Parkhill Announces Tom Gray as Vice President of Marketing
Parkhill is excited to announce that Tom Gray will be the new Vice President of Marketing and a Senior Associate. In this role, he will provide strategic leadership to align marketing initiatives with business goals across multiple regions, overseeing brand alignment, digital transformation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Tom Gray is a seasoned marketing leader who has built his career at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and business growth. With a background that spans industries from pharma and automotive to food & beverage, CPG, and professional services, Tom has guided global brands such as GM, Pfizer, PepsiCo, and J&J MedTech, as well as billion-dollar enterprises like Ryan LLC and Interstate Batteries.
Known for transforming marketing into a true growth driver, Tom brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative storytelling to his work. His career journey — from engineering student to advertising executive to marketing strategist — reflects both his curiosity and his passion for blending art and science. Along the way, he has built a reputation for aligning stakeholders, empowering teams, and delivering measurable results, earning national recognition for award-winning campaigns.
At Parkhill, we believe stories build connection. To introduce Tom to our community, we asked him a few questions about his journey, leadership, and what Building Community means to him.
What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing?
While my dad was an electrical engineer, I did not know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had to pick a major, applied, and was accepted into the College of Engineering at UT as an electrical engineering major because I was strong in math. But I quickly realized engineering wasn’t for me. I discovered my creative side and found advertising to be a better fit.
I worked in advertising for about eight and a half years with some big brands, but I felt something was missing. Advertising is just one of the “Ps” of marketing, and I wanted to experience the full picture — analysis, strategy, creativity. That blend is what really drew me to marketing. I wanted to understand the “why” behind campaigns, not just execute ads. Marketing lets me merge creativity with analytical and strategic thinking, which makes it a perfect fit for me.
What excites you most about working in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry?
Reading the job description was really exciting — it checked all the boxes for me: B2B, innovation, team development, and more. Architecture and engineering also feel similar to marketing in that they blend art and science. From a marketing perspective, there’s so much rich information to bring to life in this industry.
It’s very different from selling something like soft drinks or mouthwash with one simple value proposition. In AEC, there are many stakeholders, many layers, and that complexity is energizing. I also see parallels with marketing teams — you bring together writers, creatives, strategists, and technologists to build something, just like in architecture. That collaboration is what excites me.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I’ve had great mentors who taught me to empower others, collaborate, and focus on growth — for both the business and the team. I believe in being a “player-coach.” Having worked in agencies, I understand how everything fits together on a macro level. I don’t just delegate from an office. I collaborate, listen, and empower people to take ownership.
I’m not a micromanager — I’ve never liked being micromanaged, and I wouldn’t do that to others. I want to create a balance of creative thinking and strategic decision-making, while giving people the space to thrive and grow.
Who has been a mentor to you in your career?
My dad was an important early mentor. He worked at Phillips Petroleum and taught me integrity — he refused gifts from suppliers to stay unbiased in his decisions. That stuck with me, especially when I later worked in advertising in the 90s.
I’ve also had mentors who encouraged vulnerability. They made me feel safe asking questions I thought may be stupid without judgment, which really helped me learn. I try to carry that forward with my teams — reminding them it’s okay not to know everything. Instead of “faking it until you make it,” I believe in learning and collaborating.
What part of your career brings you the most joy and fulfillment?
Collaborating with teams to build the right marketing strategies and campaigns. I love cross-functional collaboration — bringing together analytics, strategy, creativity, and execution.
No two days in marketing are the same, and I enjoy solving new problems. It keeps things exciting and taps into both my creative and analytical sides. That balance of art and science is why I originally pivoted into marketing, and it continues to be what makes the work fulfilling.
What do you look forward to most during your time here at Parkhill?
Building relationships across the team and learning what makes Parkhill unique. I see a lot of opportunities for storytelling and amplifying Parkhill’s value proposition. I’m excited to collaborate with the team to bring that mission to life, especially around how Parkhill delivers on its commitment to community.
What does Parkhill’s mission of Building Community mean to you?
To me, community is about more than physical buildings — it’s about belonging, being welcoming, and creating lasting experiences. What struck me is how sincerely everyone at Parkhill believes in that mission. It’s not just words; it’s authentic. As a marketer, that’s a dream, because there’s so much meaning to work with when the mission is both real and impactful.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Faith, family, and friends are most important to me. I have a wife, three adult kids, and a 13-year-old “puppy.” I’m an avid tennis player and play a couple of times a week — even in the heat. I’ve also become a big theater fan thanks to my youngest daughter, who’s a performer. I love supporting her and have embraced being a “theater dad.”
I play golf, not very well, but I enjoy it. I also love college football. I went to UT, but my daughter goes to TCU, so I’ve become a big TCU fan. Their game-day experience is incredible.