Todd Parnell began writing non-fiction during his years as a banker and educator, including published books The Buffalo, Ben, and Me; Mom at War; and Postcards from Branson. He is an award-winning author inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame in 2012. He tried his hand at fiction upon retiring as president of Drury University and hasn't stopped writing since, completing the Ozarkian Folk Tales Trilogy, published by Pen-L Publishing, and is hard at work on a second trilogy, Children of the Creek. In his own words, "I've had great fun writing about the Ozarks and tackling important contemporary issues in that rich and captivating context!"
      Parnell is a civic leader, environmental advocate, co-founder of the Upper White River Basin Foundation, and retired CEO of THE BANK in Springfield. He recently completed his term as Chairman of the Missouri Clean Water Commission. He holds masters degrees in Business from Dartmouth University and History from Missouri State University, and is a graduate of Drury University.
      Born in Branson, Missouri, Todd is a sixth-generation Ozarker. He resides with Betty, his wife of forty years, in Springfield and is blessed with four children and five grandchildren. So far.