Dr. William J. Parker III

Dr. Parker is an accomplished speaker and frequent guest commentator in the global media on issues of national security and the global economy. He has lectured at several dozen national and international venues including The Hague, The International Counter Terror Symposium at Windsor Castle in London, Columbia University, Tufts University, Columbia Law School, New York University, Harvard University, Bard College, the College of Charleston, the Armed Forces Staff College, Metropolitan State University-Denver, numerous Turkish, Russian, Armenian, Colombian, Chilean, and Mexican locations, and dozens of other colleges and universities worldwide. He has guest-lectured at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he is a life member and former military fellow.

Parker is a qualified military parachutist and Surface Warfare Officer with a long list of awards, including the Bronze Star, three Legions of Merit, and the Department of State Meritorious Honor award.

During nearly three decades in uniform, he served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Surface Forces, commanded three warships, and a squadron of warships, and was the 2009 recipient of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. He was the U.S. Navy’s Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. In addition to multiple combat tours, he held the post of senior advisor and strategist with the U.S. embassies in Iraq and Pakistan.

He is a life member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, Explorers Club, National Defense Transportation Association, Surface Navy Association, Naval Historical Foundation, U.S. Naval Institute, Military Officers Association of America, New York Athletic Club, Harvard Club, and the Army and Navy Club.