Mike Parrish in the 6th

from the inbox, campaign website: www.parrishforcongress.com

Today, Mike Parrish, former Army Aviator and Colonel in the United States Army Reserves announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 6^th Congressional District.  The entrepreneur and father has been a strong advocate for veterans in Southeastern Pennsylvania for the past 15 years.   Currently, Mike serves as finance chair of the Chester County Democrats.   He released the following statement:

“There is a fundamental lack of leadership in Congress today. Politicians are putting their own interests and narrow ideology first, and as a result, the challenges facing everyday Americans are no longer the priority.   Congress isn’t tackling the tough problems of affordable education, job creation and small business investments; and Congress is AWOL when it comes to caring for our veterans.  America needs leaders who value their constituents more than party alliances.

“My father always told me to  ‘Put Up or Shut Up.’   I’m ready to start the next chapter of service to my country.  I’m running for Congress to provide strong leadership and help create more economic opportunities for Southeastern Pennsylvanians.   My 30 years of military and business experience give me a unique perspective to help address these challenges.

“Education is the key to innovation.   The US Army empowered me with a level of education that every American has the right to attain.  It’s time we focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  We have to give our children a stronger educational foundation.  They’re tomorrow’s leaders…the next generation of workers, innovators and entrepreneurs.  College has to be more affordable, so everyone can have the same opportunities I have had.

“We have to help small businesses gain access to best business practices, innovation and capital, to enable them to grow.  As a small business owner myself, I know how important that is for job creation.   And we need to cut wasteful spending so we can invest in high-tech and medical research, something Pennsylvanians do better than anyone.

 “I’ve been an advocate for Veterans my entire life, as a member of Congress, I will make the decisions necessary to ensure that the brave men and women who have served our country are held in the highest esteem.  Our local VA office, one of the largest in the country, is under federal investigation.  We need more than rhetoric to fix these systemic problems.”

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my country throughout my career and I hope to continue to make a difference in the United States Congress.”

Campaign Bio:

About Mike Parrish After graduating from West Point in 1985, Mike Parrish spent 14 years on active duty as an Army Aviator in leadership assignments around the globe. Upon leaving active duty as a member of the Army Acquisition Corps in 1998, he transitioned to the Army Reserves, where he continues to serve today as a Colonel.  Mike has over 30 years of senior leadership experience growing and acquiring various technology-related businesses globally.  Most recently, Mr. Parrish has been Chairman & CEO of several publicly-traded companies and was founder and CEO for an environmental services business, which was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine's “HOT 100,” highlighting the top 100 start-ups in America for 2004, as well as by INC magazine, as the 7th fastest-growing private environmental company on its INC500 list for 2006 and 2007.  Before that,Mike held various executive leadership positions within several General Electric Companies. Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as a Master's in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is the past President of the West Point Society of Philadelphia and served on the advisory boards of the Delaware Valley Industrial Resources Center, USO of Southeast Pennsylvania/New Jersey and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mike lives in Malvern Pennsylvania, and has three children ages 13, 9 and 6.