STAFF SPOTLIGHT (continued)

Bill is the eldest in a family of six sons. Due to a military father, the family relocated approximately every two years. At Auburn University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master’s degree in counseling, Bill met Leigh. The two were married just before Bill entered the University of Florida to pursue his doctorate in counseling.

Bill has worked in the behavioral health field for 35 years. He started in Gainesville, Florida, as Director of Adult Outpatient Services of the not-for-profit Mental Health Services Inc. He then moved to Panama City and served as the Administrator of Rivendell Psychiatric Hospital, an 80 bed JCAHO-accredited, HCFA-certified, private, for-profit psychiatric hospital serving adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. After nearly six years in that position, he started Ventures Healthcare, a management company responsible for providing psychiatric services to med/surg hospitals and community mental health centers.

From 2009 to 2014, Bill worked for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as Chief Administrator of the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Associate Executive Director of Vanderbilt Behavioral Health in what he referred to as “the best job I ever had.”

Prior to Timberline Knolls, Bill successfully completed a one-year assignment for Acadia Healthcare to open a new 120 bed psychiatric hospital in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

“I have enjoyed every position I have held for different reasons. Each experience I have had has built on the previous experience,” Bill said. “So by this phase in my career, I feel I have seen and done as much as one person can do; I think it gives me a perspective that a lot of younger administrators might not have.”

Bill’s great passion is service. He has a profound and deep desire to help others. “In the 90s, I read a book by Chuck Colson, in which I learned about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a man who preached a gospel of action. I knew I had to commit to doing more to help people. That is when I got involved in prison ministry.”

Throughout the years, this affiliation has translated into everything from helping former inmates find housing to regular visitations with death row inmates. “I was involved with several men who came close to execution. Although it was terrifying, it was a privilege to work with them.”

The Parsons family includes daughters Lindsey, 32, and Kendall, 21, and son-in-law Brasher Burbank. Bill and Leigh have two grandsons, Braiden, 11, and Brody, 9. When time permits, Bill can be found on the links perfecting his golf swing. He also enjoys experimenting with culinary creations in the kitchen. Word on the street is that he makes a pretty mean red snapper.

Unlike many CEOs, Bill is no desk jockey. Every single day, he is out walking the campus, going from lodge to lodge, ensuring that staff is appreciated and residents are receiving the care they need and deserve… all just part of doing things well and doing them right.