Mark A. Parks, Jr. was sworn into office January 1, 2008. Mark had previously served on Council in 2005 after being selected by unanimous decision to fill a council vacancy.

A Certified Public Accountant, Parks is a Budget & Management Analysts for the Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners. He also serves as the strategic director for the MAP Group, a tax, consulting, and financial education firm.

Councilman Parks serves as the chairman of the finance committee. He wants to ensure that Orange Village’s superior services continue, while the community is experiencing growth and change. “As the community develops and improves, we to make sure that we continue to offer the same quality of services that were in place when Orange Village was a smaller more intimate community.” “Housing has increased and more families are moving into the area.” “It’s important that we adapt to the positive changes that are taking place, yet maintain the same level of commitment to our residents.”

Councilman Parks is the Board Treasurer for Continue Life Inc., a homeless Shelter and transitional housing facility for pregnant and/or parenting teenage girls. Parks is the Executive Board Treasurer for the National Black MBA Association, and he is on the Audit Committee for Community United Headstart. He also serves on the Ambassador’s Council for the Club at Key Center and he is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He is also a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.

His background in financial and cash management, general accounting, taxation, and governmental accounting gives him the expertise needed to chair the Finance Committee. He has served as a Regional Vice President for a Fortune 500 company and as the Chief Financial Officer for midsize governmental and non-profit organizations.

Councilman Parks received a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College majoring in Business Administration and Political Science. He also has a Master’s of Business Administration in e-Business.

He and his wife Connie and two sons, Mark III and Charles have lived in Orange Village since 1997.