KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 8, 2026

He began to feel embraced on his first visit to campus in 1993, which lasted a couple of days longer than expected when a surprise blizzard dumped well over a foot of snow on ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ and much of the South.
A student athlete, his junior college basketball coach encouraged Parrish to consider ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State as a place to continue his education and playing career, and the match between student and college couldn’t have been better.
“The professors were hands on, welcoming, and all in for ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ student success,â€� he said. “The ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ environment was rich for networking with lots of professionals and executives in the student body. Those relationships and networking proved to be the launchpad for my career.â€�
Thirty years later, Parrish is a successful investment adviser at Parrish Capital, the firm he founded in 2014, and serves as chairman of the ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Foundation Board of Trustees. In support of the university’s largest comprehensive fundraiser, The Campaign for ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State, which launched in 2023 to raise $200 million, Parrish contributed a $100,000 gift to the Athletics Capital Campaign. He also made a $50,000 gift earlier in the Campaign.
Parrish’s two major gifts to The Campaign for ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State paved the way for others to participate and are helping ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Athletics deliver the facilities necessary to compete in Conference USA.
“I felt that making an unrestricted gift would be best and offer much needed flexibility,� he said. “I understand the appeal of endowments and leaving a legacy. But, it’s very important to give the university flexibility in meeting needs, and I hope more people will consider gifting unrestricted funds.�
Parrish has been a member of the ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2010, serving as chair since July 1, 2024. During his tenure, he has served on several committees and chaired the Investment Committee, where his efforts helped double the Foundation’s endowment in three years. In 2021, he received the Chairman’s Award for his efforts. Parrish is a member of the ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Athletics Campaign subcommittee and is also a member of the ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Athletic Association Board.
Prior to Parrish Capital, Parrish served as principal and director of investments at Henssler Financial – founded by ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Professor Finance Emeritus Gene Henssler – and co-portfolio manager of the Henssler Equity Fund. He graduated from ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State in 1995 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and earned the coveted Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2004. While at ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½, he served as captain of the men's basketball team and has remained a dedicated supporter of ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ athletics.
“Essentially this is truly a full circle moment for me,â€� he said. “As a former student athlete, I benefited from the work of the ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ Foundation. It is an out-of-body feeling to be able to support the mission of ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½, pour into students financially and through mentorship, and foster their success and experience. I feel like ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ and the Foundation are an embedded part of my legacy. It is personal to me. ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ is family.â€�
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. ÌÇÐĹú²ú´«Ã½ State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.