Mississippi State is honoring Hal Parker with its highest alumni honor. In a campus ceremony on May 30, the Mississippi native will be recognized formally as the university’s 2025 National Alumnus of the Year.
A 1969 graduate of MSU’s College of Business, Parker has built a distinguished career marked by 50 years of entrepreneurial success and leadership. He began working with Sears after graduation and eventually became a partner in Climate Masters, Inc. In 1982, he founded Sunbelt Wholesale Supply Co., a regional distributor of fiberglass insulation and residential roofing products based in Pearl. The company became an integral part of Service Partners, LLC, the largest distributor of fiberglass insulation in the U.S.
Parker later became a partner in Mississippi Roofing Supply and served the company until its sale in 2006. Today, he continues to serve as a general partner in Parker Land, LLC, and president of Parker CDJR Auto in Starkville.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Parker has been a stalwart supporter of his alma mater and Mississippi’s higher education system. He served four terms on the MSU Foundation Board and led the Bulldog Club as president for two terms. His commitment to advancing educational opportunities within the state is further exemplified by his current tenure on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, where he previously served as president.
