News Summary
Tim M. Parker Jr., chairman of Parker Towing Company, will be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The ceremony, honoring significant contributors to the state’s economy, is set for November 13. Parker, a U.S. Army veteran and former legislator, has played a pivotal role in the commodities transportation industry, elevating his company to a leading position in the Southeast. Additionally, recent milestones at Parker Towing include honoring longstanding female employees with the christening of two new towboats.
Alabama – Tim M. Parker Jr., a prominent figure in the commodities transportation industry, is set to be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2025. The induction ceremony will take place on November 13 at Haven in downtown Birmingham, honoring Parker alongside five other distinguished individuals.
Parker serves as the chairman of the Parker Towing Company, headquartered in Tuscaloosa. Under his leadership, the company has established itself as a major player in the regional commodities transportation sector, specializing in the transportation of bulk materials including coal, grain, cement, and petroleum products throughout the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast.
The Alabama Business Hall of Fame, located in Hewson Hall at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business, recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s economy and community. Parker is a notable alumnus of The University of Alabama, graduating in 1966 with a degree in business administration.
Career Highlights
In addition to his business endeavors, Parker has an extensive background in public service. He served three terms in the Alabama Legislature, starting in 1990, and held key positions with the Alabama State Port Authority and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority. Parker also participated on the advisory board of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, contributing significantly to various economic development efforts in the region.
Parker is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Vietnam. His commitment to community service is reflected in his leadership roles, including chairing the United Way of Tuscaloosa. In 2014, he was honored as the Alexis De Tocqueville Society’s Family of the Year. His contributions to the community and the business sector have been recognized with several accolades, including being named the University of Alabama’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2016 and the Tuscaloosa Civitan Club’s Citizen of the Year in 2019.
Recent Developments at Parker Towing
Recently, Parker Towing Company celebrated a significant milestone by christening two towboats in honor of longstanding female employees. The first towboat, the mv Mary Ethel, was renamed to recognize Beverly Jo Smith, a longtime office manager who has been with Parker Towing since 1989. The second towboat, the mv LaDonna Rubio, was named in memory of LaDonna Rubio, who sadly passed away shortly before the ceremony. A moment of silence was held for Rubio, followed by a maritime tradition of honoring a fallen sailor with three horn blasts. Family members, including Adam Rubio and Mary Miller, participated in the ceremony to honor her legacy.
The mv LaDonna Rubio will be primarily used for operations on the upper end of the Warrior River, while the mv Mary Ethel will focus on the Gulf Coast area. Parker Towing is acknowledged as one of the largest barge lines in the Southeast, boasting a strong fleet of several hundred towboats. The mv LaDonna Rubio was constructed in 1979 and features crew quarters, while the mv Mary Ethel is noted as a “lunch bucket boat” built in 1970.
Leadership Changes
Parker Towing also announced several key promotions within the company. Lucian Lott has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Sales, while Jared Phillips has been appointed as Vice President of Information Systems. Other promotions include Dan Benken to Vice President of Operations, Will Sledge to Director of Ports and Terminals, Jeremy Headley to Vice President of Sales, and Victor Lott to Port Captain, overseeing operations in Mobile, Alabama.
As Parker prepares for his induction into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, his legacy as a leader in both business and community service remains evident through his numerous accolades and the continuing success of Parker Towing Company.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Patch: Tim Parker Jr. Inducted into Alabama Business Hall of Fame
- Wikipedia: Alabama Business Hall of Fame
- Tuscaloosa Thread: Parker Towing Company Christens Boats
- Google Search: Parker Towing Company
- Patch: Parker Towing Co. Leadership Promotions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Leadership
- Tuscaloosa News: Parker Towing Rechristens Towboats
- Google News: Parker Towing
- Tuscaloosa Thread: Diver Locates Bells from Parker Towing Steamboat
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
