David Parsons, an accomplished tech industry executive specializing in go-to-market (GTM) and global partner ecosystem strategies, is sharing his knowledge and expertise with Auburn students and faculty this week as the Lowder executive-in-residence at the Harbert College of Business.

During his 43-year career, Parsons built and led teams in sales, marketing, partner ecosystems and business development at several high-profile computing and tech giants, navigating several major technology waves—from the mainframe era to client/server, internet, cloud and now generative AI.

One of his most notable accomplishments was re-architecting & transforming the global partner ecosystem at ServiceNow, a leading workflow automation firm, to enable scale and accelerated growth. Parsons spearheaded strategic initiatives that helped the company grow revenues from $3 billion to more than $10 billion during his tenure.

He also established Ecosystem Ventures, a ServiceNow strategic initiative focused on private equity-led investments to address gaps in GTM capabilities. Under Parson’s leadership, the venture closed deals in Japan, Germany and India worth more than $52 million.

Parsons retired from corporate life in September 2024, but he maintains strong industry ties through selective board, advisory and investor roles. 

As executive-in-residence, Parsons is sharing his insights on industry trends & the dynamic market for tech-ready talent, particularly as companies race to adopt AI-enabled digital transformation strategies.

“Every company will become a digital business supported by a handful of market relevant digital tech platforms,” he said, noting that market opportunity for generative AI products and services is expected to reach $350 billion by 2030.

Parsons is presenting guest lectures to business analytics undergraduate and graduate students, meeting with Dean Jennifer Mueller-Phillips and other Harbert College leadership, and networking with Harbert faculty and career services staff.

His overall goal, he said, is to shine a spotlight on the significant global talent gaps that exist for tech-ready students around the world and to start a conversation on how to best enable that at Auburn.

Serving as executive-in-residence, he said, is a tremendous honor and opportunity to support the multi-year vision, mission and objectives that Dean Mueller-Phillips and her team have articulated, including an opportunity to help Harbert College produce more tech-ready students.

“For me, it’s all about giving back and paying it forward,” said Parsons, who recalled being inspired by successful executives who shared practical insights and knowledge in some of his business classes as an undergraduate at Appalachian State. “They…really helped jumpstart my career by inspiring great confidence, courage, and conviction. And I want to do the same for this next generation.

“I couldn't think of a better place to do [this] than Auburn,” he added.

Although Parsons and his wife raised their three children in Texas, each of them chose to attend Auburn starting in 2003 with the last graduating in 2014. 

However, one of the most gratifying things about their Auburn experience outside of a great education, he said, is the Auburn community and friend groups that his children continue to have to this day.

He began paying it forward at Auburn three years ago when he presented guest lectures in strategy & management courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. This fall, he is helping Management Associate Professor Miles Zachary in the MBA consulting capstone course by sharing key contextual insights and experiences on relevant consulting methodologies and best practices to deliver valued recommendations to enhance client outcomes.

“I've developed a deep passion and appreciation for all things Auburn over the years,” he said. “And we've remained quite active with our kids and spouses and their Auburn friend groups over the years.”

His willingness to pay it forward at Auburn was inspired, in part, by the values espoused in the Auburn Creed.

“Whenever I see, hear, or read the Creed, I have a deep, visceral reaction,” he said. “Having hired thousands of employees over the course of my career and supporting hundreds of companies across the world, I can assure you that companies need employees who embody the core values represented by the Creed— empathy, honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, humility and servant orientation—as they seek to reinforce and establish strong cultures and values within their organizations.”

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Learn more about the Lowder Executive-in-Residence program in the Harbert College of Business.