Our History

Coldwell Banker Kennon & Parker’s story is deeply woven into the history of real estate in Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City, Alabama, Auburn, Alabama, and the surrounding communities of West Georgia and East Alabama. For more than 60 years, the company has grown through strong leadership, trusted relationships, strategic expansion, and a long-standing commitment to serving the people of this region with integrity and professionalism.

The story began in 1964, when Dan Parker Sr. founded Dan Parker Realtors® on Warm Springs Road in Columbus, Georgia. In 1966, Dan Parker Jr. joined the company after graduating from the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and real estate. After the untimely passing of his father in 1970, Dan Jr. assumed leadership of the firm and helped guide it into a new era of growth and influence.

A defining moment came in 1987, when Dan Parker Jr. and Kelsey Kennon merged their respective firms. On July 1, 1987, Dan Parker Realtors® and Kennon Realty Services officially became Kennon & Parker Realtors®. More than a merger, it was the coming together of two respected names with a shared vision for what real estate leadership in this market could look like. As part of that transition, the partners sold their former offices and purchased the Georgia Company building at 5670 Whitesville Road, which remains the company’s headquarters today.

In 1996, the company expanded again when Duncan & Key Realtors® joined forces with Kennon & Parker. Doug Duncan and Jack Key III brought additional strength, leadership, and experience to the organization, creating Kennon, Parker, Duncan & Key Realtors®. Soon after, the company acquired the local Coldwell Banker franchise, pairing its deeply established local reputation with one of the most recognized names in real estate.

The next major chapter began in January 2011, when Davis Realty Company merged with the firm. Steve Davis joined the ownership group after building a respected full-service real estate operation that served residential, land, commercial, development, and property management clients. With that merger, the company became Coldwell Banker Kennon, Parker, Duncan & Davis Realtors®, further strengthening its position across the region.

As the company continued to evolve, leadership transitioned to a new generation. Kelsey Kennon retired at the end of 2016. Dan Parker Jr. retired in 2019, and through purchase, ownership transitioned to Doug Duncan and Steve Davis. In 2024, Garrett Groce, Paul Fincher, and Steven Armstrong purchased the company from Doug Duncan and Steve Davis, carrying the company forward into its next era while honoring the legacy built by the leaders who came before them.

At the start of 2025, the company returned to the name Coldwell Banker Kennon & Parker. The decision was made to honor the firm’s legacy and its long-held relationship with the communities it has served for generations. In August 2025, the company expanded again with the acquisition of Coldwell Banker Alliance in Auburn, extending its reach and strengthening its presence in East Alabama.

Today, Coldwell Banker Kennon & Parker remains independently owned and continues to serve buyers, sellers, investors, landlords, tenants, and relocating families across Columbus GA real estate, Phenix City AL real estate, Auburn AL real estate, and the broader West Georgia and East Alabama real estate markets. The company’s main campus includes its headquarters at 5670 Whitesville Road and the adjacent office at 5650 Whitesville Road, which now houses the Property Management Department. In addition to its Columbus presence, the company serves East Alabama through its offices in Phenix City and Auburn.

Over the decades, the company has earned a reputation not only for market leadership, but for developing strong agents, supporting clients through every stage of life, and maintaining a standard of service that has stood the test of time. That commitment to training, professionalism, and community remains a defining part of the company’s identity today.

Coldwell Banker Kennon & Parker’s history is not simply the story of a company that grew. It is the story of a company that endured, adapted, and continued to lead. Built on relationships, rooted in legacy, and focused on the future, it remains one of the most trusted names in real estate across West Georgia and East Alabama.