About Frank Parkinson

Frank is a candidate for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners representing the 3rd District, which includes, Saline City, Manchester Village and the townships of Lodi, Freedom, Sharon, Manchester, Bridgewater, Saline and a substantial portion of Scio township (south of Jackson Road).

MICHIGAN ROOTS

Frank grew up in the small rural community of Quincy, Michigan, about an hour west of Washtenaw County. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1978. Thereafter, he received a B.A. from Alma College, in Alma, Michigan where he graduated with honors and a double major in Business Administration and History.  In 1985, Frank graduated with a J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School.

Frank is married to his wife of 16 years, Elizabeth Parkinson, who is the Managing Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Ann Arbor SPARK, Washtenaw County’s economic development organization. Frank and Elizabeth live in Lodi Township and have four children, all of whom attend the Saline Area Schools.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Frank’s professional and business background is one of a successful entrepreneur and businessman, experienced attorney and real estate broker (his full resume is summarized at the end of this page).

Frank has over 23 years experience practicing corporate, banking and real estate law, and creating, building and selling several successful businesses. Most recently, he has formed several new business ventures which are focusing on energy efficient-green building, eco-friendly affordable housing and specialized learning centers for children with special needs and learning disabilities. Frank also recently joined the Saline office of The Charles Reinhart Company as an Associate Broker.

CIVIC AND NON-PROFIT EXPERIENCE

In addition, Frank has donated his time to a number of non-profit groups, including most recently, The Climate Project, a non-profit organization formed to study the science and public policy issues surrounding climate change and alternative energy solutions. As a part of that group, he has had the opportunity to travel throughout the County and around the State giving over 70 presentations to a combined audience of around 6,000 people.

In addition to The Climate Project, Frank has volunteered his time to a variety of civic and community organizations including Meals on Wheels, The Saline Baseball and Softball Association, the Solar Power for Information and Independence Project, Saline Area Schools, Climate Crisis Action Washtenaw, the YMCA Michigan Youth In Government Program and subcommittees formed under the Saline Environmental Commission and the Lodi Natural Areas Preservation Committee.

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

Prior to moving to the area, Frank and Elizabeth lived in Chicago for a number of years before making the conscious decision three years ago to move back to Michigan. “During those years away we came home a great deal, continued to own property here and spent the majority of our summers and holidays in Michigan. We moved here to be closer to our families, to raise our children in an environment similar to the one we experienced, and to have the opportunity to be active in our community.”

“Although I gathered a tremendous amount of experience during my time away from Michigan, I never lost sight of my small town roots. Growing up in a small farming town, I developed the core values of honesty, hard work and compassion, values that I have carried with me ever since. My parents, Frank and Gladys, both of whom were very involved in all aspects of the life of our village and our church, instilled in me an appreciation for importance of being an active member of the community.”

Frank has a wealth of experiences, but this is his first foray into politics. “I have never run for public office, but my sense is that as with any endeavor, the ingredients for being an effective public servant are pretty simple, hard work, discipline, honesty, effective communication and accountability.”

"The foundation of active community involvement established years ago by my parents, together with my more recent experiences interacting and working with concerned citizens through The Climate Project, have combined to renew my enthusiasm for the merits of public service, and renewed my faith in the ability of individuals to make a difference."

Frank has developed a strong sense of local and county issues and he is confident that his broad legal experience, extensive background in business and finance, and the practical knowledge he has gained through his volunteerism, will bring value to the work of the Board of Commissioners.

“I view the wide range of business and personal experiences gained outside of the area as a positive. I believe that it enables me to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas for positive solutions to the challenges facing our community and the County.”

The 2008 Third District County Commissioner election is about qualifications and accountability. Frank's legal training is an important skill set that will be useful in all aspects of the BOC's business, including interpreting the complicated statututes and regulations passed down by the State Legislature and drafting ordinances and resolutions which bring coherence to the efforts of the Commission.

Frank's extensive background in all aspects of running a successful business will be extremely helpful in dealing with many of the complicated issues facing the BOC, including budgeting, cost containment, management and municipal finance. Frank's knowledge of, and commitment to, alternative energy and energy efficiency programs will not only assist the BOC in its efforts to reduce costs, but will also help the County in developing innovative, cost-efficient energy and environmental programs.

PLEASE SUPPORT FRANK PARKINSON FOR WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3.

Frank’s Resume:

• Sidley & Austin, Associate, 1985-1988, Chicago, Illinois. Associate attorney specializing in real estate, banking and corporate transactions.
  
  
• Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Senior Associate, 1988-1992, Chicago, Illinois. Senior Associate attorney specializing in real estate, banking and corporate transactions.


• Parkinson & O’Neil and Bottom Line Realty & Investments, Co-Founder and Partner, 1992-1999, Chicago, Illinois. Formed new company to provide specialized legal counsel and real estate investment advisory services.


• Sussex & Reilly, LLC, Co-Founder and Executive Officer, 1999-2004, Chicago, Illinois. Co-founded a start-up residential and commercial real estate brokerage company which emphasized a business model that utilized innovative new technologies, a team approach and full service and discount pricing. The business model quickly developed into one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Chicago, going from 7 agents to over 100 in its first two years and gross sales of over $400,000,000. Frank sold the business in 2002 to a national chain and completed his two-year consulting agreement in the summer of 2004.


• Professional Hiatus, August, 2004 to August 2005. In the summer of 2004, Frank and Elizabeth took a pause from our professional careers and embarked on a year-long journey around the world with their four young children. During their journey they traveled to 17 countries on 5 continents. During the trip they decided that upon their return, they would move back home to Michigan to be closer to their families.


• The Climate Project, Volunteer, January 2007 to present. Frank has had the pleasure of concentrating a substantial portion of his time over the past 18 months to the study of the science, technology and public policy issues surrounding climate change and low-carbon renewable and alternative energy solutions. During this period, he has traveled around the State of Michigan giving presentations on climate change and alternative to groups of concerned citizens.


• Balance Real Estate LLC, Co-founder and Principal, 2007 to present. This green-home developer will soon complete its first eco-friendly project. A second project site is being considered for Washtenaw County.


• Balance Development LLC, Co-founder and Principal, 2007 to present. This company is pursuing a strategy of developing eco-friendly, affordable, pre-fabricated homes. The company is targeting Washtenaw County for its first project.


• LEAP Learning, LLC, Co-founder and Principal, 2007 to present. An organization seeking to develop specialized learning centers that will provide the most positive educational experience for the special needs student and their families.  The company is considering locations in Ann Arbor, Chicago and Phoenix.


• The Charles Reinhart Company, Associate Real Estate Broker, October 2007 to present. In addition to being an attorney, licensed in both the States of Michigan and Illinois, Frank is also a licensed real estate broker, licensed in both the States of Michigan and Illinois, with over 15 years experience in residential and commercial transactions. He recently joined The Charles Reinhart Company’s Saline office and is presently completing his coursework to obtain certification as one of area’s first few EcoBrokers™, the core curriculum of which offers innovative energy, environmental, and green strategies and tools for real estate professionals.