Executives in Residence

Zak Parpia, Himalaya Homes

Zak founded Himalaya Homes, a homebuilding and development company, in 1979. The company focuses on building affordable homes for first time home buyers. In his career of more than 30 years as a builder, Zak has built over 3,000 homes in Washington State, both east and west of the Cascades.

A native of Mumbai, India, Zak earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Bombay and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Washington State University. He has received a number of awards over the years, including Builder of the Year for Washington State in 1986, Builder of the Year for King & Snohomish Counties in 1992, and most recently was inducted into the first class of the Master Builder’s Hall of Fame.

Zak’s long record of community involvement includes numerous offices held in State and National building organizations. He served as President of the Master Builders Association for King and Snohomish Counties in 1997 and as President of the Building Industry Association of Washington in 1987. He has been a Rotarian since 1982, and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Everett. He is a founding member of People for Progress in India.