[ by Howard Haykin ] Richard Parsons and Citigroup have been together for the past 16 years. Stepping down from the board of Citigroup, where he had served until recently as Chairman, one would think he's ready for some peace and quiet, and R&R, while lounging on a beach reading some trashy spy novel.  After all he was front and center at Citigroup throughout the last terrifying financial crisis. Yet one man's pleasure is another man's angst - so, Mr. Parsons is taking on a new assignment.  On Tuesday, investment bank Lazard announced that Mr. Parsons had joined the firm’s 12-member board, which includes directors like Michael Turner, a former CEO of BAE Systems, and Vernon Jordan. Richard Parsons, 64, a former CEO of Time Warner, and, as noted above, served as chairman of Citigroup from 2009 until stepping down in April.  He also serves on the boards of Estée Lauder and Madison Square Garden. Lazard’s core business is its advisory work on M&A's, and Mr. Parsons brings a wealth of experience and connections when it comes to deal-making.  He also serves as a senior adviser to the private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. [Dealbook, 6/13/12]