An Accomack County native who is a war veteran and retired U.S. Army officer, and who served as a global program manager for the Department of Defense, is a candidate for the District 4 seat on the Accomack County Board of Supervisors.
Jeff Parks, who described himself as “a lifelong Republican and American Legion member,” said he wants “to restore effective leadership and Eastern Shore values to the 4th District.”
After graduating from Broadwater Academy in 1982, Parks attended East Carolina University, graduating in 1987 and receiving a U.S. Army Reserve officer’s commission through the ROTC.
Parks served as as ECU senior class vice president, chair of the Rules and Judiciary Committee, and president of the Kappa Alpha Order.
After college he served in various military positions and joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 1990.
He later commanded an infantry company while attending the University of Richmond to pursue a master’s degree in political science with an emphasis on international relations and terrorism.
While at the University of Richmond, Parks served an internship for former state Delegate Robert S. Bloxom Sr. During his time in Richmond he met his wife, Betsy, a native of the city.
Parks volunteered and returned to active duty following the attacks of 9/11 and served as a member of the team that established homeland security efforts, now known as the U.S. Northern Command.
In 2005 he was a key leader and operations officer in the federal government’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Parks later deployed to combat in Afghanistan and commanded U.S., NATO, and Afghan Counter Improvised Explosive Device forces in western Afghanistan.
Parks served in infantry and cavalry units and as an advisor to some of the nation’s most senior leaders. His primary responsibilities were homeland security and homeland defense. He retired from the Army in 2011 with 24 years of combined service.
Parks has leadership experience in countless disaster and emergency response and planning events.
He is currently the chief of staff for Innovative Emergency Management’s Health Division. Parks is an advisor to executive leadership and stakeholders in government and industry.
He has served as senior planner for multiple Federal Emergency Management Agency regions and as a global program manager for the Department of Defense.
Parks is the youngest son of Warren and Margaret Parks and grew up in the family business, Parks Motor Company, formerly of Parksley.
Parks and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have three children, Jeffrey Jr., Thomas Lee, and Sarah Elizabeth Parks.
Parks and his wife reside in the family home in Bloxom.
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