Kevin J. Clarke, an executive with Worldcolor who has been a high-profile leader in local economic development matters, has left the publishing company.

Montreal-based Worldcolor, formerly known as Quebecor World, operates a printing plant in Depew. The company changed its name after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy this year.

Clarke, who lives in East Amherst, was president of Worldcolor’s publishing services group. Details of his departure were not available. He declined to comment when contacted, and Tony Ross, a Worldcolor spokesman, also declined to comment.

Clarke, a Niagara University graduate, was with Worldcolor and Quebecor for more than 25 years. He also served as chairman of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency for more than four years but gave up the volunteer position in 2006, citing the travel requirements of his expanded role with Quebecor.

Robert Mamon, president of Local 17B of the Graphic Communications Conference of the Teamsters, said workers at the Depew plant had been made aware of Clarke’s departure from Worldcolor but did not know the reason for it.

Business officials in the area said Clarke has made an impact both at the company and in economic development.

“Kevin has always been a friend of Harlequin, and he’s always kept our best interests in mind,” said John Reindl, general manager of the neighboring Harlequin Sales Corp. plant in Depew. “I think he’s been an important figure in Worldcolor for some time.”

Al Culliton, chief operating officer of the ECIDA, said he expected Clarke would be a “highly sought-after individual” in the business community for another position, calling him an “exceptional business leader.”

“I think he made a very good contribution over here to help modernize the activities and the focus of the ECIDA,” Culliton said.

Robert T. Brady, chairman and chief executive officer of Moog Inc., said Clarke was effective both at Worldcolor and the ECIDA.

“Kevin is a man with a plan,” Brady said. “He makes up his mind to get something done, he gets something done.”

Clarke was previously a leader on the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s board, and a past chairman of the Partnership’s manufacturing council.

Andrew Rudnick, the Partnership’s president and chief executive officer, said Clarke was a results-oriented person whose style had a positive effect on the ECIDA and the Partnership board. “He’s a no-nonsense kind of person,” he said.

Clarke was vice president and general manager of the Depew plant, then known as Quebecor World Buffalo, until he was promoted in 2004. The plant today has more than 600 employees.

Along with his work at Worldcolor, Clarke has received recognition for his active involvement in the “Books for Kids” campaign that The Buffalo News launched.