Growing Up in Summerville: The Roots of Innovation
David Parker’s journey from small-town Summerville to running a thriving business is rooted in his hard work, ingenuity, and the unwavering support of his community. Growing up, he wasn’t just a curious child—he was a natural problem-solver.
Raised on a family farm, David learned early that when things broke, you didn’t just call a repairman—you fixed them yourself. “You have to innovate on a farm,” he reflects, explaining how his family’s limited resources meant they had to get creative to keep things running. “We couldn’t afford a mechanic, so we became experts in fixing things ourselves.” This hands-on experience laid the foundation for David’s entrepreneurial spirit, one that would take him from the quiet streets of Summerville to running a business with over 50 employees across multiple states, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Today, David’s business thrives not only in broadband infrastructure but also in disaster resilience, response, and recovery. Leveraging his team’s expertise in logistics and connectivity, David expanded his company to provide essential infrastructure during some of the country’s most severe natural disasters. This enables first responders to coordinate recovery efforts and helps communities get back on their feet. Rooted in his commitment to community, this work has become a central focus of his company’s mission—serving the rural and small-town communities that helped build Parker Systems and providing support in times of crisis.
College Days: A Business Takes Shape
After high school, David Parker left Summerville to pursue Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech. In 1985, while still a student, he co-founded Parker Security, a company providing security system installations. As technology evolved, David saw an opportunity in the emerging fiber optic industry and pivoted the business in the early 1990s to offer high-speed networking solutions.
Recognizing that small towns were often overlooked by larger corporations, David focused on providing them with the same level of connectivity as big cities, but at a better price and with superior service. This shift led to the creation of Parker FiberNet in 1998, a company dedicated to fiber optic infrastructure. To expand its capabilities, Parker FiberNet earned Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) and Other Common Carrier (OCC) status, recognition that allowed the company to offer a broader range of telecommunications services. With this new standing, and eventually a new name, Parker Systems LLC has installed hundreds of miles of fiber optic cable throughout Georgia and surrounding states, bringing broadband access to areas that previously lacked reliable high-speed internet.
A Life-Changing Loan from Southeast First National Bank
Before David’s success, there was a time when his vision exceeded his resources. His entrepreneurial drive and growing ambition required more than just hard work—it needed capital. As Parker Systems continued to evolve, David realized that to take the next step, he needed support beyond his own means. This is where Southeast First National Bank stepped in, providing the crucial backing that would help propel his business forward.
Headquartered in Summerville, Georgia, Southeast First National Bank, a CNote Impact Cash partner, has been a cornerstone in the local community since its founding in 1968. With branches in Summerville, Trion, and Panama City Beach, Florida, the bank’s commitment to local decision-making and community involvement made it the ideal partner for a young entrepreneur like David.
In 1985, when David first sought to expand his business, Southeast First National Bank recognized the potential of his vision. The bank approved a half-million-dollar loan, providing the resources David needed to purchase new equipment and expand operations, including a semi-truck, a trailer, and a directional boring rig. Today David credits much of his success to Southeast First National’s community-first approach. “They believed in me when others wouldn’t. It wasn’t just about the numbers for them—it was about trusting me as a person,” he says.
Disaster Response: Extending His Reach
As Parker Systems grew, David Parker’s commitment to running a good business expanded beyond his core operations. In the early 2000s, he became deeply involved in disaster resilience and response, partnering with Motorola to restore critical infrastructure for emergency responders. Now, when hurricanes like Milton, Helene, and others strike, David’s team is often one of the first on the ground, quickly restoring communication networks so first responders can coordinate recovery efforts.
David’s involvement in disaster response didn’t come by chance. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, watching events unfold on TV, he reached out to an old colleague to offer his help. “I was sitting at home watching the devastation on TV when I called him and asked, ‘What do you need?’” David recalls. His friend replied, “I need generators.” That was the spark that ignited David’s involvement in disaster recovery.
Today, Parker System’s role in disaster response is critical. David’s team provides everything from power generators, mobile fueling stations, and crew accommodations, to fully restored communications infrastructure, enabling affected communities to begin recovery efforts immediately. “We’re there before FEMA, and we leave when they get there,” David says. His team’s prompt response in the initial hours and days after a disaster ensures that communities aren’t isolated while they await federal aid.
Looking Forward: Building a Stronger Future for Small Towns
David’s leadership is guided by a simple philosophy: to give back and pay forward the support he received when starting his business. For him, success isn’t just about profit; it’s about creating opportunities for others, particularly his employees and the communities where his business operates. David’s approach focuses on fostering growth, trust, and responsibility within his company, ensuring that success is shared.
Looking ahead, David’s vision extends beyond disaster response. He’s focused on helping small towns prepare for and recover from future crises. One of his upcoming initiatives is to help communities manage donated materials, such as food and water, after a disaster. “When an unaffected community wants to send supplies to a disaster zone, impacted towns need help processing and distributing those things quickly,” David explains. “This not only takes logistic support, but at times it requires heavy machinery.” To address this need, his team is developing logistics systems to help small towns efficiently handle these donations and ensure they reach those in need.
Additionally, David is collaborating with Southeast First National Bank on a green financing project to support sustainable initiatives in the communities he serves.
A Legacy of Trust and Community Support
From his humble beginnings in Summerville to his efforts to rebuild communities after disaster, David Parker’s journey has been defined by hard work, innovation, and the strong support of his community. Southeast First National Bank played a pivotal role in helping David realize his vision and build the business that now spans multiple states.
“Without that trust, I wouldn’t be here today,” David reflects. “I want my legacy to be about helping others, just as I was helped. I want this business to continue without me”
David’s story is a reminder of the power of community, the impact of small businesses, and the importance of having a financial partner who believes in your vision—not just your balance sheet.
Southeast First National Bank is a Georgia-based, mission-driven financial institution committed to serving the credit needs of rural and underserved communities. As a CNote Impact Cash® partner and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Southeast First supports small businesses, local entrepreneurs, and economic development efforts that strengthen community resilience.
David Parker is the founder and CEO of Parker Systems, a broadband infrastructure and disaster recovery company based in Summerville, Georgia. His work spans multiple states, delivering vital connectivity and emergency services to communities in need.
Visit the Parker Systems YouTube channel to see their work in action!
