# Steven Parker

> Steven Parker co-founded K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel with his brother Jason in 2005, after they started a neighborhood pet-sitting business as teenagers in 1999. His responsibilities have included corporate resort development, operations and standards across the franchise system. He earned the CPACO designation in 2024 and shared an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year New Jersey award with Jason in 2025.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel
- **Organizations:** K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, K-9 Guardians Professional Pet Sitting, K-9 Holdings, LLC
- **Education:** Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
- **Known for:** Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO), earned in January 2024 according to the October 2024 company announcement., PACCC Founders Award recipient, 2024., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 New Jersey award winner alongside Jason Parker.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Started K-9 Guardians Professional Pet Sitting with brother Jason, aged fourteen and twelve respectively.
- **2002** — Attended the Quest for Excellence professional pet-sitting convention in Nashville.
- **2005** — Co-founded K9 Resorts and opened the first resort in Fanwood, New Jersey.
- **2011** — K9 Resorts formally began franchising in January; the first franchise sold to a longtime customer two months later.
- **2015** — Fanwood flagship rebuilt at more than twice its original size.
- **2024** — Earned CPACO designation and received PACCC Founders Award.
- **2025** — Shared EY Entrepreneur Of The Year New Jersey award with Jason.
- **2026** — Discussed the newly opened DUMBO resort in an October 20 News 12 interview.

## Achievements

- Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO), earned in January 2024 according to the October 2024 company announcement.
- PACCC Founders Award recipient, 2024.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 New Jersey award winner alongside Jason Parker.
- Selected for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2026; May coverage announced a June 1 ceremony.
- Company biography records recognition from the Mayor of Fanwood, the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association and the United States Congress for charitable contributions.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — In an October 20 News 12 Brooklyn interview, Parker discussed the newly opened DUMBO resort and its $1,000-a-day Founders Suite.
- **2026-05** — May 24 reporting announced Steven and Jason’s selection for their high school Alumni Hall of Fame, with a June 1 ceremony scheduled.
- **2025-06** — EY announced Steven, listed as Steve, and Jason Parker as New Jersey Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners.

## Links

- Website: https://www.k9resorts.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-parker-3927a230

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/steven-parker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22