Napa Valley Register: Parks of Napa named Napa County’s Woman of the Year

Linda Parks of Napa was recognized as Napa County’s Woman of the Year by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson at a ceremony held on March 20.

“Linda’s contributions to our community extend far beyond the success of her business,” said Thompson.

“Under Linda’s leadership, Lixit enables adults with disabilities to find employment and thereby gain independence. And, Linda is clearly beloved by her employees because there is hardly any employee turnover at Lixit,” he said. “Linda is an extraordinary individual, and it is my honor to recognize her as Napa County’s Woman of the Year.”

Parks is the president and CEO of Lixit Animal Care Products in Napa, which manufactures small animal watering and feeding devices, and animal care accessories.

When Parks joined Lixit in 1971 as a buyer, there were only 10 employees. In 1994, the original owner retired and the employees bought the business using a qualified Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Today, under her leadership, Lixit is a thriving business with more than 100 employees, many of whom are adults with disabilities.

Parks has earned a distinguished reputation in the California business community. In 2015, the North Bay Business Journal named Parks as one of its Women in Business award winners. As a graduate of the Building a High-Performing Minority Business program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Parks has led Lixit to become a certified women-owned company.

One woman from each of the five counties that make up the 5th Congressional District was honored in recognition of Women’s History Month.

The other women recognized are:

- Josephine Orozco, Contra Costa County Woman of the Year

- Evelyn Cheatham, Sonoma County Woman of the Year

- Maria Guevara, Solano County Woman of the Year

- Monica Rosenthal, Lake County Woman of the Year

Thompson represents California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.