About Our Chief Executive Officer
Penny Parsekian, a founding board member of New London Main Street, was the director of marketing research for an international consulting firm in New York City owned by Bloomingdale's, Filene's, and a consortium of high-end stores with outlets worldwide, including the Hudson's Bay Company of Canada and Au Printemps of Paris. She attended New York University's Masters of Business Administration program and graduated with a masters from Brown University in 1971. Parsekian left the marketing profession to become an award-winning author of classroom books on a broad range of science and history topics. She writes for the National Geographic Society and Connecticut College, among others.
Parsekian is well known for her extensive involvement in local volunteer work, primarily focused on reducing urban sprawl through the revitalization of urban centers and innovative approaches to transportation. She co-founded the Trail and Rail Action Coalition (TRAC) to promote a regional network of bike and walkways and regional light rail trolleys, instead of highways, to serve the area's two casinos. In 1999, the City of New London, in partnership with TRAC and Connecticut College, secured a $1.25 million federal grant to build the Vista Walkway, the inaugural trail envisioned by TRAC to connect downtown New London with the US Coast Guard Academy and Connecticut College. She is the founding chair of the Thames Hilltop Neighborhood Association and chair of the committee to create a pedestrian-friendly streetscape on the commercial strip on Ocean Avenue just south of Lawrence and Memorial Hospital. She also serves on the board of the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut and is a member of the Rotary Club of New London.
Parsekian currently serves as Interim Chair on the Design Committee.
During the work week you can reach her at 860-444-2489 and let her know how you want to help make our Downtown Work!
