Tag Archives: capp

Wrapping Up – and Taking Next Steps!

By Rachel Yoka, CAPP, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP

The past few months and weeks have been difficult—no matter what part of the industry or world you live in.

As we look toward a brighter future, coming together with our IPMI community through the 2020 IPMI Virtual Parking & Mobility  Conference & Expo reinforced everything we know about our members and friends. You were, as always, insightful, collaborative, generous, innovative, thoughtful, and inspiring. From on-demand to live education, and two amazing general sessions, we felt your courage and learned from your expertise. In the networking chats and the Expo, we explored every topic under the sun and collected so many resources. It would be easy to sit back having enjoyed the experience and move on.

Please don’t! Remember you have access to this valuable platform for an entire year. Some suggestions to stay engaged:

  • Keep learning, keep reading, and keep collaborating here and on all our platforms.
  • Go back and watch the sessions you didn’t have time for or the ones you want to revisit, including valuable resources and videos in the IPMI Now Resource Center (under Partners Pavilion 2 in the Expo Hall).
  • Connect with the experts you met in the Expo and keep them close in your network.
  • Collect all those CAPP points from the event—let us know if we can help in that pursuit!

If you weren’t able to attend, stay tuned for more information on how you can take part in the platform.

Thanks so much to our Board, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and participants for taking this digital leap with us. Stay sharp, stay connected, and stay well.

Rachel Yoka, CAPP, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, is IPMI’s vice president of program development.

 

Online Instructor Led Course: Analysis and Application of Technology

Two day Course: July 28 and 30th

About the course:  The development and introduction of new technology in all aspects of our lives is happening at a pace never experienced before. This is certainly true in how we manage and conduct business in the parking and mobility sector. In this session we will discuss new and emerging technologies, the associated advantages and disadvantages, factors to be determined when considering implementing technology, and what constitutes a successful implementation. This aligns with content in Domain VI of the CAPP Exam Content Outline.

At the completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Evaluate new technology to become a ‘smart consumer’.
  • Recite your business model including how new technology fits into your organization.
  • Determine a need before selecting a solution.
  • Craft an effective plan for the consideration and implementation of technology.

 

Register button

Presenter – Tom Wunk, CAPP, is Vice President of Sales Engineering PARCS Solutions for T2 Systems and has been in the parking control industry since 1973. He is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking. A product of the State University of New York system, he has developed and provided training presentations for the IPMI, ASIS, PIE, and the AAAE. He is a member of the IPMI Technology Committee, the IPMI Educational Committee, the Smart Card Alliance, and the EMV Migration Forum.

Course Credits: 4 CAPP Points for Candidates and 4 CAPP Points for recertificants in Program Type 5.

Cost:

  • $150.00 U.S. for IPMI members
  • $300.00 US for Non-members

This is a two-day course on July 28 and 30, 2020

View browser and system requirements.

Online Instructor Led Course: Analysis and Application of Technology

Two day Course: July 28 and 30th

About the course:  The development and introduction of new technology in all aspects of our lives is happening at a pace never experienced before. This is certainly true in how we manage and conduct business in the parking and mobility sector. In this session we will discuss new and emerging technologies, the associated advantages and disadvantages, factors to be determined when considering implementing technology, and what constitutes a successful implementation. This aligns with content in Domain VI of the CAPP Exam Content Outline.

At the completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Evaluate new technology to become a ‘smart consumer’.
  • Recite your business model including how new technology fits into your organization.
  • Determine a need before selecting a solution.
  • Craft an effective plan for the consideration and implementation of technology.

Register button

 

Presenter – Tom Wunk, CAPP, is Vice President of Sales Engineering PARCS Solutions for T2 Systems and has been in the parking control industry since 1973. He is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking. A product of the State University of New York system, he has developed and provided training presentations for the IPMI, ASIS, PIE, and the AAAE. He is a member of the IPMI Technology Committee, the IPMI Educational Committee, the Smart Card Alliance, and the EMV Migration Forum.

Course Credits: 4 CAPP Points for Candidates and 4 CAPP Points for recertificants in Program Type 5.

Cost:

  • $150.00 U.S. for IPMI members
  • $300.00 US for Non-members

This is a two day course offered on July 28 and July 30, 2020.

View browser and system requirements.

Seven Quick Ways to Kickstart Your CAPP

1. Check your eligibility.

  • Do you have a high school diploma or GED?
  • Do you have a minimum of three years of managerial or supervisory experience in the parking, transportation, or mobility industry?
  • Have you completed at least 25 hours of professional development in the previous five years?

2. Review the handbook and download all the details.

The CAPP Candidate Handbook answers your questions! Download it here and curl up with a great read.

Everyone wants to know what’s on the exam and we’ll let you in on a secret—the CAPP Resource Guide is here to help. This essential guide tells you what to study, offers tips and tricks, and what to expect on exam day.

3. Sign up for CAPP Track.

CAPP Track is perfect for all members who would like to pursue the industry’s leading credential. Free and open to all IPMI members who want to learn more about CAPP, sign up to be added to our new CAPP Track, and we’ll be in touch with resources, free programs, and more.

4. Talk to a CAPP. 

CAPPs are a friendly crew—reach out to someone you know and pick their brain about the program (don’t worry–they like it!).

5. Practice makes perfect.

Our practice exam helps you envision the testing format and gets your comfortable with the kind of questions you’ll encounter—experience that’s invaluable before exam day.

6. Do the (darn) paperwork.

Get the paperwork ready. You’ll need to fill out a short application and submit a signed endorsement letter. Check out the application. (You’ll need your official CAPP candidate letter to set up a test date.)

7. Commit to a date.

Commitment’s not so scary—get that date on the calendar—it’s the best way to set up a realistic timeline to prep!

Questions? Want to talk it all through? We’re here to help. Gather your questions and schedule a 15-minute prep session with IPMI staff to get you started.  Email us at capp@parking-mobility.org

Because You’re Worth It!

By Kathleen Federici, MEd

Industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), such as CAPP, are increasingly in demand. They are used by employers to certify that an applicant is qualified for a job. People who earn industry certifications have an advantage finding high-demand jobs with good wages because the certifications are globally portable and valuable to employers.

  • Last August, IPMI launched the CAPP Job Analysis Survey. This survey was statistically validated by industry professionals from 18 countries.
  • This CAPP Job Analysis Survey led to the creation of a new CAPP exam.
  • The last day to take the current exam is October 15, 2019.
  • The first day to take the new exam is November 1, 2019.

If you’re interested in taking the CAPP exam and want to be an innovator and make a historical contribution to CAPP, register now to take the new exam any day in November 2019. By taking the exam in November, you will have a direct stake in helping set the score for the new exam–and you’ll receive a $50 gift card for being willing to wait six to eight weeks for your pass/fail score while exam data is analyzed.

The exam is online and we have testing centers in thousands of areas around the world, making it easy to locate a test site. November test takers will be able to walk across the stage during the CAPP Recognition Ceremony at the 2020 IPMI Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, next June.

The skills embedded in certification courses often transfer to multiple career pathways. The process of earning an industry certification allows the credential holder to take the body of knowledge, as outlined in the CAPP Content Outline, and apply experiences and information to immediately address relevant workplace issues in a practical way. Acquiring an industry certification can improve upon essential skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and prioritizing information. Invest in yourself. Obtain the most respected parking, transportation and mobility industry recognized credential–CAPP. Because you’re worth it!

Kathleen Federici, MEd, is IPMI’s director of professional development.

Looking Forward: IPMI Board Chair David Onorato, CAPP, on parking, mobility, teamwork, and those Pittsburgh sports teams.

by David Onorato, CAPP

LIKE SO MANY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, David Onorato, CAPP, sort of fell into parking. 19-07 Looking Forward Resource Library“It was by luck,” he says. “I was working with the [Pittsburgh] city finance department and there was an opening in the parking authority. I was asked if I wanted to move there and I said yes. It’s parking—how hard can it be, right? Little did I know.”

Since that move in 1995, Now, he’s looking ahead to industry changes, how they’ll affect his operation and his beloved hometown, and how they’ll change things for members of IPMI, where he was installed as Board of Directors chair in June.

“The industry is unique,” he says. “Both in its field of operation and in the co-workers and peers you meet. Ev­eryone is very willing to share information, and we’re all in the same boat together. The networking is stronger in this industry than any other industry I’ve seen.”

Getting There

Onorato and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 34 years and have three children, David, Lauren, and Matt. Onorato grew up on the north side of Pittsburgh with a brother and three sisters. His dad, Geno, was a machin­ist, and his mom, Vivian, taught grade school. Onorato says his parents always emphasized education as the path to success.

Growing up in a large Italian family meant weekly Sunday dinners. “Our parents always gave us comfort in that we felt we had everything we needed.” The fam­ily, all 33 members, vacationed together every year for 30 years. “People would wonder how we survived the vacations,” he says with a laugh. The extended family is still close-knit.

Onorato earned a bachelor’s degree from Clarion University and a master’s from Robert Morris Univer­sity (both in Pennsylvania), worked for the city finance department, transferred to the parking authority, and soon got involved with the Pennsylvania Parking Asso­ciation and IPMI, earning his CAPP certificate in 2010.

It wasn’t long before the Pittsburgh Parking Au­thority started making headlines as a forward-thinking municipal organization.

Pittsburgh Parking Grows

“I was involved with the regional association and IPMI in 2010, and that’s when the public-private partner­ships (P3s) were being considered,” he says. “The may­or asked me to run a P3 to eval­uate the options.” A successful bid was received but was reject­ed for political reasons. Onorato calls the process eye-opening.

“The private operators were doing it, and they gave us a blue­print,” he says. “The larger value was in on-street parking, and I remember saying that if we do nothing, we can’t be upset if we’re not here in five years. We knew what had to be done.”

The city’s meters were single-space, 30-year-old devices. Onorato’s team hired a consultant to evaluate what was available in the market, and they issued an RFP for multi-space meters. Ten bids were received, and five companies were interviewed. Then pay-by-plate came onto the scene. “We decided to reject all the bids and go with pay-by-plate,” Onorato says. “We did our due diligence. We knew it had never been done in the U.S., and we knew we didn’t want a major capital improvement that would be obsolete in three years.”

Pittsburgh installed pay-by-plate and launched it in 2012, carefully educating the public along the way.

“They were very accepting,” Onorato says—so much so that two years later, the city began offering pay-by-phone. Today, 50 percent of parking transactions are conducted that way, and Pittsburgh has hosted about 10 cities whose officials visited to see how similar set­ups could work for them.

The city was named IPMI’s Parking Organization of the Year in 2015 and earned Accredited Parking Orga­nization (APO) status, becoming one of the first municipalities to be accredited. “IPMI set the standard with APO,” Onorato says. “When they launched it, we were excited and wanted our organization to apply. It proved more beneficial than I first re­alized. It established where we were at as an organization and set the bar for the goals we needed to reach. It was a great learning tool for the entire organization.

“APO helped us evaluate our operations against established industry standards,” he continues. “We used it as an educational tool for internal processes—we were doing things and took them for granted.”

The process, he says, made authority staff better at what they were doing, and the recertification requirement helps keep them focused on continual improvement. “We keep it in our vision,” he says. “We always think about what we need to do to meet the APO requirements moving forward. It puts us—the parking industry—on a playing field with other indus­tries that have standards, so we’re recognized as leaders and as professionals.”

Getting Involved

Onorato attended his first IPMI (then IPI) Conference & Expo in 2005, looking to get more immersed in his industry. “I was impressed and knew I wanted to get involved,” he says. “My first thought was to earn CAPP.” He and Christopher Speers, CAPP, the authority’s director of parking services, both earned their certifications in 2010 and aimed for more involvement at the next year’s Conference—in Pittsburgh.

“I got to know the staff,” he says. “I liked what the organiza­tion represented, and I decided this was the path I wanted to take.” Having the Conference in his hometown, he says, offered him a great perspective into the behind-the-scenes work and allowed him to witness firsthand how everyone in the organiza­tion worked together.

“I decided to run for the Board,” he says. “It took several times, but I got there. And I am very impressed with the Board and their knowledge and background and skill and the way they get things done. There’s a lot of teamwork there.”

He eventually became treasurer and then chair-elect and was installed as chair last month, in Anaheim, Calif.

Goals

“I want to keep the organization on the path it’s on now,” he says. “We’ve had great leadership in past years that has established our path for the future. I want to continue to build upon our past successes.” Onorato noted that adding “mobility” to the organi­zation’s name last fall was a major decision in keeping parking organizations relevant, ensuring they are key players going for­ward. “Mobility is a major factor. It has to be a key aspect of our vision, and we have to stay on that path as far as trans­portation network companies, electric vehicles, bikes, shared rides, and transit. It’s not just about parking, but we have to maintain parking as a vital role in the industry. It’s up to us to keep the seat at the table now that we have it.”

Data is also top-of-mind. “All users want to see data,” he says. “We have the technology today to col­lect mass volumes of data, and it is what we do with the data that will determine the future of the industry. Data has the potential to enhance the industry and the end user’s experience. And with that, and mobility, the thought has to be how we keep people satisfied with changing needs. We have to set the trends and decide what the future of parking and mobility is going forward.”

Onorato remains grateful to past Boards and their members and says the mentors he met at the beginning of his parking career remain so and have since become great friends.

“There are two past chairs to whom I’m very grate­ful to. I met them early on at the then-IPI conferences, and they have been my sounding board for vetting my strategies. Those two are Roamy Valera, CAPP, and Kim Jackson, CAPP, who are recognized as industry leaders. They always have given me good advice that was a basis for my decisions.”

Back to Pittsburgh

Onorato says he can’t wait to welcome IPMI members back to Pittsburgh for the IPMI Leadership Summit in October (parking-mobility.org/100).

“My first role as chair of the organization will be to host the meeting in Pittsburgh, and I’m very excited about that,” he says. “I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to the city and would encourage them to get out and see the city. We have restaurants, theaters, and lots to see right in the CBD. The perception of Pitts­burgh is different than the reality once you get here, and I’m going to encourage first-timers to take the time to enjoy the city.”

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority enjoys a great, productive relationship with the mayor and city council. Onorato says that comes from time spent building trust.

“We have a great relationship, and we work as a team,” he says. “We had some learning curves—we’re an authority and separate and self-sufficient, but with­out the city, there is no authority. So we work hand-in-hand, helping fund some operations and different organizations. We understand our relationship with the city, and they understand theirs with us. They see us as a team player, and our individual success comes from our joint success.”

During his free time, Onorato enjoys following Pittsburgh sports teams, which showcase the city on a national level. He is a frequent spectator at games and has been fortunate enough to attend three Super Bowls and one Stanley Cup Finals. He also enjoys time at his lake house with his family. It’s frequently visited by their children and their friends. “I see them more up there on the weekends than I do at home,” he laughs.

Read the article here.

Where Do I Go From Here?

By Justin Grunert, MSM

I want to say thank-you to everyone who attended this year’s IPMI Conference and Expo in Anaheim.  It was a pleasure to be able to put faces with names and talk with you in person.

Since the Conference has ended, I have been busy responding to questions about the CAPP Program:  What is the cost of the program, what is required for the application, do I have enough experience to apply?  If you are asking these same questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

If you finished the CAPP multi-day courses, please submit your application today.  If you asked me or any other IPMI employee about the CAPP Program, you see the value and importance of being a leader in the parking and mobility industry. Don’t lose that momentum–now is the best time to take the steps for your future and your career.

If you are applying today and interested in making CAPP history, IPMI is releasing the new CAPP exam. We encourage you to schedule your exam between November 1 and November 30, 2019.  Anyone who takes the new CAPP exam during November  will receive a $50 Amazon gift card for their efforts, as pass/fail scores will be withheld for six to eight weeks as we analyze the data and set a score for the new exam.  This is groundbreaking, and you can be a part of it!

Here is the link to the CAPP Certification page and all of the information about the program.  

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me directly at 571.225.4425 or grunert@parking-mobility.org. I hope to see your application today.

Justin Grunert, MSM, is IPMI’s training coordinator and LMS administrator.

Personal Ad

By Justin Grunert

Mentee Seeking Mentor

You: Experienced parking professional. Must have knowledge about general management, project management, financial and operational auditing, operational management, marketing and public relations, and technology. Must be a current, active CAPP. Willing to mentor for six to 18 months and will receive CAPP recertification points for doing so. Able to meet with me (virtually or via phone) a minimum of two hours a month or as agreed upon by us.

Me: Mid-career parking professional, have some knowledge of general management and project management but looking to expand understanding of the different domain areas (general management, project management, financial and operational auditing, operational management, marketing and public relations, application and analysis of technology) to prepare me for a bright future in parking and mobility. I am currently working hard to study for the new CAPP exam and planning to test in the next year. Willing to dedicate the time and energy necessary to prepare myself for the exam.

If interested, please contact Justin Grunert at grunert@parking-mobility.org. Once contacted, he will send you the mentor application link. When your application has been received, he will review it and then pair you with me. After our information has been exchanged, we will schedule a kick-off meeting and go over the process to start our mentoring relationship.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Your Prospective Mentee

Justin Grunert is IPMI’s LMS administrator and training coordinator.

Reaching Out

By Mary Mabry, CAPP

When we discuss why parking, mobility and transportation industry professionals love what they do, it involves many aspects of what I term conflict resolution. In my conversations with numerous professionals, I have heard how difficult it is to maneuver opportunities, provide options, and stay on top of what individuals or groups feel is a travesty as far as their idea of convenient parking is concerned.

Those of us who have been in the industry awhile know we have resources and knowledgeable professionals who have been there, done that, and have the T-shirt. I have found they are always happy to share their solutions. However, what do our newer industry co-workers do? In my opinion, the first step should be to reach out to their state  or regional association–each group has a vast amount of resources and networking opportunities.

Next would be to look at additional options to develop those relationships and grow your resource pool. For me, that was my introduction to IPMI and my first class toward obtaining my CAPP certification. On my first day, walking out to go to lunch, I called my boss to thank him for allowing me to attend. He knew I struggled daily trying to fit into the mold of management, working under the police side, meeting the needs of the university campus community, and working in a gray area. My first words to him were, “I have found a new group of individuals who understand me, who actually relate to me and my job, and have opened up so many doors for me that I feel like I belong here.”

For some professionals, this may be a bit over the top but for those  who struggle trying developing the middle ground of conflict resolution,  you know how difficult this can be. If no one has told you or involved you, please know we are all here to help each other and reach out. That is what is so special and amazing about this profession and industry.

Mary Mabry, CAPP, is product manager/client advocate-parking solutions, with Cardinal Tracking, Inc.

CAPP Compadres, Part Two

By Tiffany Brander

In an earlier post, you heard from my friend and CAPP Mentor Casey Jones, CAPP, who began sharing our CAPP Mentor Program experience. In this post, I’ll discuss why I’ve chosen to pursue my CAPP as well as apply for the Mentor Program.

When I joined the Missoula Parking Commission in November 2015, I really didn’t have an interest in parking other than avoiding meter violations; I was just excited about a municipal management opportunity. Looking back, it’s almost funny to think how quickly that changed. The parking and transportation industry is complex, fascinating, and affects so many different facets of everyday life—how could I not get hooked?

When I first learned about CAPP certification at the 2016 IPMI Conference & Expo, I knew that if I wanted to get serious about a career in the industry I had just found a passion for, I needed to dedicate a pathway to achieving my CAPP credential. I started taking online courses through the IPMI website and enjoyed a variety of educational opportunities at the IPMI Conference & Expo. Along the way, I have had the opportunity to network with and learn from members of the CAPP community who were always more than willing to answer questions, offer advice, and share stories of successes and misfortunes. It was this willingness to share and support one another that made the CAPP Mentor Program appeal to me. Working with Casey through the CAPP Mentor Program has helped me set and stay focused on CAPP goals, determine areas of weakness to focus on, and made me more confident in my ability to prepare for the CAPP exam.

I am hopeful this post will inspire others to join the CAPP Mentor Program and am happy to share my experience with those looking for further information.

Tiffany Brander is interim parking services director with the Missoula Parking Commission, an Accredited Parking Organization (APO).