Mark Parkinson
Encyclopedia
Mark V. Parkinson is the president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association
(AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). A member of the Democratic Party
, he was the 45th Governor of Kansas
and a member of the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas Senate.
, 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.
in 1990. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives
from 1991 to 1992 and the Kansas Senate
from 1993 to 1997. From 1999 to 2003 he was Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party
. 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.
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). Parkinson's business experience and track record of working with both Republicans and Democrats were the reasons Sebelius gave for choosing him.
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." 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." 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 that the move encouraged more moderate Republican voters to move closer to the Democratic Party.
announced Governor Sebelius as his nominee for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
. Sebelius resigned following her confirmation April 28, 2009, and Parkinson was sworn in as Governor of Kansas
the same day. Parkinson stated he would not be a candidate for Governor in 2010
.
During his term as governor, Kansas developed a comprehensive energy policy and a ten-year transportation plan for maintaining the state's 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.
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.
Parkinson is currently president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), which represents more than 11,000 for- and not-for-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, and facilities for the care of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
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American Health Care Association
The American Health Care Association is non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing more than 10,000 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers that care for more than 1.5 million...
(AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). A member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he was the 45th Governor of Kansas
Governor of Kansas
The Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the...
and a member of the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas Senate.
Early life and career
Parkinson was born in Wichita, KansasWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, into a family which has its roots in Scott City
Scott City, Kansas
Scott City is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,816.-Geography:Scott City is located at...
, where they still own a farm. Parkinson graduated from Wichita Heights High School
Wichita Heights High School
Wichita Heights High School, known locally as Heights, is a coeducational secondary school located in Wichita, Kansas, USA, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the USD 259 public school system. The school principal is Mr. Bruce Deterding, who replaced Mr. Mark Christian after...
before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
in 1980 and finishing first in his class at the University of Kansas Law School
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
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 RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in 1990. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives
Kansas House of Representatives
The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kansas Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. State of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on...
from 1991 to 1992 and the Kansas Senate
Kansas Senate
The Kansas Senate is the upper house of the Kansas Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Kansas. It is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal amount of districts, each with a population of at least 60,000 inhabitants. Members of the Senate are elected to a four year term....
from 1993 to 1997. From 1999 to 2003 he was Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party
Kansas Republican Party
The Kansas Republican Party is the state affiliate political party in Kansas of the United States Republican Party. The Chair of the Kansas Republican Party is Amanda Adkins.- Political history :...
. 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 SebeliusKathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
announced that Parkinson had switched parties and was her running mate for her reelection campaign, succeeding retiring lieutenant governor John E. Moore
John E. Moore
John E. Moore is an American politician. In 2002 he was elected on the Democratic Party ticket as the running mate of Governor Kathleen Sebelius; he assumed office as the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas on January 13, 2003...
(also a former Republican who had switched parties shortly before he joined a ticket with Sebelius). Parkinson's business experience and track record of working with both Republicans and Democrats were the reasons Sebelius gave for choosing him.
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." 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." 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 that the move encouraged more moderate Republican voters to move closer to the Democratic Party.
Ascension to governor
In March 2009, Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
announced Governor Sebelius as his nominee for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with health matters. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet...
. Sebelius resigned following her confirmation April 28, 2009, and Parkinson was sworn in as Governor of Kansas
Governor of Kansas
The Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the...
the same day. Parkinson stated he would not be a candidate for Governor in 2010
Kansas gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor Mark Parkinson, who assumed office upon Kathleen Sebelius' resignation following her appointment as President Barack Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services in January 2009, did not seek a full...
.
During his term as governor, Kansas developed a comprehensive energy policy and a ten-year transportation plan for maintaining the state's 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.
Elder care
Beginning in 1996, Parkinson helped develop ten elder care facilities in Kansas and Missouri. During this time he served as a founder, developer and chief executive officer of facilities offering skilled nursing care, assisted living, and dementia-related care. He earned national recognition for the design of one of his assisted living facilities, and the title of "Outstanding Business in Northeast Johnson County" for his company.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.
Parkinson is currently president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), which represents more than 11,000 for- and not-for-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, and facilities for the care of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
Electoral history
External links
- Office of the Governor Mark Parkinson official state site
- Kansan of the Year December 26, 2009
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