Carey Smith has been elected as CEO of Parsons Corp. effective July 1, succeeding Charles “Chuck” Harrington who announced his retirement after 40 years with the company.
“Carey’s leadership, customer relationships, and proven performance at Parsons make her the natural choice to succeed me as CEO,” Harrington said. “The company is well-positioned for future profitable growth, and I have full confidence that Carey will continue to advance our success.”
Harrington will continue to serve on the Parsons board of directors as executive chairman upon his retirement.
Smith first joined Parsons in 2016 as president of the Federal Solutions business, and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2018. As COO, she drove synergies within the company’s business segments, enhanced organic growth, led the acquisition and integration of four companies and helped take the company public in 2019.
She later became president and COO while overseeing functional support, and joined the Parsons’ board in January 2021.
Prior to Parsons, Smith held leadership roles within the defense and aerospace industry. She was president of the defense and space business unit at Honeywell, and before that, held several positions at Lockheed Martin including vice president of technical services, vice president of business development for the maritime systems and sensors business unit, and president and CEO of the company’s Canadian operations. Originally, she began her career as a systems engineer.
Smith said she is honored to have been chosen by the board as Parsons’ next CEO.
“It’s a privilege to lead this exceptional, high-integrity company and to build on Chuck’s legacy,” she added. “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.”
Harrington joined Parsons in 1982 as an engineer performing technical, and later, held project management duties on classified projects for the departments of Energy and Defense. He also founded and led Parsons’ business into biotechnology, semiconductor and telecommunications industries and served as chief financial officer in 2006. Harrington was appointed as CEO and chairman of the board of directors in 2008.
“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,” he 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.”
James McGovern, lead independent director of the Parsons board of directors, thanked Harrington on behalf of the board for “his steadfast leadership — especially in times of crisis — from the global financial crisis in 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.”
“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,” McGovern added. “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.”
McGovern also noted the board unanimously agreed Smith would be the right person to lead the company to its next chapter.
“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.
Smith holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio Northern University. She received an honorary doctorate from Ohio Northern University in 2018 for her contributions to the university and engineering field.