Mark Parkinson

Mark Vincent Parkinson (born June 24, 1957) is an American businessman and former politician serving as president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). A former Republican, Parkinson is currently a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from 2007 to 2009 and 45th Governor of Kansas from 2009 until 2011, as well as previously as a member of both the Kansas House of Representatives (1991–1993) and Kansas Senate (1993–1997).

For the member of the Missouri House of Representatives, see Mark Parkinson (Missouri politician).
Mark Parkinson
45th Governor of Kansas
In office
April 28, 2009 – January 10, 2011
LieutenantTroy Findley
Preceded byKathleen Sebelius
Succeeded bySam Brownback
47th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas
In office
January 4, 2007 – April 28, 2009
GovernorKathleen Sebelius
Preceded byJohn E. Moore
Succeeded byTroy Findley
Chair of the Kansas Republican Party
In office
January 1999 – January 2003
Preceded bySteve Abrams
Succeeded byDennis Jones
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 13, 1997
Preceded byRoss Doyen
Succeeded byKarin Brownlee
Member of the
Kansas House of Representatives
from the 14th district
In office
January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1993
Personal details
Born
Mark Vincent Parkinson

(1957-06-24) June 24, 1957
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (since 2006)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (before 2006)
Spouse(s)Stacy Abbott
Children3
Alma materWichita State University
University of Kansas (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website (archived)

Early life and career

Parkinson was born in Wichita, Kansas, into a family which has its roots in Scott City, where they still own a farm. Parkinson graduated from Wichita Heights High School before graduating summa cum laude from Wichita State University in 1980 and finishing first in his class at the University of Kansas Law School in 1984. Parkinson then entered private practice, forming his own law practice of Parkinson, Foth & Orrick. In 1996, Parkinson left his law practice to develop elder care facilities.

Political career

Parkinson entered Kansas politics as a Republican in 1990. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993 and Kansas Senate from 1993 to 1997.[1] From 1999 to 2003 he chaired the Kansas Republican Party.[1] In 2004 he served as chairman of the Shawnee Area Chamber of Commerce board, and in 2005, served as the "Chair of the Chairs" of the six chambers of commerce in Johnson County.

Party switch

In May 2006, Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced that Parkinson had switched parties and was her running mate for her reelection campaign, succeeding retiring Lieutenant Governor John E. Moore, also a former Republican who had switched parties shortly before he joined a ticket with Sebelius.[1] Parkinson's business experience and track record of working with both Republicans and Democrats were the reasons Sebelius gave for choosing him.[1]

The Kansas Republican Party immediately labeled Parkinson a hypocrite, citing 2002 quotes where Parkinson called Sebelius a "left-wing liberal Democrat" and claimed that any Republicans who supported her were "either insincere or uninformed".[1] Parkinson responded to the criticism by saying he had doubted Sebelius four years earlier, but came to believe she provided "independent leadership" for the state. He stated: "In an age where leaders duck responsibility and dodge their mistakes let me be the first to say: I was wrong."[1] Some viewed his switch as opportunism; others felt his decision was another example of the bitter divide between moderates and conservatives in the Kansas Republican Party and the move encouraged more moderate Republican voters to move closer to the Democratic Party.[2]

As of present date Parkinson is the only man to serve as delegate for both RNC and DNC elections. Parkinson is also the only Democrat to succeed a Democratic incumbent in the governorship in Kansas history.

Ascension to the governorship

In March 2009, President Barack Obama announced Governor Sebelius as his nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.[3] Sebelius resigned following her confirmation April 28, 2009; Parkinson was sworn in as Governor of Kansas the same day.[4] Parkinson stated he would not be a candidate in the 2010 election.[5] Parkinson was succeeded by outgoing Republican United States Senator Sam Brownback.

During his term as Kansas Governor, the state developed a comprehensive energy policy and ten-year transportation plan for maintaining its infrastructure. Citing his bipartisan support and ability to move the state forward in challenging economic times, The Topeka Capital-Journal named Parkinson "Kansan of the Year" in 2009.[6]

Post-politics

Parkinson and his wife, Stacy, have been involved in several campaigns to benefit non-profit and public organizations. The Parkinsons led a $4.29 million capital campaign for Sunflower House in 2002[7] and capital campaign for SAFEHOME in 2005.[8] Together with two other couples, the Parkinsons co-chaired the University of Kansas capital campaign from 2012 to 2016,[9] leading the successful campaign that raised more than $1.5 billion.[10]

Parkinson is currently president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL),[11] which has grown to represent nearly 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group represented about 9,000 facilities when Parkinson joined the association.[12]

Recognition

In late 2010, Parkinson was honored by the Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) for his work in elder care. Governor Parkinson received the organization's second annual Caring Award, which is given to recognize exemplary contributions of leadership in providing quality care for frail elders and persons with disabilities in Kansas.[13]

As president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, Parkinson was recognized by CEO Update as a Top Association CEO of 2013.[14] He was named to the Modern Healthcare 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2015.[15] Parkinson has been recognized as a Top Association Lobbyist by The Hill newspaper in 2013[16], 2014[17], 2015[18], 2016[19], 2017[20] and 2018.[21]

Electoral history
Kansas State House District 14 election, 1990[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Parkinson 2,880 71.73 -
Democratic Michael R. Norlen 1,135 28.27 -

References
  1. Twiddy, David (2006-05-31). "Kan. Gov. Selects Running Mate for Race". Associated Press. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  2. Moon, Chris (2006-06-02). "Parkinson's party switch causes debate". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  3. "Obama Taps Kansas Gov. Sebelius as Health Secretary". FOXNews.com. 2009-03-01. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  4. Goldstein, David; Klepper, David (2009-04-28). "Sebelius sworn in to Cabinet, Parkinson becomes Kansas governor". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  5. Baker, Peter; Pear, Robert (2009-02-19). "Kansas Governor Seen as Top Choice in Health Post". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  6. Carlson, James (2009-12-26). "Meet C-J's Kansan of the Year". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  7. Sunflower House
  8. SAFEHOME
  9. University of Kansas capital campaign
  10. Raising more than $1.5 billion
  11. Lehman, Katherine (2010-09-13). "AHCA/NCAL Names Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson as Next President and CEO". American Health Care Association. Retrieved 2011-01-17. The nation’s largest long term care association, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), today announced that Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson has been selected as its next President and CEO. Governor Parkinson will begin his term with AHCA/NCAL in January following his term in office.
  12. "AHCANCAL Elects New Board of Governors, Directors at Annual Convention in Washington, DC". AHCA Press Office. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  13. Lehman, Katherine (2010-10-18). "AHCA/NCAL Incoming President & CEO Presented Elder Care Award". American Health Care Association. Retrieved 2011-02-04. Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson, the incoming President & CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) was honored yesterday by the Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC). Governor Parkinson received the organization’s second annual Caring Award.
  14. Clara, Ritger (30 September 2013). "Parkinson Focuses on Need for Long-Term Health Care Solutions". National Journal. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  15. "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare – 2015". www.modernhealthcare.com. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  16. "Top Lobbyists 2013". The Hill. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  17. "Top Lobbyists 2014: Associations". The Hill. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  18. Dickson, Rebecca (2015-10-28). "Top Lobbyists 2015: Associations". TheHill. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  19. Dickson, Rebecca (2016-11-02). "Top Lobbyists 2016: Associations". TheHill. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  20. Perks, Ashley (2017-11-01). "Top Lobbyists 2017: Associations". TheHill. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  21. Perks, Ashley (2018-12-13). "Top Lobbyists 2018". TheHill. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  22. "KS State House 014". KSSOS. 1990-11-06. Retrieved 2009-11-06.


Political offices
Preceded by
John E. Moore		 Lieutenant Governor of Kansas
2007–2009		 Succeeded by
Troy Findley
Preceded by
Kathleen Sebelius		 Governor of Kansas
2009–2011		 Succeeded by
Sam Brownback
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