Robert Ralph Parsons (born November 27, 1950) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded the GoDaddy group, including GoDaddy.com, Wild West Domains, and Blue Razor Domains in 1997. Parsons sold 70% of GoDaddy in 2011, resigning as CEO, and left the board in 2018.
He is CEO of YAM Worldwide, Inc. Parsons and his wife Renee started The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation in 2012 and joined The Giving Pledge in 2013. In 2023, he ranked No. 314 on the Forbes 400.
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Bob Parsons Net Worth
Bob Parsons has a net worth of $4 billion, earned by founding the GoDaddy Group. In September 2013, Parsons bought The Golf Club Scottsdale, a 292-acre members-only course, for $600,000 plus undisclosed debt, renaming it Scottsdale National Golf Club.
In 2014, he acquired nearby land, including a 223-acre parcel for $55 million, 41 acres for $5.4 million, and another for $2.3 million. That same year, Parsons revealed plans to build a new clubhouse, nine-hole practice facility, and a second 18-hole golf course.
Early life
Parsons was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was a homemaker, and his father worked as a furniture salesman for Montgomery Ward. After nearly flunking high school, Parsons enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
He served in the 26th Marine Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Division, as a rifleman in Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines during the Vietnam War in Quảng Nam Province in 1969. Parsons was wounded, evacuated, and hospitalized, earning the Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Purple Heart.
Career
In 1975, Parsons earned an accounting degree magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore. He started his career in the IT and software sales industry. In 1984, he founded Parsons Technology in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, launching MoneyCounts, a home accounting program.
The company grew to 1,000 employees and remained privately held. On September 27, 1994, Parsons sold Parsons Technology to Intuit, Inc. for $64 million. The University of Baltimore awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2008.
Personal life
Parsons founded GoDaddy in 1997. In July 2011, he sold 70% of GoDaddy to a private equity group led by KKR & Co. L.P. and Silver Lake, resigning as CEO. He stepped down as Executive Chairman in 2014 and left the board in 2018. In 2012, he founded YAM Worldwide, Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona, focusing on power sports, golf, real estate, marketing, and philanthropy.
Parsons acquired Martz Agency in 2013, rebranding it as BIG YAM in 2015. He launched Sneaky Big Studios in 2016 and founded The YAMWOOD Foundry in 2017.
What companies does Bob Parsons own?
Through YAM Worldwide, founded in 2012, Parsons owns more than a dozen companies. These include PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf), Scottsdale National Golf Club, Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, GO AZ Motorcycles, SNEAKY BIG, YAM Properties, and YAM Capital.
Conclusion
Bob Parsons’ journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a billionaire exemplifies the quintessential American success story. His contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy have left a lasting impact. Parsons’ story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to his visions.
FAQs about Bob Parsons
- What inspired Bob Parsons to start GoDaddy? Parsons started GoDaddy after selling Parsons Technology, aiming to create a game-changing company in the burgeoning internet domain industry.
- Has Bob Parsons received any military honors? Yes, he received the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.
- What philanthropic activities is Bob Parsons involved in? Through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, he supports numerous non-profit organizations, focusing primarily on the greater Phoenix area. He has also joined The Giving Pledge.
- What led to the sale of GoDaddy? In 2011, Parsons sold a major stake in GoDaddy to a private equity consortium to diversify his investments and focus on new entrepreneurial ventures.
- What is Parsons’ vision for his companies under YAM Worldwide? Parsons aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across various sectors, including sports, real estate, and marketing, through his YAM Worldwide enterprises.
