News Summary
Tim M. Parker Jr., chairman of Parker Towing Company, will be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to business and public service. The ceremony is set for November 13 in Birmingham. Alongside this honor, Parker Towing recently celebrated the christening of two towboats named after influential women. Additionally, leadership changes at Parker Towing and the renaming of River District Park to honor community support highlight Parker’s impact in local development.
Alabama – Tim M. Parker Jr., the chairman of Parker Towing Company, will be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2025. The induction ceremony is set for November 13 and will take place at Haven in downtown Birmingham. This prestigious honor recognizes Parker’s numerous contributions to both business and public service throughout his career.
The Alabama Business Hall of Fame is housed within Hewson Hall at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. Tim Parker is a proud alumnus of the university, graduating in 1966 with a degree in business administration. Under his leadership, Parker Towing has evolved into one of the Southeast’s leading commodities transportation companies, facilitating the shipment of bulk materials such as coal, grain, cement, and petroleum products along the Gulf Coast.
Throughout his career, Parker has demonstrated a commitment to public service. He served three terms in the Alabama Legislature starting in 1990 and has occupied leadership roles with several prominent organizations, including the Alabama State Port Authority and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority. His involvement extends to the advisory board of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, emphasizing his significant influence in both economic development and community engagement.
Beyond his business ventures, Parker is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Vietnam. He remains prominent in local community efforts, previously chairing the United Way of Tuscaloosa and receiving the Alexis De Tocqueville Society’s Family of the Year award in 2014. His accolades include being named the University of Alabama’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2016 and the Tuscaloosa Civitan Club’s Citizen of the Year in 2019. He resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife, one son, and four grandchildren.
In addition to the Hall of Fame announcement, Parker Towing Company recently celebrated the christening of two towboats named in honor of women who significantly contributed to the company. The towboat Beverly Jo Smith has been renamed mv Mary Ethel, paying tribute to the longtime office manager who was first hired in 1989. The mv LaDonna Rubio was christened posthumously in memory of LaDonna Rubio, a beloved member of the team who passed away shortly before the event. The christening ceremony included a moment of silence for Rubio, marked by three blasts from one of the towboat’s horns. Parker expressed confidence that LaDonna would be proud of the vessel honoring her memory.
Parker Towing Company also announced a series of promotions to bolster its leadership team. The newly appointed members include Lucian Lott as Senior Vice President of Sales, Jared Phillips as Vice President of Information Systems, Dan Benken as Vice President of Operations, Will Sledge as Director of Ports and Terminals, Jeremy Headley as Vice President of Sales, and Victor Lott as Port Captain.
In another community-focused development, River District Park in downtown Tuscaloosa has been renamed Parker-Haun Park to honor the Parker and Haun families for their ongoing support of the Saban Center. Terry Saban, wife of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, indicated her delight at the park’s renaming, which underscores its importance to the community. This renaming, which took place on October 30, aligns with the forthcoming Saban Center—a planned interactive learning hub set to open in 2026. The Children’s Hands-on Museum will also relocate to the Saban Center, rebranding as Ignite, further enhancing educational opportunities in the area.
River District Park, completed in the fall of 2022, includes green spaces, river-viewing areas, plaza spaces, and an outdoor stage. This park is a component of the city’s Elevate Tuscaloosa initiative, which aims to fund various projects related to education, transportation, recreation, and public safety, fostering the well-being and growth of the community for years to come.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Patch: Tim Parker Jr. Inducted into Alabama Business Hall of Fame
- Wikipedia: Business Halls of Fame
- Tuscaloosa Thread: Parker Towing Company Christens Boats
- Google Search: Parker Towing Company christens boats
- Tuscaloosa News: River District Park Renamed
- Google Scholar: Tuscaloosa community developments
- Patch: Parker Towing Announces Leadership Promotions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business Leadership
- Tuscaloosa News: Business Dispute Ends in Fatality
- Google News: Business dispute news Tuscaloosa
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