Parsons CEO Retires After 4 Decades With Company

After nearly 40 years with the Pasadena-based technology firm Parsons, CEO Charles “Chuck” Harrington announced his retirement Tuesday.

Carey Smith will take over the post on July 1, Parsons said in a written statement. Harrington will continue to serve on the Parsons Board of Directors.

“Leading and transforming Parsons into the technology company we are today has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I know the company is in great hands,” Harrington said. “After nearly 40 years, I’m proud of the company we’ve built, humbled by the amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and pleased that the accomplishments we’ve achieved will deliver a better world.”

Harrington said Smith was well-equipped to move the company forward.

“Carey’s leadership, customer relationships, and proven performance at Parsons make her the natural choice to succeed me as CEO,” he said. “The company is well-positioned for future profitable growth, and I have full confidence that Carey will continue to advance our success.”

After joining Parsons as an engineer in 1982, Harrington became a project manager on classified government projects, according to the company.

“He founded and led Parsons’ business into the biotechnology, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries before becoming the corporation’s chief financial officer in 2006,” the statement said. “Chuck was named chief executive officer in 2008 and chairman of the board of directors that same year.

Parsons Board of Directors Lead Independent Director James McGovern thanked Harrington for his contributions to the organization and wished him well.

“After 39 years with the company, including 13 years as CEO, we respect Chuck’s decision to retire. There is no one more deserving. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Chuck for his steadfast leadership — especially in times of crisis — from the global financial crisis in 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,” McGovern said.

“His constant curiosity and dedication to technology, including the successful completion of over 20 acquisitions, transformed Parsons into the publicly traded global technology company it is today,” according to McGovern. “Chuck’s fingerprints are all over the past, present, and future of our company, and we’re grateful for his leadership, commitment, and vision. We’re pleased that he will continue as executive chairman of the board, making this a smooth transition.”

Smith came to Parsons as president of federal solutions business in 2016, then was promoted to chief operating officer in 2018, helping to take the company public in 2019. She joined the Parsons board of directors in January.

She has previously served as president of the defense and space business unit at Honeywell, vice president of technical services at Lockheed Martin, as well as vice president of business development at Maritime Systems and Sensors, and president and CEO of the company’s Canadian arm, according to Parsons.

“I’m honored to be chosen by the board as Parsons’ next chief executive. It’s a privilege to lead this exceptional, high-integrity company and to build on Chuck’s legacy. He has always put our customers’ missions and our employees’ and shareholders’ interests first, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chuck in his role as executive chairman, as well as the rest of the board and Parsons team,” Smith said.

“Most importantly, I’ll continue our commitment to our core values and to leading our highly engaged employees as they develop advanced technology solutions that deliver on our customers’ critical missions,” she said.

McGovern said the board unanimously agreed to install Smith as CEO.

“Her strategic vision, exceptional operational talent, focused leadership, and deep commitment to Parsons’ employees and customers are widely known, and position the company for continued success,” he said.

More information on Parsons can be found on the company’s website at parsons.com.