Member Spotlight: Larry Parks, TU Parks Construction

Tell us about TU Parks Construction ...
T U Parks in its 76th year and I believe that we are now the oldest construction company in the Chattanooga area.  Our business model has us involved in all facets of construction with the exception of highway and heavy industrial.  We've had a major focus on health care for nearly 50 years and recently have been working on several renovation projects in the downtown area, including Common House in the former Industrial Y building, the refurbishment of a large warehouse space into offices, and nearing completion of the new rowing center for GPS and McCallie.  We also work on high-end residential projects.

TU Parks was started by grandfather, T. U. Parks. His son’s Homer, and my father, C. A. “Red” Parks really built the business.  Everyone served in leadership roles of the AGC chapter and were also active industry advocates.  We're currently in our 4th generation of leadership at T U Parks with my son, Robert, currently serving on the AGC East Tennessee Board.

How have you been involved in AGC over the years?
Charlie Clevenger (former President of AGC East Tennessee) got me involved on the Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer of the Chapter in 1981 and around that time I went to my first national convention in Washington, DC.  I then served as the President of the Chattanooga branch during 1985 and 1986 while serving as Vice President of AGC of East Tennessee.
  
Around that time, Charlie and I first attempted to launch a self-insured workers' comp trust and then in 1994 we partnered with the rest of the state to make it a reality.  I served as Vice Chair of CompTrust AGC Tennessee from day one and stepped up as Chair in 2013. 

On the national level, I served on various AGC of America Committees and when Jim Lail from Chattanooga was President of AGC of America he asked me to serve on his Executive Committee .  

Why are you a member of AGC?
AGC is the leading association in the industry and is a network of the better contractors.  The legislative support that the AGC gives the contractors in federal, state and local issues is incredibly important, and I've found connections through industry networking to be a great resource. I attended just about every national convention for decades and state and regional conferences over the years.  I also went through AGC's  Executive Management Program which was an invaluable learning experience. Through AGC, I've met a lot of people, been a lot places, and have had a lot of fun.

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