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Springfield, MO
A banker who most recently worked as the local market leader for Encore Bank has started a digital forensics firm.
Doug Parker said the company, Digital Forensics Group LLC, is getting off the ground in earnest the past month after earning certification by digital intelligence business Cellebrite.
"It's a hobby that really turned into a desire that I wanted to pursue," he said. "I've always been interested in computers. I've self-taught myself in cybersecurity."
Through Digital Forensics Group, Parker contracts with law firms and corporations to extract data off mobile phones through court proceedings and judge’s orders. Traditionally, he said, law enforcement agencies are first to sift through the data before sending it to law firms and corporations – in cases such as corporate espionage – but it can be a lengthy process, he said. Bringing the data more quickly to clients is a specialty Digital Forensics Group plans to capitalize on.
"It is new. It's something I'm having to educate a few law firms around here with," Parker said, noting that while he’s currently the only employee, hiring likely would be conducted as the firm looks to bring the service to Kansas City and St. Louis, as well.
Parker previously worked as executive vice president and regional president of southwest Missouri for Encore Bank, a Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial institution. He was hired in late 2020 to launch Encore in the local market, and the bank opened its first Springfield branch at 3820 S. Weller Ave., Ste. 108, in September 2021, according to past reporting.
Parker said he notified Encore officials in January of his intention to retire from the bank.
"I was looking for other things to do, and this grew into a business," he said of Digital Forensics Group.
Parker said Alan Perryman is now leading the local market for Encore Bank. Perryman also joined the company in late 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Officials with Encore Bank could not be reached for comment by deadline.
Prior to joining Encore Bank, Parker worked as the local regional community bank president for Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons First National Corp. (Nasdaq: SFNC), according to past reporting.
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