Clifton Parker was born and raised in a small farming community in Coastal North Carolina. Clifton was raised on farm that produced hogs, cattle, chickens, corn, soybeans, tobacco and many vegetable crops. Tobacco was the cash crop but since their farms were near the coast they also relied heavily on sales of vegetables to tourist in the summer months. Clifton graduated from NC State University with a degree in Food Science. Clifton began his 30 plus year career with USDA in 1977. Clifton held many positions with USDA Risk Management Agency including, Compliance Investigator, Assistant Director of Compliance in Washington, DC, National Claims Services Director, Washington DC, Regional Underwriting Director, Raleigh Region (North Carolina to Maine), and Assistant Deputy Administrator, Washington, DC. Since retirement in 2007 Clifton has partnered with many groups nationwide to conduct risk management seminars, develop new crop insurance programs, train loss adjusters for Farm Service Agency and acts as a Crop Insurance Expert for the Federal Crop Insurance Board of Directors. Clifton currently lives on the beautiful island of Emerald Isle, North Carolina where he enjoys the beach and offshore fishing.