Leadership:
Doug Parker
Doug has been involved in hospitality procurement for over 29 years. A graduate of Tulane University in International Business & Political Science, he began work at the company, founded by his father, Leonard Parker, in 1980. One of Doug’s primary goals was the worldwide expansion and development of the company. After managing this expansion overseas, his main concentration has been to diversify the company’s client base in the US to include assisted living facilities, sports arenas and restaurant groups. His foremost objective is maintaining the company’s core values of integrity, professionalism and exceptional service.
Philip Parker
Philip, who oversees the company’s Operating Supplies & Equipment Division (OS&E), has worked in the hospitality procurement industry for more than 25 years. In addition to procurement, the OS&E division provides technical and consulting services to hotel and management companies, developers and individual hotel properties. In addition to heading the OS&E Division, Philip’s responsibilities include Sales and Project Management. Philip is a graduate of Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts.
Mitch Parker
In his 25th year in hospitality procurement, Mitch spent nine years as Vice President-West Coast Operations, heading the Los Angeles office of the company which included responsibility for sales and marketing of the West Coast region as well as the company’s Singapore office. He relocated back to Miami in 1996. Along with Sales and Project Management, Mitch is responsible for the operational aspects of the company including IT, HR and Accounting. Mitch is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a BS in Sociology.
Linda Hein
Linda has been with the company for 28 years having held senior positions in every operational area. In addition to directing projects for the company’s largest client for over 15 years, she conducts training workshops for the FF&E staff. Recent projects under Linda’s direction include The Cove, Atlantis; Nobu, Moscow; One & Only Palmilla in Cabo, Mexico, and the Seagate Hotel in Delray Beach, Florida. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida, Tampa with a BA in History and Political Science, holds a Real Estate License in the State of Florida and is a recent graduate of the FBI’s Citizens’ Academy.
Titus D.F. van der Werf
Titus D.F. van der Werf has successfully turned The Parker Company (Middle East) from a local entity into one of the region’s leading hospitality procurement businesses. As Managing Director, Titus was ranked number 47 of the Power 50 by Hotelier magazine in 2009 and continues to exceed the expectations of the region’s developers and operators. Prior to his 15 years with The Parker Company, Titus was a senior executive with Golden Tulip Hotels, Holiday Inns International and Inter-Continental Hotels.
Johannes Merkel
After spending 8 years as the Head of Sales for Interior Design and Fit-Out for Systemhaus Bissinger, in Munich, Germany Johannes moved to Amsterdam becoming the Director of Projects for The Parker Company. After completing numerous projects in Europe, Johannes moved to Dubai in 2001 as Director of Projects and now General Manager for The Parker Company Middle East. Johannes' responsibilities not only include Project Management but the daily operational aspects of the company.
Marilyn Webb
Marilyn has been with the company for over 30 years. She has directed the FF&E procurement of numerous Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Hilton hotels throughout the country and is currently responsible for the Northern Quest Hotel & Casino in Washington State, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Aspen, Colorado. Marilyn holds licenses in both Real Estate and Insurance from the State of Florida.
Cheryn Purcell
Cheryn, who has been with the company for 25 years, spent time in the company’s South Africa and Dubai offices not only working on projects but implementing staff training. She has been responsible for many Westin and Renaissance hotels as well as the Harborside timeshare at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. She is currently handling the Bonnet Creek project in Orlando consisting of Hilton and Waldorf-Astoria hotels.
Nancy Smith
Nancy has been with the company for 24 years. In addition to being responsible for such projects as The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach and the Epic Hotel in Miami, Nancy is currently handling The Savoy, London. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and FIU School of Hospitality Management. Nancy is fluent in both French and Spanish.
Ruth Arsenijevic
Ruth joined the company 20 years ago and has spent the last 15 years managing international projects in Asia, Europe and Latin America. She is responsible for all procurement for the company’s largest Latin American client and was involved in the start up of the company’s offices in both Amsterdam and London. Ruth is perfectly bilingual in English and Spanish and is currently handling the Pond Bay Resort in St. John, USVI and the EN Plaza Hotel in Namibia.
Susie Franco
Susie has been with the company for 4 years and has over 20 years of food & beverage experience. Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach and Tucker’s Point, Bermuda are two of the major projects Susie has recently completed while currently handling the JW Marriott Marquis/Beaux Arts in Miami. Susie is a graduate of the FIU School of Hospitality Management and continued her studies at the California Culinary Academy where she earned a Chef’s Certificate with high honors.
