PARKER PIKE

Parker’s business career in San Diego spans four decades of helping corporations, media companies, nonprofits and three universities, after moving from the Chicago area 52 years ago. His focus on business growth led him to many of San Diego’s largest organizations in very different sectors, and his innovative programs include development of the Think Blue Initiative and partnerships for the City of San Diego and the largest environmental educational program in San Diego with SDG&E and the Birch Aquarium.

He has worked at Fed-Mart and Sol Price and the beginnings of Price Club and Costco. At the Union-Tribune, he worked in advertising and market research and was the Community Relations Director for two years, expanding the U-T’s nonprofit footprint. He also became the first marketing director (after 91 years) for the new Birch Aquarium at Scripps. He also wrote the Host Marketing Program for San Diego’s first Super Bowl and the Host program for the 1990 America’s Cup Defense.

He is founder of the San Diego AMA’s Cause Conference, which helps executives build sustainable partnerships. He continues today his 31 years of teaching marketing classes at UCSD Extension for corporate and nonprofit executives. He has served on various boards including American Heart Assoc, San Diego Blood Bank and American Cancer Society.

Parker holds an BBA in Marketing at the University of Notre Dame, an MBA in Marketing at Northern Illinois University, and a MA in Management at National University.

Parker and his late wife, Sandra, also ran the popular Village Mill Bread Company in Carmel Valley, a business Sandra founded in 1995. The bakery grew and expanded in the Del Mar Highlands shopping center and became known for fresh baked items and the region's best Challah. Sandra passed away in January 2022 after a nine year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He now enjoys spending as much time as possible with his four grandkids and watching them grow.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-pike-a186b35/