Ted Parker, Harbor Industries

In 1960, Henry T. (Ted ) Parker began working for Harbor Industries, the company his father founded in 1946, as a plant manager, outside sales rep and general manager before becoming president of the company in 1971. During his 36 year tenure as president, Ted grew sales from $2.7 million to more than $90 million and the company built a state of the art 380,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Charlevoix, Michigan.

A longtime member of POPAI and former member of the organization’s Board of Directors, Ted helped lead Harbor Industries to such notable achievements as the creation of a Sustainable Business Initiative and being named a Partner in Progress by Sears Roebuck and Company in 1990, 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the retailer named the company a Partner in Progress and also Innovative Supplier of the Year. Less than 1% of Sears suppliers earn this distinction. Harbor Industries was also named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to work in Western Michigan.

In the community, Ted was honored by the local Chamber of Commerce for community service and received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and in 2006 Harbor Industries was named Recycler of the Year by the Charlevoix County Recycling Program. Under Ted’s leadership, the firm organized numerous blood drives, food drives, and toy drives for needy children. The firm also created a team of employees who work with area agencies to match community volunteers with people in need.

Ted retired from as President of Harbor Industries in 2008 and currently serves as the firm’s Chairman of the Board.