Parks to head Methodist Foundation
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 05 June 2013 16:58
- Written by Paul Gordon
Roberta Parks, president of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, will take over leadership of the Methodist Foundation on July 1, UnityPoint Health-Methodist announced Wednesday.
Parks will replace Rebekah Bourland, who retired earlier this year, as vice president of the Methodist Foundation. Her last day with the Chamber of Commerce, for whom she has worked for 25 years -- including the last four as president -- will be June 14.
In making the announcement, CEO Debbie Simon cited Parks' many years of service to the community and her vast knowledge of the community, its people and its organizations.
"We're delighted to add Roberta to our team here at UnityPoint Health-Methodist," Simon said. "She has a long history of involvement and leadership in the community and we're confident her community visibility and client relationship skills will be of great value as the health system continues to grow."
Simon continued, "The Methodist Foundation develops the resources that enhance the patient and family experience and contribute greatly to the health of the community at large. We are indeed fortunate to have an individual with her community prominence as part of the UnityPoint Methodist Executive team."
In addition to the Chamber, Roberta Parks has served as Executive Director of the Tri-County Community Partnership, intergovernmental coordinator for the City of Peoria and associate executive director of the YWCA.
She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bradley University with a degree in Business Management and Administration.
Parks said her departure from the Chamber of Commerce at virtually the same time its parent organization, the Heartland Partnership, is being restructured and renamed the Greater Peoria Business Alliance was purely coincidental.
"I was not at all looking for another job, but this opportunity came along and I felt I should take it," she said. "Yes, there has been some turmoil at the chamber but I am confident it will come through it, so that was not part of it. In all honesty it will be very hard for me to leave the chamber. I love what I do almost every single day and I work with a great group of people.
"This was a very tough decision to make but sometimes you have to take hold of the opportunity that's in front of you," she said.
She noted that Thursday is her 25th anniversary with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. "I joked with somebody that I simply decided that after 25 years in one place and at 62 years old it was time to try something else. Of course, that's not how it's usually done, but these kind of opportunities don't usually come around often, either," she said.
Parks said she doesn't believe the Chamber of Commerce will have a problem filling her position there. "It's a very attractive position in that industry. It's a good size, it's stable. It has a great base and staff," she said.
Renee Charles, director of community and media relations for the Greater Peoria Business Alliance, said a nationwide search for Parks' replacement will begin soon. The chamber is in the process of deciding on an interim president.
"Rob will be greatly missed. She's been here 25 years and we are sad to see her leave. But this is a great opportunity for her and we will continue the work she has already put in place," Charles said.
