Steve Parrott, a former telecommunications executive who now runs an investment company, will be the next president of the Wake Education Partnership.

The announcement was made this morning to the group's trustees and directors by Gordon Brown, chairman of the Board of Directors.

Parrott, who had been Carolinas executive for Embarq, previously Sprint, will replace Ann Denlinger who is retiring as president. He will start the job Sept. 20, said Tim Simmons, vice president of communications at the partnership.

Denlinger was formerly Durham schools superintendent, but Parrott comes to the partnership after a career in the corporate world. He climbed the ladder at Sprint, and later Embarq, from the late 1970s to 2009. Earlier this year, Parrott formed Summerset Investment Group, a residential real estate investment and property management company focused on the Raleigh and Wilmington markets.

The Wake Education Partnership is a nonprofit that advocates for quality schools in Wake County through business and community involvement.