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Mocksville resident Brad Parsley is the director of finance at Food Lion, headquartered in nearby Salisbury, but he started his career as a summer intern.

In honor of National Intern Day on July 25, he reflected on his 22-year career and is paying it forward to the next class of interns.

It all began in the summer of 2001 when Parsley, an applied mathematics major at N.C. State University, earned an internship in the accounting department at Food Lion. With no formal finance background, he quickly adapted and made such an impression that he was invited to return for a second summer internship in the treasury department in 2002.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in fall 2002, Parsley was hired full-time as a financial analyst, marking the start of his career with the organization.

Over the years, he transitioned through various departments: treasury, investment analysis, pricing and now finance, where he was named director in 2017.

He says each of those experiences allowed him to showcase his adaptability and problem-solving skills.

“My career path is a testament to the supportive and open culture at Food Lion, where leaders genuinely know and value associates,” he said.

Today, he mentors interns in his department and is excited to give them the same opportunities he had.

“I like having internships as a pipeline. It’s a great way to give someone experience and, sometimes, join the company,” he said. “I love my job and the variety it brings. Helping others make better decisions and solving complex problems is fulfilling.”

Parsley’s journey can be seen as an inspiration for young professionals starting careers and underscores opportunities at Food Lion provides.