Following his graduation form Middle Tennessee State University in 1970, Bob Parks was employed as an underwriter for State Farm Insurance. A short time later he purchased his first home, the catalyst that landed him where he is today.

In 1972, Bob became a licensed realtor and joined Clark Maples Realty in Murfreesboro. After spending three years as an affiliate broker, he decided to put some of his management philosophies to work as broker of his own real estate company.

Bob Parks Realty opened on July 23, 1975. The guiding principles upon which Bob Parks founded and built his successful business are fairness, honesty and commitment.

With only himself, two agents and a secretary, Bob Parks put into practice a style of management that positions the broker as a manager rather than salesman. Proving to be a man ahead of his time, Bob's cutting-edge approach in the 1970's is now a common practice in the industry.

Sales from Bob Parks Realty's first year transactions totaled $1.3 million. Today Bob Parks Realty is Rutherford County's largest real estate company and ranks second in sales volume in Tennessee. The company's 400 full-time agents recorded sales in 2000 of $765 million.

In addition to the corporate headquarters in Murfreesboro, the company has 12 additional residential offices.

Bob says that the true measure of commitment is one's willingness to give not only of his resources but also of his personal time. That is why he has given his time to serve as president of numerous civic and community organizations including the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, the local Board of Realtors, Leadership Rutherford, Rutherford 20/20 (a project aimed at developing strategic plans for Rutherford County's future), and the Optimist Club. In recent years, he was chairman of the 1977 local United Way campaign and was bestowed Middle Tennessee State University's Distinguished Alumni Award in May 1998.

"Christmas for the Children" is Bob Parks Realty's major community project each year. In 2000, $55,000 was raised to provide personalized gifts of toys and necessities, a meal and entertainment for over 400 underprivileged children. Leftover monies are used to fund the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City School systems' indigent funds.

In late 1999, Bob Parks Realty became a corporate sponsor of the local chapter of Make A Wish, a national organization that grants wishes to seriously ill children. The firm has committed to make a donation with each real estate closing, guaranteeing a minimum annual contribution of $10,000.