Mr. Parkinson is chiefly known as the co-founder of semiconductor manufacturer, Micron Technology (NYSE:MU). Mr. Parkinson served as president and then as chairman and CEO of Micron for many years, beginning with the company's inception until his retirement in 1994 when the company's products and services included semiconductor memories, personal computers and custom manufacturing of a variety of high tech products. During his tenure at Micron, he also served as a board member of the Semiconductor Industry Association (including a year as chairman) and was a co-founding board member of the private-governmental research consortium, Sematech, expending over $200 million per year on research for the semiconductor industry.  Since then, Mr. Parkinson has held leadership positions at a number of technology companies, including Chairman and CEO of 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ:EGHT), where he guided the company through its IPO before stepping down in January 1998 and then as Chairman of the board from November 2000 to January 2004, as Vice Chairman from December 2003 to January 2004, and as CEO from January 2001 to February 2002.  He was elected back on the board of 8x8 in April 2006 and continues to serve in that capacity plus as a part-time employee.   He also serves as chairman of the private company, Jarbridge, Inc. in Boise, Idaho (pursuing intellectual property applicable to internet retail sales), and he serves on the board of First American Title Holding Company (owning and operating 47 title and escrow offices in Idaho and Montana).  He served as a consultant for, and investor in, numerous small companies, including recent work related to semiconductor manufacturing in China.

Mr. Parkinson received a B.A from Columbia College, a J.D. from Tulane University School of Law, and an L.L.M. (in Taxation) from New York University School of Law.

Mr. Parkinson has a history of serving in education.  In addition to teaching math and coaching basketball teams at a small high school in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, he taught business and tax courses as an assistant professor at Tulane University School of Law and as a visiting assistant professor at New York University School of Law in the tax program. Mr. Parkinson currently serves on the Board of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has served on the boards of a number of charities and public institutions, including the Idaho State Board of Education (overseeing all public colleges and K-12 in Idaho), Idaho Health Facilities Authority (providing tax exempt financing for hospitals in Idaho), Red Cross of Idaho, Boise State University Foundation, Boise Philharmonic and Idaho Diabetes Association.