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Leaving a well-established role and organization for a new opportunity is often bittersweet for those taking the next step in their career.  When assessing skills gained, accomplishments, growth patterns, and culture, employees often are able to dial in on compatibility, growth, and longevity, as early as the initial employment review cycle. However, many of us find work environments to be extremely complex and continually evolving which can either shorten or prolong career trajectory.       When I left my previous position at another University, I found the most difficult aspect to be the ending of strong professional relationships which had been built over an extended period.  Many of these relationships were former customers with frequent complex parking requirements, and I took enjoyment in the cross-campus-cross-health-system collaborations to provide essential access services in unique environments. Prior to leaving any role, we should always aim to leave the departing organization in the best position possible, and this frequently includes the updating of documentation and ‘playbooks’ so company management/leadership and incoming team members are well positioned for efficient transitions.  We eagerly expect the same when accepting new roles, although frequently this may not be the case.  I find this to be especially relevant when acknowledging the various software systems in a Parking & Transportation operation.  Coming into any new organization, parallels typically exist yet we need to be aware earlier in our stints the importance of re-learning, adapting, understanding the working dynamics of a new team, and quickly identifying our stakeholders.  While certain successful practices may be transferrable from one organization to another, you can count on instances where this will not be the case, all due to varying environmental factors.  Therefore when starting new roles it’s best to consider early on how to ‘un-think’. Zach Pearce is an Associate Director of Operations at Old Dominion University. Zach can be reached at zpearce@odu.edu.

Hartford, Connecticut – Propark Mobility announced today that Tamer Shaban has been promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President of Operations, Southern New England. This promotion reflects Shaban’s outstanding contributions to the company and his longstanding dedication to driving strong results for clients and team members alike. “Tamer has been an essential part of Propark’s success in Connecticut for over two decades,” said David Schmid, Chief Executive Officer of Propark. “His commitment to excellence and strategic growth has been pivotal to our expansion. I’m excited to see him bring that same energy and focus to his new role as Executive Vice President for Southern New England.” Since joining Propark in 2000, Shaban has risen through the company’s ranks, developing a deep understanding of operations and the diverse needs of clients across industries. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently leveraged his expertise to deliver innovative solutions that help clients achieve and exceed their goals. His dynamic leadership and ability to implement forward-thinking strategies have positioned Propark as a parking and mobility leader in Connecticut and beyond. “We are proud to recognize Tamer’s leadership with this promotion,” said Stephen Duffy, President of Propark. “His passion, expertise, and commitment make him the perfect fit for this role. I know he will continue to elevate our operations and deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients throughout the Southern New England Region.” “Tamer is a standout leader in the Propark organization,” said John Reimers, Chief Operating Officer. “His dedication to our team and his talent for building meaningful client partnerships have led to outstanding success for 25 years. As Executive Vice President, Tamer will undoubtedly take Propark to the next level.” In his new role as Executive Vice President of Operations, Shaban will oversee strategic planning, client service, financial management, and talent development across the Southern New England Region. About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is a national, innovation-driven parking management company that provides full-service parking and mobility services for over 1,000 hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and off-airport locations in over 140 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com.

Stockholm, Sweden – EasyPark Group, a leading provider of digital parking and mobility solutions, announces the completion of its strategic acquisition of Flowbird Group. Together, the company will use its combined capabilities to deliver full-service parking and transportation solutions to ease urban mobility globally and expand into new markets. Cameron Clayton, current CEO of EasyPark Group, has been appointed as the CEO of the new joint company. Frédéric Beylier, the current CEO of Flowbird Group, is leaving the company. “Today marks a step toward improving space utilization worldwide as EasyPark Group and Flowbird come together as one team. Our broader set of offerings will empower our customers to optimize mobility and reinvest in public transportation, greenspaces and the revitalization of urban centers. I invite cities, transportation authorities and organizations across the mobility industry to join us on this journey. Together, we’ll make cities more livable,” said Cameron Clayton, CEO of EasyPark Group. The acquisition uniquely positions the joint company to future-proof cities with smart parking and transportation solutions. Through a localized approach, the company will meet each city’s needs with a complementary mix of mobile paid parking, pay-and-display machines, public transport solutions, accompanied by suitable pricing, parking policies, data and insights. “This acquisition marks an exciting chapter for mobility, unlocking new possibilities and the potential to create value for people, customers, partners, and municipalities. As I step aside after a thrilling growth journey with the Flowbird teams, I’m confident that the future of the joint company holds more promising adventures and successes with its talented and dedicated people.” says Frédéric Beylier, CEO of Flowbird Group. For now, it’s business continuity to deliver the highest quality service to our customers and partners. As the new, joint company begins the foundation to build a leading global mobility platform, more information will be shared on organizational structure in the coming months. Vitruvian Partners, Verdane and Searchlight Capital Partners L.P., the investment firms that will own the joint company, support the acquisition and are proud for the two companies to come together. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transaction. “In an Open Letter to the Industry, our newly appointed CEO, Cameron Clayton, shares his insights on what this means for our customers and the future of urban mobility.” Follow EasyPark Group in our newsroom: www.easyparkgroup.com/news About EasyPark Group EasyPark Group is a global mobility platform provider with the vision to make cities more livable. With award-winning technology, EasyPark Group has eased parking since 2001 and today, the company helps drivers save time and money by finding and managing parking and electric vehicle charging. It allows businesses, parking operators, property owners and cities to administrate, plan and take data-driven decisions. EasyPark Group owns and develops the apps EasyPark, ParkMobile, RingGo and Park-line and operates in over 4,000 cities across more than 20 countries. In 2024, EasyPark Group was listed as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe by Financial Times and Statista. Visit www.easyparkgroup.com for the latest news and information. About Flowbird Group Flowbird Group solutions are used in 6,000 cities in 80 countries to make journeys effortless. The company’s relentless desire to enable mobility, through frictionless technology, which gives back time to us all, is the driving force behind the innovations. Flowbird Group is dedicated to complete, data-led solutions, which can be used to inform mobility policy and make a positive impact.

As campuses grow, transportation needs evolve. The Campus Master Plan often outlines new roads, buildings, and infrastructure, with parking lots becoming prime construction sites for future development. This creates a domino effect, pushing parking to the periphery and necessitating changes in the campus transportation system. When parking shifts to the edges, it impacts both your budget and transportation logistics. Perimeter lots, often cheaper to park in, will reduce revenue from prime spaces, while new routes must be added to connect these distant lots to the core campus. So, how can transportation departments meet these challenges? 1. Assess and Adjust Transportation Routes To minimize additional costs, review and optimize current bus routes. Combining routes or reconfiguring schedules can open up buses to service new Park-N-Ride locations without drastically increasing expenses. 2. Engage with Administration Be transparent with campus administration about the impact of growth on your transportation budget. Loss of revenue from core parking and increased operational costs may require adjustments, such as a transit fee or funding for new buses. ________________________________________ Why This Is a Good Problem to Have Though these challenges can strain resources, they’re ultimately a sign of success. Growth means more students, faculty, and facilities—and a better campus overall. The transportation department’s role is crucial to ensuring that this growth remains accessible. ________________________________________ Benefits of an Updated Transportation Plan An adjusted transportation plan can: • Facilitate Growth: Free up space for new buildings and infrastructure. • Provide Economical Parking: Shift to more affordable, perimeter parking. • Reduce Traffic: Alleviate congestion in core areas. • Increase Efficiency: Offer quick and easy access to campus. ________________________________________ Is Your Department Ready for Growth? Having a comprehensive transportation plan is vital. It ensures that your campus remains accessible and efficient as it expands. If your department isn’t ready, now is the time to get involved in the conversation. Make sure your transportation plan aligns with the Campus Master Plan, preparing you for the future. Mike Harris, CAPP, is the Director of University Services with SP+ (SP Plus). Mike can be reached at gharris@spplus.com.

Dallas, Texas – JustPark, the parking app solution originally from the U.K., has secured its first major U.S. partnership with the University of Hawai’i, a significant step in its journey to become the parking app of choice across North America, following its merger with ParkHub last year. At the University of Hawai’i at  Mānoa, JustPark is replacing traditional visitor parking pay stations in certain areas of campus with an app-based system, enabling fast, secure, and cashless payments via smartphones. This upgrade eliminates long queues and the need for loose change, making parking faster, easier, and more convenient for students, faculty, and visitors. JustPark, a household name used by more than 13 million drivers in the U.K. to secure stress-free parking, is now hoping to replicate its success in the U.S. The company’s recent merger with leading Dallas-based parking solutions provider ParkHub has created a full-service parking software and payments solution for customers across North America and together their combined entity serves over 20 million drivers and more than 500 B2B customers, facilitating over $1 billion in annual booking volumes. Switching to the JustPark app, from traditional payment machines, offers multiple benefits for both drivers and operators. These include: Instant mobile payments: Using a unique Location ID, eliminating the hassle of finding a pay station or waiting in line. Reduced operational costs: By eliminating the need for physical pay stations, operators can save significantly on maintenance expenses and eliminate the risk of vandalism. Flexible remote extensions: Drivers can extend their parking session remotely via the JustPark app, offering peace of mind and convenience during long events,  extended campus visits and unexpected delays. Secure, Contactless Transactions: Encrypted payments minimize physical contact and protect personal and financial information. Digital receipts: Secure receipt tracking allows users to review and manage parking records effortlessly. Anthony Eskinazi, Founder of JustPark, said: “Our app has transformed parking experiences across the U.K., and we’re eager to bring the same convenience and efficiency to American drivers, starting with this forward-thinking partnership with the University of Hawai’i. The university’s commitment to innovation makes it the perfect launch partner for JustPark in the U.S. and we’re excited to work with them to deliver a smarter, streamlined cashless parking solution.” Download the app here For further details visit www.justpark.com For more information please contact: Sarah Jackson M: +44(0) 7306 256 148 E: media@justpark.com About JustPark: JustPark, a trusted name in UK parking technology, recently joined forces with ParkHub, a leader in event parking solutions, to expand its award-winning approach to the United States. With decades of customer-focused experience and an award-winning app, JustPark transforms underutilized spaces into seamless parking opportunities for drivers and revenue generators for businesses. In the U.S., JustPark will initially focus on its On-Demand parking solution, offering drivers quick, flexible, and hassle-free access to parking when they need it most, with plans to introduce its popular pre-booking feature to the U.S. market in the future. For businesses and property owners, JustPark delivers industry-leading solutions that optimize parking operations, improve data visibility, and increase revenue. Whether enhancing driver loyalty or simplifying dynamic pricing, JustPark and ParkHub are committed to true collaboration—because we succeed when our partners do.