David Parr

Sonoma, CA

My business experience

My business experience began as a salesperson and sales executive with two Fortune 500 companies. At the age of 29, I was a Partner in a Silicon Valley Electrical Distributor and became the CEO three years later. The business grew from one branch to five branches, establishing itself as the leading industrial supplier of electrical components to the high tech market. After 15 years, I sold the business to two employees and took a five-year sabbatical to pursue growing a non-profit educational foundation as a volunteer.

For the past 18 years, I have been a business consultant helping middle-market companies grow their businesses and building high-performance management teams. In addition to coaching CEOs, I specialize in strategic planning, team-building and installing systems to achieve profit goals and improve productivity.

This experience of being a CEO/owner, as well as a business consultant, has really enhanced the value I bring to my members.

My Vistage experience

I joined Vistage in 1996. I facilitate one Chief Executive group and one Key Executive group, with members based in San Francisco and the North Bay (Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties). I have received the Vistage Chair Excellence Award three times for providing outstanding service to Vistage members.

Vistage provides a remarkable experience for members through a unique suite of services, including workshops, speaker presentations, peer-group discussions and access to our global membership. My members and I are completely committed to the values of confidentiality, commitment, “carefrontation” (say what you see), being prepared, having fun and celebration.

My Vistage groups

The members of my Chief Executive group represent the value-added market, manufacturing and professional services. Company revenues range from $5 million to $125 million. The group presently has 15 members, four of whom are women. Seven members are founders of their businesses, five are professional managers, one is a third-generation business leader and two purchased their businesses. Accountability for both professional and personal growth goals is a top priority for the group and we push each other to excel in our roles as leaders of our enterprises.

Who is the “ideal” Vistage member?

The “ideal” member craves feedback on how they function in all aspects of their lives. They are committed to personal and professional growth, as well as being honest and direct with their fellow members. They strive for a balanced life, conscious of the condition of the world, the nation and their immediate community. They want to make a difference.

More about David Parr

I have a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific. I am a retired board member of the Valley of the Moon, Teen Center in Sonoma, and a volunteer with the American Lung Association, F.I.S.H. (food bank) and the Sonoma Community Center. I am listed in “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.”

I enjoy outdoor activities such as biking, skiing, fly fishing, swimming and tennis. (I’ve also completed three triathlons in the past five years.) My travels have taken me to 28 different countries, including six months in Southeast Asia and six months in Africa, where I taught management skills to the cooperative movement in Zimbabwe.

My wife of more than 45 years and I spend as much time with our grandchildren as we can, plus enjoying our home in Sonoma.