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Richie Parker      

Motivational Speaker; NASCAR Engineer Born Without Arms

Richie Parker is a professional based in the motorsports industry, with a focus on engineering and design. He currently holds a prominent role at Hendrick Motorsports, where he is the Chief Engineer of Government Projects. In this role, Parker has oversight of engineering projects related to government and military defense. He had a significant role at Hendrick Motorsports prior to this, serving as the Vehicle Design Group Manager for the organization's four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.

Parker's career in the industry extended beyond his role at Hendrick Motorsports. He co-founded Optimech Solutions, an engineering consulting firm that collaborates with a wide range of clients across motorsports and various other industries. In 2017, Parker furthered his education, completing his MBA from Clemson University.

Parker was born with bilateral amelia, a non-genetic birth defect where limbs are not formed. Despite this, he has been an active participant in one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations, Hendrick Motorsports, since 2005. His tenure at the organization has been notable, contributing to seven Sprint Cup championships. He has been the subject of a profile by ESPN and is a frequent speaker about overcoming obstacles and facing adversity. Parker's accomplishments were recognized in 2014 when he was named a Champion of Inclusion recipient by the National Inclusion Project.

Before transitioning to motorsports, Parker was a basketball player in New York City. He started his sports career at Manhattan Center High School in East Harlem, where he was recognized as one of the top 50 senior basketball players in the nation. After a year at a junior college in Arizona, he moved on to Long Island University, graduating in May 2000. His brief professional basketball career included a stint with the Atlantic City Seagulls and appearances in television commercials. Since 2002, Parker has been involved with the Stay Strong Foundation, which offers mentorship to troubled young people in New York City.

A native of Beaufort, S.C., Parker is renowned for his innovative approach to overcoming personal challenges. From designing a bike as a child that allowed him to ride with his friends to adapting a 1964 Chevy Impala SS to drive using his feet, Parker's inventive spirit is evident in all aspects of his life. This spirit, combined with his belief in taking responsibility for one's life and career, and his never give up attitude, have played a crucial role in the achievement of his goals.

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