Lieutenant GovernorState of Kansas
A successful businessman and former Republican legislator, Mark Parkinson is a native Kansan who grew up in Wichita and now resides in Olathe. Mark's family has its roots in Scott City, where they still operate a family farm. He was born in Wichita and attended Heights High School, before going on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Wichita State University in 1980. He graduated first in his class from the University of Kansas Law School in 1984. Mark then entered private practice, going on to form his own law firm in 1986, and served as president of the Johnson County Bar Foundation. Parkinson was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives as a Republican in 1990. Two years later he was elected to the Kansas Senate.
Parkinson was elected chairman of the Kansas Republican Party in 1999 and re-elected with a unanimous vote in 2001, serving until 2003. In 2006, he changed Party affiliation and joined Governor Kathleen Sebelius' ticket for office. He is now Lt. Governor of the State of Kansas.
Mark and Stacy, his wife of more than 20 years, are active in community and charitable organizations, and it was this involvement which led them to be named 2006 Co-Citizens of the Year by United Community Services of Johnson County. They are parents to three children: Alex, Sam, and Kit. They belong to the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.