Gary Keith Parris

Gary Parris is a Buncombe County native who began his career with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. He then served 22 years in the U.S. Navy in cryptology and naval intelligence, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. His military service included multiple deployments and commendations such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After his naval career, he worked in criminal justice and corrections, serving as a captain at a level-five maximum security prison. Parris holds a master's degree in strategic intelligence and another master's in public administration with a concentration in criminal justice. He was raised in the French Broad community, graduated from North Buncombe High School, and also attended Montreat-Anderson College.