SPANISH FORT, Ala. — When she’s not spending time working as promotions manager at the new Spanish Fort Bass Pro Shops, Stephanie Parrish enjoys spending time at her Orange Beach condo.

She shares the unit — which overlooks Sportman Marina in Orange Beach — with her with her 9-year-old rescue cat Buddy, or “Fat Cat” as she calls him.

She loves her job, so she doesn’t mind the hour and 10 minute commute to the Bass Pro Shops store seven days a week.

“I get a lot of fulfillment out of my work and have always given 110 percent,” Parrish said. “I feel very blessed to be where I am today.”

This single mother of three grown children and grandmother of five – with twins on the way – enjoys seeing her family “whenever she can.”

“I’m a really big family person.”

The Nashville native got into promotions while she was working in the boat manufacturing industry and a power equipment company where she helped with advertising, bookkeeping and accounting.

When not laying out by the water she wants to be on it. 

“I love to sport-fish,” she said. “I like tuna-fishing and going out for the big ones.”

Parrish has fished in several ladies’ fishing tournaments including the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Tournament and the Billfish Tournament in Pensacola, Fla. She also enjoys saltwater-fishing 50 to 100 miles off the coast of Pensacola Beach.

“I’m a sun person,” Parrish said. “I just love the boating industry.”

Since she became promotions manager at Bass Pro Shops in April she has helped plan yesterday’s Evening for Conservation fundraiser; today’s grand opening; public relations; donations; special events; class planning; and posting items in the monthly Bass Pro Shops tab. Her children pointed her in the direction to apply at the new store because of her love of the outdoors. She was hired on as one of the five original employees at the store, she said.

“The community welcomed us with open arms,” she said. “They have really been incredible.

“I know they were ready for it (Bass Pro Shops).”