Michael Parrish

Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (OALC)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael D. Parrish was appointed VA’s Chief Acquisition Officer and Principal Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC) on March 1, 2021. He serves as Chief Acquisition Officer, overseeing all acquisition, contract administration, and supply-chain processes for the Department. As the advisor to the Secretary on acquisition, logistics, and construction issues, he directs the development of policies, determines priorities, and establishes organizational goals and objectives for OALC. Mr. Parrish has over 35 years of senior leadership experience in military, government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. After graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, Mr.Parrish served for 14 years on active duty and 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserves where he held various leadership positions of increasing responsibility as an Army Aviator, serving as an Air Operations Officer during Desert Storm and culminating as a member of the Army Acquisition Corps. Mr. Parrish has been Chairman & CEO of several publicly traded companies and was founder and CEO for several start-ups, including 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 Inc. 500 list for 2006 and 2007. Previously, Mr. Parrish held various executive leadership positions with several General Electric Companies where he served in roles such as General Manager for global logistics and services for GE's Water business, and earlier, as Managing Director for GE Capital specializing in e-commerce, six sigma, and productivity of several of GE's equipment management groups. Additionally, Mr. Parrish holds a Master's degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of The Air War College and is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management. Mr. Parrish is rotary wing and fixed wing multi-engine qualified and instrument rated as a pilot and has logged over 1,500 flight hours in military and civilian aircraft. Mr. Parrish 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. Mr. Parrish has over 35 years of senior leadership experience in military, government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the Department of Veterans Affairs, he served as Professor of Practice/Senior Advisor of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Parrish has been Chairman & CEO of several publicly traded companies and was founder and CEO for multiple Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses. Additionally, he held executive leadership positions for several General Electric (GE) companies where he served as General Manager for global logistics and services for GE’s Water business, and as Managing Director for GE Capital specializing in e-commerce, six sigma, and productivity of several GE’s equipment management groups.

A retired Colonel, Mr. Parrish served for 14 years on active duty and 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Senior Army Aviator and Army Acquisition Corps Officer, serving as an Air Operations Officer during Desert Storm. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1985 and holds a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University as well as an MBA with Honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of The Air War College and is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management. Mr. Parrish is the past President of the West Point Society of Philadelphia and has served on the advisory boards of the American Society for Engineering Management, Delaware Valley Industrial Resources Center, USO of Southeast Pennsylvania/New Jersey and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Event Participation