Who is Bob Parks? If you ask one of the 350-plus agents who works for him, you’re likely to hear:
“Local legacy, titan.”
“A blessing to our family and to me.”
“A family-first leader.”
“One of the most passionate, caring people I’ve had the pleasure to be around.”
“He shows everyone respect and love and thinks of everyone as family.”
When Bob took a chance on himself and founded his first real estate business in 1975, he kicked off what would become decades of giving hundreds of other agents their own start in the industry here in Middle Tennessee.
Agents who have worked with him from then to now – and there are many who have stuck with Bob for 5, 10, even 47 years – say that he is a rare leader who leads with his heart. Who knows the name of everyone he works with. Who has shaped their approach to navigating this industry. Who is someone they’d follow anywhere.
He’s family.
This past June, Bob took a chance again by starting Onward Real Estate, where he and his wife, Marie, serve as senior advisors to CEO Jenni Barnett, the leadership team and hundreds of agents.
Bob and Marie started Onward to build on a legacy of experience in the industry and to foster rising leaders among agents who live and work in these communities.
Bob is a humble, passionate leader who continues to shape careers and the future of Middle Tennessee real estate, while embodying the professional and personal values he has held as a leader from the beginning: Fairness. Honesty. Commitment.
That’s who Bob is.
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“You show all of us, every day, what true leadership is like. Grace, class, integrity are all things that you teach me still every day. I hope you know what you mean to all of us.”
– Onward CEO Jenni Barnett
“I can’t believe it’s been 53 years since you got your real estate license and 50 years since you started your first office. Here we are in this next chapter of Onward. We have many things to be thankful for, but my biggest blessing is being married to you and being able to work with you and Jenni each and every day and watch you do what you love to do.”
– Onward Co-Founder and Senior Advisor Marie Parks
Bob, from all of us: Congratulations on celebrating 50 years. We’re lucky to get to do this alongside you. Onward!
