Martinsville Executive and Former Actor Parker Focuses Energy On Political Stage
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Andy Parker worked his way through college as a singing waiter and even had a part in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on Broadway. But these days‚ his starring role is public service.
Parker‚ who came to Martinsville a decade ago‚ owns an executive search firm‚ Divergent Search‚ headquartered in a renovated building in Uptown Martinsville. Elected to the Henry County Board of Supervisors in 2003‚ Parker is seeking the 16th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2007 on the Democratic ticket.
Parker‚ a Texas native‚ says his work with the Board of Supervisors was his first foray into politics.
“I wanted to do what I could to make a difference and serve the community‚ and help get it back on its feet again. We have a little ways to go‚ but we’ve made inroads. The unemployment rate is more than cut in half since I took office‚ although I can’t take all the credit‚” Parker says. “Now I look at the oppor tunity to run for the House of Delegates as a chance to serve a bigger piece of the pie and really try to help the region‚ as opposed to just one community.”
Parker says the ultimate success of the region hinges on identifying and promoting opportunities in the area by focusing on its great quality of life and natural resources.
A University of Texas graduate‚ Parker says his brief career as a singer and actor was great fun. After college‚ he worked for a Dallas dinner theater‚ then performed in New York‚ Washington‚ D.C.‚ and did commercial work before pursuing other career avenues.
“My performing these days is con fined to my political adventures‚” Parker says. “That took the place of any acting I would do. If Reagan did it‚ and Fred Thompson‚ I figured there’s a place for me‚” he adds‚ tongue in cheek.
Story by Anne Gillem
Photo by Ian Curcio
