- By Elizabeth Nouryeh-Clay
MARTA CEO and GM Jeff Parker.
#MARTA General Manager and #CEO #JeffParker addresses the #Rotary Club of Buckhead.
#MARTA #CEO #JeffreyParker and Congressman Hank Johnson.
#MARTA general manager and #CEO #JeffreyParker has died by #suicide, #MARTA announced.
#MARTA released a statement saying Parker, 55, died by #suicide late Jan. 14. The company asks the public to keep the Parker family in their prayers.
“As we struggle to understand the complexity of this tragedy, we grieve with and for his wife Erin, his daughters and all of Jeff’s family and friends as well as his #MARTA family,” #MARTA Board of Directors Chairwoman Rita Scott said. “As we continue to grieve, we want you to know that #suicide is preventable and help is available to you.”
In the coming days, #MARTA will announce transition plans, as well as provide grief counseling for its employees.
“#JeffParker was a leader in our community that dedicated his life’s work to building better transportation systems,” #MentalHealth America of Georgia’s Executive Director Abdul Henderson said. “On behalf of #MentalHealth America of Georgia, we send our deepest condolences to his family, and we mourn a true leader and innovator.”
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Numerous elected officials have released statement with their condolences, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Gov. Brian Kemp, Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman and the Atlanta City Council.
“I am shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic death of my colleague and friend #JeffParker,” Dickens said. “Jeff understood that #MARTA is more than just a transportation system — it represents connectivity for residents and visitors of our great city and region.”
“The #MARTA Board of Directors grieves the shocking death of our GM/CEO #JeffParker who has died by #suicide,” Scott said. “He was an outstanding leader and steward of #MARTA whose passing leaves us all heartbroken. As Chairwoman and on behalf of my fellow #MARTA board members, we are devastated at this loss as we valued Jeff’s leadership and looked forward to him bringing his vision for transit to fruition. The entire metro Atlanta region owes him a debt of gratitude for his transformational efforts and we will not stop working to build on the foundation he created.”
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
