Mr. Sparks currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Federal City Council, a prestigious association of 200 top business, professional and civic leaders. The Council is involved in many activities designed to enhance the Nation’s Capital. Members of the President’s Cabinet and other Federal officials serve on the Council in an ex-officio capacity.
Over the years, the Council has assisted in bringing to fruition such projects as the METRO, Union Station, the Convention Center and the Ronald Reagan World Trade Center. Most recently, the Council was instrumental in bringing the MCI Center to Washington, DC. The Council has also been active in education reform, public finance, housing, and criminal justice matters.
During his 28 year tenure at the FCC, Mr. Sparks has held a variety of additional appointments. From 1988 to 1991, he directed a Presidential Commission overseeing development of the new 0 million United States International Cultural and Trade Center in Washington (now the Reagan Trade Center). He recently chaired a METRO task force that developed a funding plan for the rail and bus system’s capital improvement needs. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Center for Excellence in Municipal Management at GWU, and he serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Hospital Center Foundation, the Helen Hayes Awards and the Make a Difference Foundation. Mr. Sparks has served as the Secretary of the Economic Club since it’s inception in 1986. Between 1970 and 1981, Mr. Sparks was an adjunct professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University and the American University.
Prior to joining the Federal City Council, Mr. Sparks served in a variety of positions at the U.S. Information Agency, including Research Director of the Voice of America. During 1968 and 1969, Mr. Sparks directed the Public Affairs Office at the Office of Economic Opportunity.
As a Naval Aviator and Public Information Officer, Mr. Sparks served on active duty in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1957 until 1960.
Mr. Sparks has the following degrees: B.S. 1956 (Speech), Syracuse University; M.S. 1961 (Television), Syracuse University; Ph.D. 1964 (Communications), Syracuse University; J.D. 1967 (Law), George Washington University.
Mr. Sparks is a member of the following associations: District of Columbia bar, Federal Communications Bar Association, American Society for Public Administration, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Friends of the National Zoo, the Council for Court Excellence, and the Helen Hayes Awards. He was a Washingtonian of the Year in 1987 and has been honored on several other occasions for public service.
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