Leadership

This self-paced eLearning course intends to educate anyone who interacts with customers in the parking, transportation, and mobility industry. This course was designed to offer basic conflict resolution knowledge to front line personnel, managers who interact with or manage those that interact with peers, co-workers, and customers.

As leadership dynamics shift within workplaces, many experienced managers wonder if it’s too late to change their leadership style. The answer is simple: it’s never too late. Leadership is a skill, not a fixed trait, and it can evolve throughout your career. Why Change? The traditional, top-down leadership style is no longer as effective in a world that values collaboration, transparency, and empathy. Today’s leaders are expected to inspire, empower, and adapt. If you’ve been leading a certain way for years, it may feel daunting to shift styles. But making small changes can enhance your leadership and improve team engagement. The First Step: Self-Reflection Before making changes, take time for self-reflection. Ask yourself: How do I handle feedback? How do I engage with my team—do I empower or direct? How do I manage conflict? Identifying areas for improvement will help you focus on where change is needed. Reflection is key to unlocking your potential for growth. Overcoming the Fear of Change Many leaders fear that changing their style will disrupt their team's dynamics. But the truth is, small adjustments can have a huge impact. Start by delegating more, actively listening, and building trust. Your team will appreciate your willingness to evolve. Practical Steps for Overcoming your Fear Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for input from your team to guide your growth. Invest in Learning: Read leadership books or attend workshops to gain new insights. Lead by Example: Show your team that change is possible by modeling the behavior you want to see. Be Patient: Change takes time, so be kind to yourself as you evolve. In conclusion, it’s never too late to improve your leadership style. Leadership is a journey, and every step you take to grow will help you become a more effective, authentic leader. Authentic is the goal! Tavris Parker, CAPP, is a Parking Operations Manager for the City of Virginia Beach. Tavris can be reached at TParker@vbgov.com.

stock.adobe.com / Quality One There is no doubt about it, the parking management industry is rapidly evolving,and I’m really excited to be part of the business at the moment. We see more and more new technological developments that are designed to improve efficiency, improve the user’s experience, enhance revenue, minimize expenses, and, importantly, provide actionable insights into parking policy and decision-making. If you know me, you’ll likely already know this, but there’s one aspect at the heart of this transformation that I feel very passionate about. It’s a hugely valuable asset that’s often overlooked: data ownership. Look, I cannot say this enough—the principle of ensuring that you retain full ownership of your data is foundational to future-proofing business strategies and maintaining control over operations. I read a white paper a while ago by the World Economic Forum that clearly articulated the immense value of data and how it has singularly become the most valuable resource in the world due to its immense economic and strategic value. I will say it again; I am a huge advocate for businesses never having to compromise on data ownership. Why Data Ownership Matters Data is the lifeblood of most modern operations. For the parking industry, this may mean understanding who is using your facilities, when they are coming, how long they are staying, who is or isn’t paying for their parking, and so on. Ownership of this data allows businesses to make informed choices, create customized experiences, and plan for the future with a real-time understanding of patterns and behaviors. Losing control over such valuable information is basically losing control over a fundamental part of your business. Imagine a situation where, after investing time and resources into building a data-rich parking system, your technology provider decides to hold your data hostage, making you renew contracts just to keep access. This approach not only locks you into a provider’s ecosystem but also limits your ability to leverage insights freely. The Dangers of Data Dependence Many companies in this industry leverage a “lock-in” type model that’s based on data dependence. This model can lead to issues with both flexibility and independence. With data locked away, any strategy shift or transition to a new system can be challenging. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times in a variety of ways—in essence, changing providers can feel impossible when data ownership becomes involved. Make sure that you are checking the fine print and not locking your data into one of these types of models. Inspiring Confidence Through Data Freedom When you own your data, you also own the ability to change, grow, and build upon it in ways that best serve your objectives. This kind of autonomy is critical to long-term success. Data freedom means just that. Your business is future-ready and unencumbered by data restrictions. This allows you unrestricted access to data, you can confidently strategize and adapt, unburdened by concerns of losing critical information to outdated contracts or parking systems. The Future of Parking Management Begins Here The future of parking management is bright, especially for those who place value on data ownership. It’s an era where technology and insights power business success without compromise, and where owners and operators can expect true autonomy over the information they rely on daily. Because in the end, it’s not just about parking cars; it’s about empowering businesses to steer their own course, build on their data, and shape their future with confidence. So, the next time you go to “sign on that dotted line” maybe you should double check the data ownership provisions. Because ultimately, owning your data or owning your future success. ◆

Hello, IPMI Community! Parking & Mobility magazine seeks parking, transportation, and mobility professionals interested in authoring our standing monthly columns. You do not need to be a writer; you just need to be a thought leader! I am happy to work closely with those who want to share their expertise but may not be confident writers.  Columns that are still available for 2025 magazine editions include: Business of Parking - Marketing/BD Marketing and business development experts from inside and outside the parking and mobility community provide expertise on topics impacting the financial outcomes of organizations and providing best practices to implement for success. Business of Parking - Finance Financial leaders from the parking and mobility community provide expertise on matters affecting our financial bottom line. From spending to funding, get the most current information on the dollars of our industry from those who know it best. Looking for CFOs, accounting leaders, and strategy officers to contribute! Business of Parking - Legal The legal landscape for parking and mobility operations is changing at an unprecedented rate. Our industry's top legal minds will give insights into the most current legal and regulatory factors impacting our industry. Looking for both in-house and outside legal professionals to lend their expertise! The Green Impact Share stories of the impacts of sustainable parking and mobility. What are the continued impacts of the "greening" of our industry? How are parking and mobility professionals responding to the need for sustainable solutions? HR Perspective Human resources professionals take the lead in sharing vital information on organizational success. Experts in managing our most important resource - our people - speaking on relevant HR or human capital topics. Looking for industry HR leaders to share their expertise! Leadership Moment Share the voices of your organization's C-Suite or senior leadership! Industry trailblazers share insights on leadership and organizational success. When possible, the topic should be matched to the monthly issue theme. We are looking for C-Suite, Executive, and Senior Leadership to contribute. Parking Spotlight Opportunity for planning, design, and construction firms to highlight a completed parking project. Ready to contribute? Email editor@parking-mobility.org, or click here to submit your pitch. Please share your knowledge and help advance our industry! Melissa Rysak is the Vice President, Communications for IPMI. Melissa can be reached at rysak@parking-mobility.org.

New York, NY – Bendheim, a global leader in specialty and sustainable architectural glass solutions, welcomes Peter Stattler as Director of Sales for Bendheim Wall Systems, Inc. A familiar face at architectural offices across North America, Stattler brings 25 years of experience and leadership in the glass industry. One of his priorities will be to expand Bendheim’s presence in the parking industry.  “Peter’s extensive industry background, coupled with his passion for sustainable design and innovation, makes him the ideal leader to drive our growth throughout the parking industry,’’ said Donald Jayson, President of Bendheim. “Peter’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable to developers and owners looking to enhance their parking projects.” Bendheim’s ventilated glass systems have been used to enhance the facades and improve the operations of award-winning parking facilities across the United States, including the recently completed parking garage at Kansas City International Airport, the mixed-use development at 727 West Madison in Chicago, and Frost Tower Parking Structure in San Antonio. Ventilated glass offers many benefits that typical façade materials can’t match, including lower construction costs, reduced operational costs because there’s less need for ventilation equipment, and fostering safety and security by increasing visibility within and outside parking facilities. “I’m excited to work with parking designers and owners to help create more attractive and functional parking facilities,” said Stattler. “Bendheim’s ventilated glass technology is the perfect façade material for parking garages. Not only is extraordinarily attractive, but it can save owners money in both construction and ongoing operational costs.” Prior to joining Bendheim, Stattler served as Vice Present of Sales & Marketing for a New York-based manufacturer of insulating glass focused on daylighting optimization. He also served as Manager of Sales & Market Development for a German-based globally recognized glass company. About Bendheim: Bendheim is one of the world’s foremost resources for specialty architectural glass. Founded in New York City in 1927, the family-owned company offers a virtually unlimited range of customizable glass solutions for interior and exterior building applications. Through its commitment to Building a Clear Future, Bendheim is actively engaged in promoting sustainable practices in architecture and design.  Bendheim develops, fabricates, and distributes its products worldwide. The company maintains production facilities in New Jersey and a design lab in New York City. For additional information, please visit Bendheim.com. PRESS CONTACT: Bill Smith Smith Phillips Strategic Communications (603) 491-4280 bsmith@smith-phillips.com   

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Populus, a leading provider of digital curb and mobility management solutions for cities, is hosting a live webinar on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET to explore the future of curb management. As cities grapple with increasing demands on curb space—balancing parking, deliveries, transit, micromobility, and pedestrian access—this discussion will bring together top industry experts to share insights, lessons learned, and forward-looking strategies for managing the curb in 2025 and beyond. The webinar, “The Future of Curb Management: Common Challenges, Innovative Solutions, and Industry Trends,” will feature three distinguished panelists. First, Jonathan Hawkins, the Director of NYC Streets Plan with the New York City Department of Transportation, who leads NYC DOT’s five-year transportation plan and spearheaded the 2023 Curb Management Action Plan and Smart Curbs initiative. Second, Alyssa Alt, the Manager of Curbside & Parking with the City of Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, who oversees Denver’s meter system, off-street parking, curbside policy and planning, and mobility permit programs. And last but not least, Chrissy Mancini Nichols, the Principal & National Director for Curb Management and New Mobility with Walker Consultants, who leads a nationwide research initiative to evaluate curb use data, demand management, and curb monetization strategies. The panel will be moderated by Regina Clewlow, CEO & Co-Founder of Populus, and will focus on: Top curb management challenges facing cities in 2025 Innovative tools and policies to optimize curb use Trends shaping the future of curbside regulations and enforcement "Cities of all sizes are facing growing pressure to rethink how they manage curb space," said Regina Clewlow, CEO of Populus. "This conversation will provide key takeaways for transportation professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in curb management." Register today to secure your spot! About Populus Populus helps city departments of transportation and parking authorities transform urban mobility by effectively managing ever-growing connected vehicle fleets and congestion in the public right-of-way. The Populus platform is the only comprehensive solution that helps cities code their curbs, aggregate parking data, and deploy digital smart zones to improve curbside management. Our first-of-its-kind GPS-enabled parking technology enables commercial fleets to pay for curbside usage through safe, frictionless payments. Populus is a trusted partner of over 100 cities around the world. Learn more at www.populus.ai. Contact: Ali Barsamian, media@populus.ai

Austin, TX — Flash, the leader in parking and mobility technology, announced that Chris Donus, currently the President of Flash, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.  Donus joined Flash as CFO in 2023 and became President in June  2024. Dan Sharplin, who has served as Flash CEO since 2019, will continue as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. "It’s the perfect moment for Chris to step into the CEO role and lead Flash in its next phase of growth," said Dan Sharplin, Executive Chairman, Flash. "Chris is a proven leader, and as those who’ve worked with him will attest, has the ability to drive execution at speed and at scale that promises to take Flash to new heights." Sharplin will shift focus to strategy and Board leadership, actively supporting Chris Donus and the executive team and steering strategic projects and partnerships. He will continue advancing Flash’s industry leadership and driving its vision for the digital transformation of the industry to a modern marketplace that delivers seamless experiences to drivers and increased value and transparency for owners and operators. Donus will assume responsibility for strategic execution and continue leading the expansion of Flash’s emerging digital demand network, EV charging and parking platforms, and its regionalized branch organization. Donus joined Flash as a seasoned mobility and technology leader in finance and operations. Prior to Flash, he served as COO and CFO at Wheel Health, VP and Business Unit leader of Express Drive at Lyft, and served in President, COO and CFO roles at Silvercar. "I thank Dan Sharplin and the Board of Directors for their support and confidence as well as the incredible opportunity to lead the world class team we've assembled at Flash," said Donus. "I couldn't be more excited for the possibilities that lay ahead – for Flash and for the industry – as we continue the journey to make the transformation of parking a reality." An innovator in parking management technology since 2011, Flash has achieved unprecedented scale encompassing over 16,000 parking assets, 1 billion annual transactions, and 450 million driver touchpoints in the apps consumers use everyday. Flash is leading the industry transformation to a connected mobility ecosystem that delivers a seamless parking experience for drivers and unlocks profitability and asset yield for operators and owners. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more.

Hartford, CT – Propark Mobility announced today that Brenda Freije has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Business Performance and Analytics. “Brenda has an incredible ability to transform complex data into clear, actionable strategies that drive real results,” said Stephen Duffy, President of Propark Mobility. “Her ability to identify trends in data and work with our internal partners to connect the dots has been instrumental in optimizing our clients’ operations and helping Propark deliver on our commitments. This promotion is a well-earned recognition of her contributions, and I couldn’t be happier to see her take on this new role.” Since joining Propark in 2019, Freije has played a vital role in advancing the company’s analytics capabilities, providing insights that have fueled growth and efficiency across the organization. In her most recent role as Vice President of Business Analytics, she led a team dedicated to leveraging data to inform operational decision-making, streamline processes, and enhance profitability for Propark and its clients. “Brenda is a remarkable strategist who blends keen analytical skills with an instinct for finding valuable opportunities,” said Rudy Touvell, Chief Development Officer of Propark Mobility. “Her work has continuously enhanced our operations, helping us deliver outstanding results for our clients time and time again. With Brenda in this new role, Propark’s ability to grow and excel is even stronger.” As Senior Vice President of Business Performance and Analytics, Freije will oversee Propark’s business intelligence, data analytics, and performance optimization initiatives. She will work closely with key stakeholders across the organization to develop innovative strategies that strengthen efficiency, maximize revenue, and drive continuous improvement for clients nationwide. 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.

Austin, TX — Flash, the leader in parking and mobility technology, today announced the hiring of Jim Zeitunian as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Over his decades-long career, Zeitunian has led the transformation of hardware and software firms into AI-forward technology innovators. As CTO of Flash, he will drive innovation and advancement of the digital parking ecosystem powering Flash’s parking management platform. "Now is a pivotal time in parking and mobility innovation, and Jim's track record of modernizing legacy industries through AI and cloud technologies aligns perfectly with Flash's vision," said Dan Sharplin, Flash's CEO and Chairman. "His expertise in scaling AI platforms will accelerate our transformation of the parking experience, from expanding our AI-enabled Vision camera network to deepening integrations with consumer apps like ParkMobile. Jim's leadership will be instrumental in building the intelligent mobility infrastructure of tomorrow." Zeitunian joins Flash with a distinguished career in technology leadership, including most recently as CTO of Powerfleet, where he transitioned a traditional fleet management business into a data-driven SaaS powerhouse. Earlier in his career, he developed enterprise SaaS platforms at Coupa Software and Thomson Reuters, gaining unique insight into scaling complex technology ecosystems for Fortune 500 businesses. "The parking industry is ready for an AI-driven revolution, and as a pioneer in parking and mobility technology, Flash has positioned itself to lead it," said Zeitunian. "We’re creating an intelligent parking network that will fundamentally change how people and vehicles move through urban spaces. The opportunity to join Flash's talented team to scale this vision globally is incredibly exciting." In the CTO role, Zeitunian assumes leadership of Flash's global engineering, product management and design, and quality assurance teams and reports to Flash president Chris Donus. Priorities include expanding Flash's AI capabilities across its product portfolio, scaling the company's cloud-based operating system to support growing transaction volumes, and accelerating the integration of parking, EV charging, and mobility services into a unified digital experience. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more.

Los Angeles, CA – Get My Parking ("GMP" or the “Company”), a global leader in interoperable smart parking solutions, IoT and AI innovation, LPR, and EV software serving the parking and mobility industry, proudly announces the appointment of Chris Walters, as Director of Customer Success, North America. This strategic move comes as GMP experiences unprecedented growth across the continent driven by widespread adoption of its white-labeled, mobile-enabled, app-based, and app-free solutions for owners, operators, technology partners, and value-added resellers operating and supporting diverse use-cases in gated and gateless environments. A proud US Veteran with a decade of experience in hospitality, parking management, and the application of emerging technology, Walters has a deep background in operations management, business administration, and driving revenue growth across multiple sectors. In his new role, he will work collaboratively with GMP’s clients, key account management and product teams, and technology partners, championing myriad initiatives to help drive client success through increased adoption of Get My Parking's innovative IoT solutions. Walters’ industry journey started at Denver International Airport working for a private operator at a high-profile, high-volume location serving DIA. Focusing on customer service and revenue growth, he established new processes and service initiatives for his team members, consistently driving visitor volumes and customer retention.  From there, he transitioned into a technology-focused role, leading successful deployments and adoption initiatives in data analytics and parking compliance, optimizing efficiencies, customer satisfaction, best practices, and client revenues, thus solidifying Walters’ reputation as an emerging leader in customer success. “In my experience, Get My Parking is the preeminent technology leader in our industry,” said Walters.  “I am thrilled to be blending my professional and operational capabilities, coupled with my passion for people and technology in collaboration with GMP’s rapidly expanding list of distinguished clientele.  The firm’s infinite investment in human capital, skilled development resources and innovation is truly unsurpassed.  With an emphasis on process improvement and operational excellence, together, we will navigate our industry’s ever-changing paradigms, fostering location and revenue growth, one operation at a time," remarked Walters. "Chris's service-minded approach, equitable demeanor, and practical experience in parking management and technology make him the ideal ambassador to help our Company and clients navigate the complexities of today's urban mobility landscape,” said Steve Resnick, CAPP, President, North America, at GMP. “Bringing Chris into this role enables us to move Chris Cognetta, his predecessor, over to support our VAR initiative in a dedicated “partner success” capacity, underscoring GMP’s commitment to bringing top-tier talent into our organization and highlighting our confidence in the ability of these two industry professionals to nurture GMP client and partner success, respectively,” added Resnick. At Get My Parking, we are reshaping the industry through the use of our innovative suite of AI-driven software solutions. With Chris Walters joining our team and his stewardship in service and support of our clients, we will capitalize on GMP’s core differentiators to drive client success and revenue growth, now and into the future. About Get My Parking Get My Parking is a global software firm serving the parking and mobility industry. Using AI to increase accountability and transform user experiences, the Company turns legacy hardware, software, and systems into Intelligent Mobility Hubs with minimal upfront costs. GMP’s IoT Smart Parking solutions offer a hardware-light, CAPEX-light alternative to traditional PARCS equipment, seamlessly integrating with myriad third-party technologies in gated and gateless environments.  This enables a future-proof technology roadmap built for GMP’s clients’ brand(s).  Parking facility owners and operators embrace GMP’s embedded digital marketing and branding capacities for customer engagement, loyalty, and enhanced revenue generation. For more information, visit: https://www.getmyparking.com/ Contact: Chirag Jain CEO & Founder Get My Parking

While a company’s road to success isn’t always clear, having a great product or service, strong partnerships, and excellent leadership propel a business forward.

New York - Reimagined Parking (the "Company"), one of the world's leading tech-powered, people-driven parking solutions provider, today announced the successful completion of a private capital transaction designed to strengthen the Company's capital structure and support its leading position in the industry and long-term operational objectives. As a result of the transaction, the Company significantly reduced its Senior Secured Debt through an infusion of new capital from the Company's existing financial partners and brings the Company under the ownership of a consortium of institutional investment management firms with deep experience in driving financial and operational growth in various industries. The transaction underscores the confidence of the Company's financial partners in its strategic vision and operational excellence. Concurrently with the closing, the Company has appointed Rick West, a seasoned executive with over thirty years of experience in the parking industry, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Rick has deep experience as an operator of parking garage businesses such as the Millennium Parking Concession, Central Parking Corporation and Parking Company of America Airports, as well as advising private equity and other private capital investors in connection with acquisitions of, and investments in, parking businesses. "Today marks a pivotal moment for Reimagined Parking," said Rick West, "this transaction not only strengthens our financial foundation but also positions us to continue leading the industry in parking management, valet, shuttle ground transportation, and parking technology products and services. We are excited to welcome our investors, whose experience and support will be invaluable as we drive innovation and expand our platform across North America." The Company remains committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to its clients and customers while maintaining uninterrupted operations following the completion of the transaction. About Reimagined Parking Reimagined Parking's portfolio includes nationally recognized brands such as Impark, Lanier, Republic Parking, AmeriPark, and Park One. With a workforce of more than 6,600 managing over 2,500 high-density parking facilities across more than 275 North American cities, the Company generates 34 million digital transactions annually, serving high-profile commercial real estate, retail, hospitality, airport, event, healthcare, municipal, and education locations. For more information, please visit www.reimaginedparking.com.