Cliff was born in 1952 in Virginia City, Virginia in Wise County. He went to school in Salem, Virginia and graduated from Andrew Lewis High school. He went on to attend and graduate from Virginia Western Community College and then went to Christopher Newport College in New Port News, Virginia.
His union career started in 1991 with the United Rubber Cork and Linoleum Union which later became The United Steel Workers Union. He has been a devoted and active union member. He is currently the Vice President of the Western Virginia Labor Federation.
Cliff and his wife of thirty-one years, Theresa Hall Carlton, have three children. They are Michelle, Michael and Leah. Cliff is a very proud grandfather to three grandsons. They are Brodie, Judd and Corbyn.
Cliff is now retired from the United Steel Workers Local 1023. He has and always will be a proud union person. Union proud and always union yes.