LCDR Parker pursued his B.S. at Bowling Green Sate University in Bowling Green, Ohio and M.S. in NOVA South Eastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Before joining the NOAA Corps, he worked three years as co-pilot/diver to 46 passenger Atlantis™ submersible operating to depths of 150 FSW off Waikiki Beach, HI, and seven years as captain/operator on various ferries operating between Port Clinton, OH and Put-In-Bay, OH. Previous assignment within NOAA Corps include Program Manager of the NWFSC / Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division (FRAMD), the Executive Officer and acting Commanding Officer aboard NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN, Antarctic Biologist on the SWFSC / Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division (AERD), Field Operations Officer, and acting Executive Officer aboard NOAA Ship TOWNSEND CROMWELL, Port Captain on the NOAA Honolulu Port Office and Navigation and Safety Officer aboard NOAA Ship TOWNSEND CROMWELL