Parker’s career took several turns before he settled into a job that works for him and his family

Parker has a strong sense of purpose, and he’s remained flexible throughout his working life—a skill that has enabled him to pivot when necessary and explore opportunities when they’ve come knocking.

After he graduated from Harwood Union Middle and High School, he attended Castleton State College (now Vermont State Castleton) to pursue a business degree. He realized that wasn’t his path and left after two semesters. He spent the next few years working at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in his hometown of Waterbury. After a few years, he applied to Vermont Technical College (now Vermont State Randolph), where he was able to return to school full time.

Parker graduated at 25 with an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering. Superior Technical Ceramics in Saint Albans hired him before he’d even graduated to work as a R&D material technician. For the next few years, he helped develop porous ceramic materials, ceramic armor plating, and similar mixes.

During that time, when his mother was moving, she found a picture of a wind turbine Parker drew in second grade. It said, “green energy is the future.” For a while, Parker had been feeling like his career in ceramics wasn’t quite what he wanted. The picture was a catalyst. He decided to look for a career in green energy and joined Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) as an energy associate. Over the years he worked his way up to metering specialist. Working on the measurement and verification side meant he was helping incentivize people to invest in more energy-efficient equipment.

“I was proving the math on energy efficiency installations and showing that energy savings were verified,” he said. “I was there almost a decade, but like so many people was laid off when COVID hit.”

He took a variety of farm labor and masonry jobs for the next few years, and it was during this time that he saw a new opening. He started his own company, Hobs Hauling LLC with a dump truck, backhoe, and trailer. He made a name for himself digging ponds, retention ditches, laying concrete, and doing stone and tiling.

“I saw a need to be a CDL licensed driver."

During a sudden slowdown in his business, Parker saw yet another opportunity instead of a dead end. He began working toward getting his CDL license at Stafford Technical Center in West Rutland, ensuring his options were open as his business began to take a turn.

But financing the class proved to be a challenge, especially as Parker’s business was winding down. “Most people just don’t have that kind of tuition money sitting in the bank,” he said.

Parker filled out the contact form on VSAC’s website and was connected with Martha McCaughin, an outreach counselor in VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). VSAC’s EOC helps adults access college and career training. He was looking for some financial aid for the class, and Martha was able to help him apply to the program and get his paperwork in order, as well as offer guidance to help Parker select a program that would support his goals.

“I chose Stafford because they have a great reputation and because they teach manual transmission trucks,” he said. “Safety is really important to me too, and they have a reputation for graduating safe, responsible drivers.”

Parker was ultimately awarded money to cover tuition at Stafford through VSAC’s Vermont Trades Tuition Benefit Program. “The financial aid from VSAC was what made it so I could take the class and get my Class A CDL,” he added.

It was a tough few months. The class started in the dead of winter on Saturdays, and required Parker to leave home before sunrise and return after sunset. “I’d be there all day on Saturday, leaving at 5am to drive the two hours to Rutland, where I’d be in class until 4:30pm, and then would need to drive the 2 hours home,” he said. Luckily, it was only four months, and he had his Class A CDL by April

Making the transition to driving

While at Lamell Lumber in Essex one day to pick up material for a job, he noticed the trucks in the yard that the business uses to haul wood chips, sawdust, and other materials.

Parker saw the opportunity and decided to pursue it. “I actually went in and asked them for a job on the spot. I filled out an application and they hired me within 45 minutes. I started the next Monday.”

He’s been working for Lamell Lumber for over a year now. And, he and his wife, Claire, a preschool teacher, welcomed a son earlier this year.

When Parker reflects on the turns his career has taken, he expresses gratitude for the opportunities he’s had that led him to where he is today. And, he’s grateful for Martha. “Bless her, what a wonderful person,” he said.

For her part, Martha shared that what she loves about Parker’s story is his curiosity and tenacity. “He paid attention, got an idea how to make himself more employable and then got the training he needed,” she said. “Life often shows us possibilities if we’re willing to pay attention.”