President of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri and Executive Director of Drury’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He authored Postcards from Branson: A Century of Family Reminiscence, Mom at War, The Buffalo, Ben and Me.

Parnell is a trustee for the Nature Conservancy and Board Member for the Springfield/Branson Regional Airport, James River Basin Partnership, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Missouri Bankers Association.

Parnell is a founding member of the Upper White River Basin Foundation.