We had the good fortune of connecting with Chuck Parsons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chuck, how do you think about risk?
What some folks might consider risks, I have not. My career included a major switch that required returning to school at 30 (graphic artist to paper chemist), time in new field research, a “greenfield” start up for a fortune 500, and a restructure of a regional business. Success would not have come to the timid.
Even in retirement, I tend to be a risk taker. Providing leadership in a local garden club, we have achieved the conversion of a 4+ acre abandon field into a community park. An all volunteer effort that achieved international arboretum certification in less than 10-years. Club membership grew during this effort from 150 to 600.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Initially I practiced as a graphic artist. I became intrigued with the reproduction technologies just emerging ~ such as xerography. I applied for scholarships and returned to school receiving a Master’s in paper chemistry. Upon graduation, I became a research scientist developing and improving printing papers for all types of printing processes ~ new and old.
Laboratory success is dependent upon data analysis which was an easy transition into statistical process control being promoted by W. Edwards Deming in the 80’s into American manufacturing.
I was hired as a manufacturing vice president of a printing company. Printing is a marketing tool ~ having a background in graphic arts I could successfully understand their needs ~ sell products.
“Big box” stores were coming on the scene. I was hired by a fortune 500 company to help them achieve marketing grade graphics on a shipping container. Consumers needed to make point-of-purchase decisions from the floor looking at the shipping container of many items such as grills, tools, appliances, etc. I became the project manager and then general manager for a “greenfield” facility using totally new technology. That facility captured 45% of the domestic market share in less than 5-years and set the standard for the market.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Today my friends want to see and experience Desert Meadows Park. Obviously I am proud of the garden club achievement and they hear about it so want to see the park if visiting in town. The last group of out of town friends came for a morning hike along the Santa Cruz River, then a lunch at Desert Meadows Park and followed by another short hike. I prepared 3 Southwest recipes for lunch and baked fresh bread. When baking bread I like to use recipes that show off a sourdough starter that I have maintained for nearly 60 years ~ it was 15 years old when I received it from a friend that has since passed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The committed, creative, retired folks from all careers and backgrounds that have created the Desert Meadows Park with me in Green Valley, AZ since 2014.

Website: www.greenvalleygardeners.com

Image Credits
All photos taken personally ~ Chuck Parsons

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