has shown ethical leadership and made a real difference to our students and his community. He has been kind, insightful and down to earth. He is very deserving of this award.” Parkin started his career at Deloitte and advanced to several leadership roles in the audit practice, including chief financial officer of the U.S. audit and assurance practice and Silicon Valley audit and assurance practice leader. During his tenure with Deloitte, he lived in Portland, New York, Seattle, St. Louis, and San Jose. “I was constantly given new challenges at Deloitte,” Parkin said. “Every five to eight years, I was given a new opportunity. I could continue to learn in that culture and feel good about what I was doing.” One of the projects Parkin is most proud of is when, as a young partner at Deloitte, he helped manage Microsoft’s account. “It was a tremendous high point for me,” Parkin said. “I was working with a company who was on the leading edge of technology. Microsoft was one of the most demanding clients I worked for, but when we delivered, they were one of the most appreciative.” Parkin attributes his success in leadership, in part, to an inquisitive nature and a desire to know more about Deloitte’s mission and how the company could achieve it. “I was always trying to understand more, and I would see which leader was around the table in a work setting and ask him or her questions,” he said. “I got to thinking, ‘Is that something I could do? Is that a job I could do?’” After he retired, Parkin wanted to give back to the College of Business even more, an ethos he learned from his parents. “My parents weren’t rich, but they were charitable,” he said. “My father was a scout leader, and my mother volunteered locally in our school. They taught me the value of giving back early on, so after you spend 35 years working your tail off, it’s very satisfying to be in a position where I can share with others.” Giving back has been rewarding for Parkin: Not only has he been able to bring more than 40 industry professionals to speak in his undergraduate classroom, but some students have even reached out for advice after the class was over. “I’m building a sense of authentic trust where they would say, ‘Hey Jim, I’m wrestling with this problem. Do you have thoughts or advice?’” Parkin said. “That feels really good and fully satisfying.” He’s proud, too, of the college’s evolution since he was a student and since he joined the Dean’s Council of Excellence. “The College of Business is key to the university’s overall mission,” he said. “They are helping people in the state of Oregon, throughout the west coast and the world. I’ve seen so much progress being made, and I’m glad to be involved in whatever way I can.” I’m trying to bring to students what I wish I knew when I graduated. I want to help them understand the industry perspective while they’re in college. Business Matters | 11
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