Bob Parsons
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Robert Ralph Parsons (born November 27, 1950) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1997, he founded the GoDaddy group of companies, including Internet domain name registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains, and Blue Razor Domains.<ref name=sanders>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2011, Parsons sold approximately 70 percent of GoDaddy to a private equity consortium and resigned his position as CEO.<ref name=damouni>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=juliebort>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June 2014, he stepped down from his position as Executive Chairman and served on the board until 2018.<ref name=damouni /><ref name=toddbishop>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=davidwhitford>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="The Arizona Republic">Template:Cite news</ref>
Parsons is the founder and CEO of YAM Worldwide, Inc., which is home to his entrepreneurial ventures in the fields of power sports, golf, real estate, and marketing.<ref name=companyoverview>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 2012, Parsons and his wife Renee founded The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which provides funding, primarily in the greater Phoenix area, to nonprofit organizations.<ref name=anderson>Template:Cite news</ref> In December 2013, they joined The Giving Pledge, an initiative started by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett that requires signators to commit at least half of their fortunes to charity.<ref name="CNN Money">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As of September 2023, Parsons is ranked No. 314 on the Forbes 400 list of The Richest People in America.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His memoir Fire in the Hole was released May 7, 2024 by Simon & Schuster.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Early life and educationEdit
Parsons was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was a homemaker while his father worked as a furniture salesman for Montgomery Ward.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
After nearly flunking out of high school, Parsons enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.<ref name="cnn">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was assigned to the 26th Marine Regiment, which was attached to and operated as part of the 1st Marine Division. In 1969, he served as a rifleman in the Delta Company of the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, during a tour of duty in Vietnam, in the Quảng Nam Province.<ref name="worthwhile">Template:Cite journal</ref>
He was wounded in action, medically evacuated, and spent two months at a naval hospital recovering from his wounds. As a result of his service and injury, he earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Purple Heart.<ref name="dnjournal">Template:Cite journal</ref>
In 1975, Parsons obtained an accounting degree from the University of Baltimore, graduating magna cum laude.<ref name="ubalt.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then began his career in IT and software sales industry.<ref name="Who's Your Go Daddy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The University of Baltimore conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on May 21, 2008.<ref name='2008-05-24'>Template:Cite news</ref>
Parsons TechnologyEdit
In 1984, he founded Parsons Technology in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and began selling MoneyCounts, a home accounting program. Eventually, Parsons Technology grew to be a 1,000-employee, privately held company. On September 27, 1994, Parsons completed the sale of Parsons Technology to Intuit, Inc. for $64 million.<ref name="sec1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
GoDaddyEdit
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Parsons founded the Internet domain registrar and Web hosting company GoDaddy in 1997.<ref name=sanders /> In July 2011, Parsons sold approximately 70 percent of GoDaddy to a private equity consortium led by KKR & Co. L.P. and Silver Lake, and resigned his position as CEO.<ref name=damouni /><ref name=juliebort /> In June 2014, Parsons stepped down from his position as Executive Chairman. Parsons announced he would be fully stepping away from GoDaddy in October 2018, relinquishing his board seat.<ref name="stepping down">Template:Cite news</ref>
YAM Worldwide, Inc.Edit
In 2012, Parsons founded the Scottsdale, Arizona-based YAM Worldwide Inc., "home of [Parsons'] entrepreneurship operations ... in the fields of power sports, golf, real estate, marketing, innovation and philanthropy."<ref name=companyoverview /><ref name="Robert R. Parsons CPA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="YAM Worldwide Overview">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
YAM Capital is YAM Worldwide's private lending and investment arm, specializing in commercial real estate lending and acquisition of closely held middle-market companies.<ref name="YAM Capital">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Phoenix Business Journal">Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2013, Parsons acquired Martz Agency, a 25-employee public relations firm in Scottsdale, Arizona.<ref name="bizjournals.com">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2015, Bob Parsons rebranded the firm to BIG YAM, The Parsons Agency, a full-service advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2016, Parsons launched Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale at the YAM Worldwide Center where much of YAM Worldwide is based. Sneaky Big Studio provides production, post-production, and recording studio services including editorial, visual effects, color finishing, and audio.
In 2017, Parsons established The YAMWOOD Foundry, a business that creates custom, unique furniture, signs, and lighting fixtures for residential and commercial projects.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Motorcycle dealershipsEdit
YAM Worldwide subsidiaries LZ Delta, L.L.C. and MS LZ Delta, L.L.C. operate Harley-Davidson and multi-brand motorcycle dealerships in Arizona, Mississippi, and Tennessee.<ref name="Motorcycle & Powersports News">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Parsons is also founder and CEO of Scottsdale-based Spooky Fast Customs, which creates customized motorcycle designs and fabrications.<ref name="corbett">Template:Cite news</ref>
In April 2014, Parsons announced plans to build the "world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership" in Scottsdale.<ref name=corbett /> Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale opened in 2015, the two-story, 150,000 square-foot dealership includes a lingerie boutique, tattoo and piercing parlor, arcade, movie theater, and wedding chapel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
GolfEdit
In September 2013, Parsons purchased The Golf Club Scottsdale, a 292-acre members-only golf course, for $600,000 and undisclosed debt, and renamed it Scottsdale National Golf Club.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=duthie>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2014, Parsons purchased undeveloped properties adjacent to his golf course including a 223-acre parcel for a reported $55 million, a 41-acre parcel for $5.4 million, and a smaller tract for $2.3 million.<ref name="ReferenceB">Template:Cite news</ref> Also in 2014, Parsons announced plans to build a new clubhouse, nine-hole practice facility, and second 18-hole golf course on the property.<ref name=duthie />
Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG)Edit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In January 2015, Parsons launched Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), a high-end golf club manufacturing company.<ref name="Golf.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=travisarbon>Template:Cite news</ref> The same month, professional golfer Ryan Moore used prototype PXG irons and wedges when he played in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, a PGA Tour event.<ref name=travisarbon />
Real estate holdingsEdit
Since 2012, YAM Properties has purchased more than 675,000 square feet of commercial real estate in Arizona's Valley of the Sun region.<ref name="About YAM Properties">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> YAM properties include:
- Scottsdale Grayhawk Center, 147,084-square-foot retail plaza, acquired for $36.885 million<ref name="ReferenceC">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Vizzda.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Retail and office projects Citadelle Plaza and II Palazzo, acquired for $27.3 million<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Arrowhead Professional Center, a 71,066-square-foot office project, acquired for $13.25 million<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Retail space in two properties that total 66,983 square feet, acquired for $8.575 million<ref name=rolling>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- McDowell Mountain Marketplace, an 84,087-square-foot retail center, acquired for $14.125 million<ref name="Vizzda.com" />
- Centerpoint on Mill, a 127,027-square-foot mixed-use development, acquired for $38.35 million<ref name=rolling /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Hayden Station, a 107,508-square-foot mixed-used development, acquired for $26.5 million<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- The Cornerstone shopping center, acquired for $29 million<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Westgate Entertainment District, 533,000 square feet of retail, office and residential space; Located adjacent to Gila River Arena, in Glendale, Arizona. It was acquired in June 2018 for $133 million<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Shops at Norterra, paid $108 million in cash for the open-air shopping and restaurant development at Interstate 17 and Happy Valley Road<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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The Bob & Renee Parsons FoundationEdit
In 2012, Bob and Renee Parsons established the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation. Since then, the Foundation has awarded to more than 96 charities and organizations worldwide. A third of the total money awarded has been spent in local Arizona charities.<ref name=CBS5AZ>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
They joined Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett's The Giving Pledge in 2010 and agreed to donate half their wealth to charity.<ref name=CBS5AZ /> Since its inception, the foundation has donated over $10 million on a yearly basis, placing it among the state's 10 biggest givers.<ref name="USA Today">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The foundations main focus areas can be categorized in disaster relief, veterans, and the Phoenix community. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, The foundation pledged $500 thousand for Hope for Haiti and a further $4 million towards relief efforts.<ref name="Inside Philanthropy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation has supported several veterans' organizations, mainly the Semper Fi Fund, with donations exceeding $8.5 million, mostly in the form of matching donations.<ref name="Semper Fi Fund">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="The Chronicle of Philanthropy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="University of Baltimore">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In or around Phoenix, Arizona, it has donated more than $8 million to United Methodist Outreach Centers (UMOM) and its New Day Centers, which the organization spent in part to pay off the mortgage for one of its biggest facilities. It has also donated at least $10 million to the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, helping it open its new center.<ref name="USA Today" /><ref name="MHN Online">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is also donor to the Obama Foundation, having given more than $1 million to the foundation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Other projects the foundation was involved with include the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, which amounted to three grants totaling $3.7 million to upgrade its laser system;<ref name="Keck Observatory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Girl Scouts through the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program;<ref name="Girl Scouts AZ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> $4 million in scholarship funds for theDream.us;<ref name="Phoeniz Business Journal">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a $1.5 million grant to the Phoenix Children's Hospital in support of one of its community outreach programs;<ref name="Philanthropy News Digest">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> $1 million towards the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center;<ref name="Dignity Health">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> $1.4 million for the Murphy Kids Dental Clinic;<ref name=CASSAZ>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and $2 million to Circle the City, in order for the organization to launch a new primary healthcare center.<ref name=Yahoo>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Political activitiesEdit
Parsons is a registered Independent.<ref name=esquire>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2012, Parsons donated $1 million to Restore Our Future, Mitt Romney's Super PAC.<ref name=Romney>Template:Cite news</ref>
On December 8, 2016, Parsons donated $1 million to the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ControversiesEdit
In 2011, Parsons was criticized by animal rights and other groups for tweeting a video in which he shoots and kills an elephant on a safari in Zimbabwe.<ref name=Gawker>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Gawker2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In response, Parsons said, "elephants are not endangered and probably there are too many of them."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora elephants are listed as Schedule II.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Parsons was unapologetic and believed the controversy would not harm his company, saying "For anyone leaving GoDaddy, someone new has come. It has had minimal impact—and probably overall, I see it as a net positive. All publicity is good publicity if you’re [in] the right. I can’t quantify it for you. I didn’t do this to promote GoDaddy."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
GoDaddy was criticized as sexist for advertising practices between its first Super Bowl ad in 2005 through the company's IPO in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "The Go Daddy girl was my idea," Parsons said. "I told the ad agency, I want a really well-endowed, good-looking gal in a tight T-shirt, with our name right across her breasts."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He used his blog to draw attention to ads that were rejected from television as too racy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
ReferencesEdit
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