A Shortly after being sworn is as Kansas 47th Lieutenant Governor, Mark Parkinson was asked by Governor Sebelius to lead major policy initiatives in the areas of energy, bio-defense, and cutting waste from government.  

Parkinson was named co-chair of the revived Kansas Energy Council in the Governors 2007 State of the State Address, and was tasked with creating a new energy plan for Kansas; one that explored renewable energy, emphasized conservation, and protected the environment.

Under Lt. Governor Parkinsons leadership, Kansas renewable energy efforts have progressed substantially. In March of 2007, Westar Energy announced plans to expand its wind energy production by 500 megawatts by the year 2010. This announcement, in addition to other wind facilities nearing completion, will more then double Kansas wind energy production. Lt. Governor Parkinson and the Kansas Energy Council have changed the way utilities plan for the future, putting the state on track to meet Governor Sebelius goal of producing 20% of our energy from wind by the year 2020. 

In the area of National Defense, the $451 million National Bio and Agro-defense Facility commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security, has the potential to be built in Kansas. This facility will research ways to contain diseases threatening citizens and the food supply; it is expected to employ 1,000 workers. Eighteen sites in eleven states are under consideration for this facility, including Leavenworth and Manhattan.

Co-chairing the 43 member task force coordinating the effort to secure the facility for Kansas is Lt. Governor Parkinson, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, and Congresswoman Nancy Boyda. 

The third piece of Lt. Governor Parkinsons portfolio is promoting greater efficiency in state government. In her first term, Governor Sebelius made cutting waste and eliminating duplication in state government a high priority of her administration. Her teams efforts ultimately created efficiencies of more than $1 billion over four years. Governor Sebelius has designated Lt. Governor Parkinson to spearhead the next step in improving efficiency, cutting waste, and accomplishing more with less, within Kansas government.  

Prior to his race for Lt. Governor, Parkinson had a wide and varied career. He has experienced success in the law, business, and, state politics.  

Parkinsons family has roots in Scott City, where they still operate a family farm. A graduate of Heights High School in Wichita, Parkinson went on to Wichita State University where he earned Summa Cum Laude honors at graduation in 1980. Four years later, he graduated first in his class from the University of Kansas, School of Law.  

During the 1990s Parkinson served in the Kansas Legislature, first in the House, and then in the Senate. While there, Parkinson was known to bridge party lines, allowing him to strengthen Kansas schools while enhancing local control. He also was a key negotiator in the agreements that led to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. 

As a businessman, Parkinson and his wife, Stacy, started and nurtured a very successful company creating first class assisted living facilities in the Kansas City area. Their company was named as an outstanding business in northeast Johnson County and received national recognition for the design of its facilities.

The Parkinsons are active in community and charitable organizations, including co-chairing the successful Sunflower House capital campaign and raising $6.7 million for SafeHome, a domestic violence shelter in the Kansas City metro area. Mark and Stacy were named Johnson County Citizens of the year 2006. 

Proud parents of Alex, Sam, and Kit, the Parkinsons belong to the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.