Our Parking Industry®

We Want to Hear From You!

Help shape the future of Our Parking Industry Podcast! Take our quick listener survey to tell us what you enjoy, what you'd like to hear more about, and how we can improve.

Take our listener survey: https://tinyurl.com/3jxffznk

Episode Overview

In this special bonus episode of Our Parking Industry Podcast, we're turning the tables on the team behind the microphones!

Throughout our NPA Voices series, we asked parking professionals five questions about industry challenges, technology, meaningful ideas, needed changes, and predictions for the future. Now, TPN Consulting's Krista Olien, Leigh Thomas, Trina Tutor, and Clyde Wilson share their perspectives.

From data quality and customer service to AI, license plate recognition, and operational accountability, the team discusses where parking stands and what needs to happen next.

Why This Matters

Parking has more technology and data than ever, but having information isn't the same as knowing how to use it.

These conversations reinforce the importance of education, transparency, operational integrity, and keeping customers at the center of parking decisions.

What You'll Learn

• Why data quality and reporting standards matter
• How customer behavior can guide better decisions
• What AI, LPR, and privacy concerns mean for parking
• Why operational experience remains essential

Key Takeaways

• Data creates value when it informs decisions
• Technology should solve real problems
• Customer service must remain a priority
• Training and accountability will shape parking's future

Episode Breakdown

00:28 Introducing NPA Voices: TPN Takes the Mic

01:05 Trina Tutor on data, mentorship, and customers

03:30 Leigh Thomas on complacency and reporting

05:48 Space value and customer behavior

08:04 Data standards and industry challenges

10:27 Krista Olien on education and PAQS

12:41 LPR, privacy, and regulation

17:39 The impact of the OPI Podcast

19:25 Integrity and serving asset owners

22:09 Clyde Wilson on audits and missing transactions

26:11 AI and autonomous vehicles

29:08 Becoming better technology buyers

30:56 Advice for future parking professionals

About the Guests

Trina Tutor

TPN Consulting's Manager of Analytics and Insights, specializing in data analysis and operational reviews.

Leigh Thomas

TPN Consulting Project Manager, focused on coordination, data, and operational improvement.

Krista Olien

President of TPN Consulting, advancing education, accountability, and better parking management.

Clyde Wilson

Founder of TPN Consulting with decades of parking operations and auditing experience.

About the Episode

Recorded during the National Parking Association's 75th Anniversary Conference & Expo, this bonus episode concludes our NPA Voices series.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights and podcast updates.

Inside The Lane Featuring PayByPhone

Episode Overview

In Episode 27 of Our Parking Industry Podcast, Leigh Thomas welcomes Anthony Cashel, COO of PayByPhone, to discuss how technology is making parking easier, from finding a space to completing payment.

Anthony shares how PayByPhone is moving beyond digital payments to address one of parking's biggest frustrations: finding an available space. Through a partnership with Upsity, PayByPhone is using AI-powered sensors and real-time occupancy data to help drivers find parking faster.

The conversation explores PayByPhone’s pilot program in Paris, demonstrating how AI-powered technology and real-time parking availability can help drivers find spaces more efficiently, reduce time spent searching, and improve the overall parking experience.

Why This Matters

Finding parking can be just as frustrating as paying for it. Drivers waste time searching for spaces, adding congestion and unnecessary stress to their journeys.

By combining real-time parking availability with digital payments, cities and operators can improve the customer experience while making better use of existing parking spaces.

What You'll Learn

• How PayByPhone is simplifying the parking experience

• How AI sensors identify available parking spaces

• Why real-time occupancy data can reduce congestion

• How cities and operators benefit from digital parking solutions

Key Takeaways

• Finding parking is a major source of driver frustration

• Real-time availability helps drivers make better decisions

• AI technology can improve parking without collecting personal data

• Better parking information can reduce traffic and improve efficiency

Episode Breakdown

00:34 Introducing Anthony Cashel and PayByPhone

01:09 PayByPhone's mission and global reach

01:48 Solving the challenge of finding parking

03:43 How parking searches contribute to congestion

04:13 Launching space availability technology in Paris

04:42 AI sensors, occupancy data, and privacy

05:38 How drivers see real-time parking availability

06:29 Early results and reduced traffic

07:17 Who benefits from PayByPhone's solutions

08:03 How cities and operators can connect with PayByPhone

About the Guest

Anthony Cashel

COO of PayByPhone, a global parking technology company focused on simplifying journeys through digital payments, parking availability, and connected services.

About the Host

Leigh Thomas

Project Manager at TPN Consulting with a background in mathematics, data analysis, and operational performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with PayByPhone

Visit: https://www.paybyphone.com

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights and podcast updates.

Episode Overview

Our Parking Industry Podcast continues its live recording from the National Parking Association's 75th Anniversary Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

Krista Olien and Leigh Thomas ask five parking professionals the same questions about industry challenges, emerging technology, impactful decisions, what parking needs to stop doing, and bold predictions.

Part 2 features Amanda Duffy (TagMaster North America), Tanner Mason (Flash Parking/ParkWhiz), Brian Wolff (Parker Technology), Andrew Sachs (Gateway Parking Services), and Roamy Valera (Reimagined Parking).

From AI-powered customer service to data transparency, parking reservations, and autonomous vehicles, these conversations explore parking's next chapter.

Why This Matters

Technology is advancing quickly, but successful innovation requires more than new systems.

Industry leaders must balance automation with customer service, improve data accessibility, and prepare for changing transportation demands while keeping people and operational performance at the center.

What You'll Learn

• How AI is changing parking operations
• Why data integration and transparency matter
• How technology improves customer experience
• What autonomous vehicles mean for parking's future

Key Takeaways

• Technology should simplify parking
• AI supports efficiency, but people remain essential
• Data sharing improves operations
• Collaboration will shape parking's future

Episode Breakdown

00:27 Amanda Duffy on vehicle identification, integration, and AI

06:11 Tanner Mason on reservations, visibility, and customer fees

13:38 Brian Wolff on voice AI, customer support, and data sharing

23:24 Andrew Sachs on positive friction, AI, and industry growth

35:32 Roamy Valera on data transparency and autonomous vehicles

51:10 Closing thoughts from NPA

About the Guests

Amanda Duffy National Sales Manager at TagMaster North America, specializing in vehicle identification and parking technology.

Tanner Mason Digital Sales Manager for ParkWhiz at Flash Parking and 2026 NPA 40 Under 40 recipient.

Brian Wolff President and CEO of Parker Technology, focused on parking customer service and AI.

Andrew Sachs President of Gateway Parking Services and creator of Parkonomics.

Roamy Valera President of Reimagined Parking with more than 35 years of industry experience.

About the Hosts

Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and podcast host.

Leigh Thomas Project Manager at TPN Consulting, specializing in data analysis and operational performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights and podcast updates.

Episode Overview

For the first time, Our Parking Industry Podcast goes live from the National Parking Association Conference & Expo.

Krista Olien and Leigh Thomas sit down with parking professionals from across the industry, asking each guest the same five questions about today's challenges, emerging technology, impactful ideas, what the industry should stop doing, and bold predictions for the future.

Part 1 features Rico Henderson (TEZ Technology), Nick Nicholas (California Police Captain), Sarah Blouch (Campus Parc), Sam Medile (Parking Management Company), and Frank Ching (UC Santa Barbara). Together, they share perspectives on customer experience, frontline safety, AI, technology, leadership, and the future of parking.

Why This Matters

Parking is changing quickly, but the industry's greatest strength remains its people.

This live episode brings together leaders from operations, technology, higher education, consulting, and public safety to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping parking today.

What You'll Learn

• The biggest challenges facing parking today
• How AI is influencing parking operations
• Ways technology can improve the customer experience
• What industry leaders believe should happen next

Key Takeaways

• Customer experience remains the top priority
• AI should support people, not replace them
• Better data leads to better decisions
• Collaboration will shape the future of parking

Episode Breakdown

00:27 Welcome from the NPA Conference & Expo

01:30 Rico Henderson on seamless customer experiences and AI

07:40 Nick Nicholas on frontline safety and compliance

14:05 Sarah Blouch on data, integration, and customer experience

21:50 Sam Medile on creating opportunities and "Parking for Good"

34:12 Frank Ching on strategy, data, and parking's future

46:02 Preview of Part 2

About the Guests

Rico Henderson Regional Sales Manager at TEZ Technology and NPA 40 Under 40 recipient.

Nick Nicholas Police Captain specializing in parking management, enforcement, and frontline safety.

Sarah Blouch President and CEO of Campus Parc at The Ohio State University.

Sam Medile Parking entrepreneur and founder of Slice Parking.

Frank Ching Parking executive with experience in private operations, municipalities, transit, and higher education.

About the Hosts

Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast.

Leigh Thomas Project Manager at TPN Consulting, specializing in data analysis and operational performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights and podcast updates.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Inside The Lane, Leigh Thomas sits down with Jordan Justus, Co-Founder and CEO of Automotus, to discuss how curb management is changing as cities, airports, delivery services, rideshare companies, and autonomous vehicles compete for limited curb space.

Jordan explains how Automotus uses cameras, computer vision, and automated curb management tools to help cities and airports better understand activity at the curb, reduce traffic, improve access, and enforce policies more effectively.

From airport congestion to commercial loading zones and bus terminals, the conversation shows how curb management is becoming a critical part of the transportation experience.

Why This Matters

The curb is no longer used primarily for traditional parking.

Delivery drivers, rideshare vehicles, commercial fleets, buses, autonomous vehicles, and private drivers are all competing for the same space. Cities and airports need better tools to understand that demand and create policies that improve safety, traffic flow, and access.

What You’ll Learn

• How Automotus uses computer vision to manage curb activity

• Why changing transportation habits are creating new curb challenges

• How automated curb management can reduce congestion at airports

• Why successful curb programs require both technology and strong policy

Key Takeaways

• The curb has become one of transportation’s most contested spaces

• Technology can help cities understand and manage short-term commercial activity

• Better curb management can improve traffic flow and customer experience

• Effective programs must adapt to local policies, users, and stakeholders

Episode Breakdown

00:33 Introducing Jordan Justus and Automotus

01:30 How Automotus began

02:45 Why curb demand has changed

03:20 Automating curb payment and enforcement

04:25 Solving airport congestion

06:45 Adapting technology to customer needs

07:30 Philadelphia’s smart loading zone program

09:00 CurbPass and intercity bus management

09:55 Building a smart curb program in Miami

11:00 Who can benefit from Automotus

About the Guest

Jordan Justus

Co-Founder and CEO of Automotus. Jordan and his team work with cities and airports to improve curb management through computer vision, automated payment and enforcement, and policy-driven technology designed to reduce congestion and improve access.

About the Host

Leigh Thomas

Project Manager at TPN Consulting with a background in mathematics, data analysis, and operational performance. She co-hosts Our Parking Industry Podcast and conversations focused on improving the parking industry through better information and resources.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.

Episode Overview

In Episode 23, Krista Olien, Leigh Thomas, and Clyde Wilson reflect on their conversation with Keith Jones, Executive Chairman and Owner of ACE Parking, and what his perspective reveals about the direction of the parking industry.

The team discusses hidden fees, transaction-based business models, customer service, operational accountability, and the challenges traditional parking operators face as new technology companies enter the market.

They also explore why transparency matters during the RFP process, why asset owners need to understand where parking revenue goes, and why the fundamentals of parking remain essential as technology evolves.

Why This Matters

Parking is changing quickly, but the industry's core responsibilities have not.

Asset owners still need strong operations, customers still expect good service, and every transaction should be accounted for. This episode asks whether new business models improve operations or simply create new fees.

What You'll Learn

• Why transaction fees deserve greater scrutiny
• How new business models affect customer service and asset performance
• Why transparency matters during operator selection
• How mentorship and operational knowledge protect the industry's future

Key Takeaways

• Know where every parking dollar is going
• Low fees do not always mean greater value for the asset owner
• Technology should support parking, not replace its purpose
• Strong operators stay focused on customers, transactions, and performance

Episode Breakdown

00:26 Reflecting on Keith Jones and ACE Parking

02:45 Parking as an economic bellwether

04:35 Customer service, management, and hidden fees

06:30 Are transaction-based companies still in the parking business?

08:35 Protecting the fundamentals of parking

11:25 What transaction fees really mean for owners

13:25 Rate sensitivity and lost customers

15:15 Customer service in the return-to-office era

16:25 Transparency and ownership of parking revenue

18:05 What asset owners should ask during an RFP

20:15 Mentorship and preserving industry knowledge

22:00 Preparing for EVs, autonomy, and future change

23:40 Is your company improving the parking industry?

About the Hosts

Krista Olien

President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast.

Leigh Thomas

Project Manager at TPN Consulting with a background in mathematics, data analysis, and operational performance.

Clyde Wilson

Founder of TPN Consulting with more than four decades of experience in parking operations and financial performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights and podcast updates.

Episode Overview

In Episode 22, Krista Olien and Leigh Thomas welcome Keith Jones, Executive Chairman and Owner of ACE Parking, for a conversation about leadership, transparency, customer service, and the future of parking.

Keith shares how growing up in a third-generation family business shaped his leadership style and why parking can serve as an indicator of economic activity. The discussion explores accountability, operational data, customer ownership, technology, and the importance of authentic partnerships.

Keith also shares how ACE uses its Deep Blue dashboard to improve visibility and decision-making while keeping people at the center of the operation.

Why This Matters

Technology is changing parking, but innovation alone does not guarantee better outcomes.

This episode explores why operators must know their numbers, remain transparent with owners, invest in strong managers, and use technology to support customer service rather than replace it.

What You'll Learn

• Why parking can reflect broader economic activity
• How transparency strengthens owner-operator relationships
• Why technology should support people, not replace them
• How better data helps managers make stronger decisions

Key Takeaways

• Know your numbers before making operational decisions
• Customer experience should remain a priority
• Transparency builds trust with asset owners
• Innovation works best when paired with accountability

Episode Breakdown

00:27 Keith's family history in parking

02:10 Parking as an economic indicator

05:30 Knowing your numbers

07:40 Looking beyond revenue

12:20 Transparency and hidden technology costs

16:40 Deep Blue and operational dashboards

21:10 Accountability through real-time data

24:00 Why managers and mentors still matter

28:20 Customer service as a competitive advantage

31:00 Predictions that missed the mark

34:40 Today, Tomorrow, and Tomorrowland

39:00 Authentic innovation and parking's future

About the Guest

Keith Jones

Executive Chairman and Owner of ACE Parking. Keith represents the third generation of family leadership at ACE and focuses on operational excellence, customer service, technology, transparency, and long-term asset owner partnerships.

About the Hosts

Krista Olien

President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast.

Leigh Thomas

Project Manager at TPN Consulting with a background in mathematics, data analysis, and operational performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Inside The Lane, Krista Olien sits down with Bob Andrews, CEO of Zevtron, to discuss how EV charging can become a seamless part of the parking experience instead of a separate technology that creates new operational challenges.

Bob explains how Zevtron approaches EV charging from a parking-first perspective by integrating with parking operators, PARCS platforms, and facility workflows. Rather than treating charging as a standalone service, Zevtron helps owners, operators, and customers enjoy a single, streamlined parking and charging experience.

From dynamic energy management to campus credentials and airport charging strategies, this conversation explores how EV charging can improve customer service while creating long-term value for parking assets.

Why This Matters

Electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, but many charging deployments create operational complexity instead of improving the customer experience.

This episode highlights how parking operators can integrate EV charging into existing operations, simplify payment, improve asset performance, and prepare facilities for the future.

What You'll Learn

• Why EV charging should be built around parking operations

• How integrated payment improves the customer experience

• The value of dynamic energy management for airports and campuses

• Why parking operators play a critical role in successful EV deployments

Key Takeaways

• EV charging should enhance, not complicate, parking operations.

• Integration with parking systems creates a smoother customer experience.

• Different parking environments require different charging strategies.

• Future-ready parking assets begin with flexible, scalable technology.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introducing Zevtron

01:00 A parking-first approach to EV charging

05:45 Choosing the right facilities for EV deployment

08:00 Destination charging and the future of parking

09:30 Supporting universities, airports, and mixed-use facilities

14:30 Dynamic charging and energy management

16:50 The customer experience from arrival to departure

20:35 Why parking operators are essential partners

23:25 Zevtron's vision for the future of EV charging

About the Guest

Bob Andrews is the CEO of Zevtron, an EV charging solutions company focused on integrating charging infrastructure into parking operations. His team works alongside parking operators and technology providers to deliver customer-focused charging experiences, simplify operations, and help facilities prepare for the future of electric transportation.

About the Host

Krista Olien is President of TPN Consulting and host of Our Parking Industry Podcast, where she explores the people, technology, and ideas shaping the future of parking.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for podcast updates, industry insights, and new episodes.

Episode Overview

In this roundtable episode, Krista Olien, Leigh Thomas, and Clyde Wilson reflect on their conversation with Graham Haldeman, CEO and General Manager of HUB Parking Technology.

The discussion focuses on a recurring challenge across the parking industry: technology is advancing quickly, but the goal should still be simple operations, strong customer service, and useful information. The team explores what happens when disconnected technology creates more complexity, why AI should support judgment rather than replace it, and why having more data does not automatically lead to better decisions.

The conversation also turns to parking conventions, vendor selection, and how operators and asset owners can move past sales pitches to find solutions that actually address the challenges in their facilities.

Why This Matters

Parking technology should make operations easier, not more complicated.

As operators gain access to more software, analytics, AI, and integrations, leaders must understand which information actually matters and how technology supports the basic goals of parking: serve customers, collect revenue, and operate efficiently.

What You’ll Learn

• Why simplicity should remain a priority as parking technology grows

• How AI and data should support operational judgment

• Why facility-level details matter more than high-level reports alone

• How to approach conventions and vendors with specific operational needs

Key Takeaways

• More technology does not automatically create a better parking experience

• Data becomes valuable only when someone understands how to interpret and apply it

• AI should support people, not replace operational expertise

• Know your facility’s problems before shopping for solutions

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Reflecting on Graham Haldeman’s episode

01:30 Simplicity, collaboration, and customer experience

03:00 Keeping operations at the center of technology

05:20 Data, AI, and the importance of interpretation

09:00 What parking data is actually useful

10:45 Looking beyond top-line revenue and expenses

13:00 Technology versus the fundamentals of parking

18:20 How parking conventions have changed

20:00 Technology vendors entering the industry

26:45 Finding meaningful conversations at industry events

29:00 Knowing your facility before looking for solutions

32:00 Why operational details matter

About the Hosts

Krista Olien

President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, data, and parking performance.

Leigh Thomas

Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity through better questions and better information.

Clyde Wilson

Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing more than four decades of experience in parking operations, technology, audits, and financial performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.

Episode Overview

In Episode 19, Krista Olien and Leigh Thomas sit down with Graham Haldeman, CEO and General Manager of HUB Parking Technology North America, to discuss his journey from valet operations to parking technology leadership.

Graham shares how experience across hospitality, universities, healthcare, airports, and parking operations shaped his approach to leadership and technology. The conversation explores connected platforms, integrations, AI, clean data, customer choice, and why people must remain at the center of every solution.

Graham also shares his vision for an industry that extends beyond gates, tickets, and payments toward a more connected customer and operational experience.

Why This Matters

Parking technology is advancing quickly, but more tools do not always create a better experience.

Disconnected systems, poor data, and overly complicated solutions can create new challenges. This episode explores why technology should simplify operations, improve customer service, and support better decisions.

What You’ll Learn

• How Graham advanced from valet operations to technology leadership
• Why connected systems and vendor collaboration matter
• Where AI helps and where human judgment is still essential
• How leadership and customer service influence successful organizations

Key Takeaways

• Technology should simplify the parking journey
• AI is only as useful as the data supporting it
• Open integrations preserve customer choice
• Strong leadership listens to employees at every level

Episode Breakdown

00:25 Graham’s parking career

02:10 Mentors and industry relationships

04:35 Technology’s growing role

06:30 Vendor collaboration and integration

09:00 Customer choice and disconnected systems

10:20 AI, machine learning, and clean data

13:50 Turning data into useful information

17:50 Customer service and technology

18:45 HUB’s connected-platform approach

20:05 FAAC and HUB’s global perspective

21:30 Building industry collaboration

25:05 Global parking trends

30:10 Leadership and employee engagement

33:20 Graham’s vision for parking

About the Guest

Graham Haldeman CEO and General Manager of HUB Parking Technology North America. Graham began his career as a valet and has held roles across parking operations, hospitality, healthcare, universities, airports, and technology. He now leads HUB’s North American organization with a focus on connected technology, customer experience, and collaboration.

About the Hosts

Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast.

Leigh Thomas Project Manager at TPN Consulting with a background in mathematics, data analysis, and operational performance.

Listen & Follow

Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Connect with TPN Consulting

Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com

Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.