these life accomplishments: “Harper provided the structured environment I needed to achieve my future successes.”