Biography - James L Parker

James Parker, a native of Richmond, Virginia is currently the Director of Operations for the Amateur Athletic Union one of the largest youth sports organizations in the United States.
The Director of Operations position is a key component within the AAU, who works second in command to the AAU President Bobby Dodd. Mr. Parker oversees the various AAU Youth and Adult sports - encompassing more than 35 sports programs, 250 national championships, and roughly 1 million members. James’s day to day responsibilities include managing the entire AAU Sports, Information Technology and Marketing departments which include 25 full-time staff members. He manages an operating budget of 4 Million dollars for the 35 different sport programs. James is intimately involved in new business development for the organization which includes creating new events, acquiring new sponsors, integrating new technology, building brand awareness and finding ways to get more athletes to play in AAU events. Since he gained the V.P of Operations position in 2007, there has been a 20 percent increase in membership, an 80% increase on the number of AAU events on the different ESPN platforms, creation of a social media department, creation of an internship program, hundreds of new events across the United States, development of the AAU Basketball All American Skills Academy, AAU’s first held events Internationally, and close to 1 Million dollars’ worth of sponsorship deals. Mr. Parker has also assisted the President of the AAU to garner stronger relationships with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, Disney, ESPN and the USOC.
James started in 2000, as the Sports Manager of Boys’ Basketball which is the AAU’s largest sport. In that role he marketed, structured and organized over 22 National AAU Boy’s and Men’s basketball National Championships which included managing over 2000 teams and 30,000 athletes and coaches. Many of his day to day responsibilities included developing youth sports policies & procedures, rules and regulations for AAU Sports programs, recruiting of volunteers to assist in hosting AAU sporting events, marketing the basketball program and making sure the best athletes in the country where playing AAU . In addition to those duties James was responsible for consulting hundreds of AAU State Directors on efficiently and properly running athletic events/tournaments across the country.
In order to give back to the sports field that he loves, James also teaches as adjunct instructor for American Public University. He teaches courses in Event Marketing and Facility Management.
Over his career James has worked in several capacities with the International Basketball League, Orlando Magic of the N.B.A, the Arena Football League and Old Dominion University. Sales and marketing were an intricate part of his daily work life with these organizations as well as new business development and event operations. He worked with International Basketball League during its inaugural season and was instrumental in getting the team he worked for the Richmond Rhythm to play for a Championship in their first season. During his time with the I.B.L he worked under N.B.A greats Ralph Sampson, Michael Adams and Allen Bristow.
He graduated from Old Dominion University’s School of Business with a Bachelors of Science in Sport Management and a minor in marketing. After graduating from Old Dominion University, James attended Webber International University and obtained a Master’s of Business Administration degree.
James loves to travel, listen to music, attend sporting events and is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity incorporated.