Parking - March 2010 - 15

Government, Institutional and Non-Proﬁt Corner Robert Baer Passion for Parking Several years ago as my daughter prepared to graduate from high school, we made several trips to visit universities in Ohio. Each visit included the usual brief orientation to the school and a tour of the campus and dorms. This was what interested my daughter the most. I, on the other hand, managed to scope out parking facilities and parking meters. I was usually the first parent to ask about parking policies for the incoming freshman. My daughter was completely annoyed when I insisted on driving through the parking garages before heading home after each visit. Two years ago prior to the convention in Las Vegas, my wife asked, “Do you have any plans besides the conference?” My reply was simply, “Yes, I plan on touring a steel structured parking garage and watching the valet operation in front of Caesar’s Palace.” She gave me the same look my daughter had given me and said, “You’re kidding…right?” They just do not get it! Much like the baggage handler in the Southwest Airlines commercial who says “bags are my life” and “I love bags,” I am passionate about what we do. While I will not go as far as saying, “parking is my life,” I do love the business that we are in and parking is a major part of my life. I believe there are many of you who share the same view. I was introduced to the National Parking Association and encouraged to participate by a gentleman who is also passionate about this business. I don’t think you spend 40 years in this business without passion for what we do. Jake Carleton, CPP, who recently retired from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, has been one of the most recognizable faces at NPA events and most recently as the chair of the GINP Division. Jake was also the first person to greet me with a warm smile and friendly handshake when I showed up at the Ohio Parking Association. He started with APCOA in 1969 and later joined Cuyahoga County, where he spent the last 32 years. Jake was an active member and past president of both the Cleveland and Ohio Parking Associations. He has been active with the NPA for the past 15 years. On behalf of NPA, I want to wish Jake and his family the best as he begins this new phase of his life and thank him for his many years of service to the industry and his contributions to NPA. I knew I could always find a friendly face with Jake and hope we continue to see him around! I have now assumed the seat that Jake has occupied for the last two years and hope to make him proud. I encourage all of you parking operators from city and county governments, hospitals and universities to reach out to your peers and share your experiences. If you are not a member of NPA, consider joining now and take advantage of the opportunities that are available. Together we can work to make this organization the preeminent association serving the parking industry. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you! Robert “Bob” Baer is director of Parking and Transportation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and represents the Government, Institutional and Non-Proﬁt Division on NPA’s Executive Committee. He can be reached at robert.baer@cchmc.org. Marketing Minute Continued away, we set the bucket on the counter, full of rodents and probably more to come after the “reunion,” and I said to my son…………run! We laughed so hard all the way home we nearly wet ourselves. Here is my take away: Examine your business today. What are your salespeople promising your customers? Are you telling them that they are getting two males, but end up with litters of problems because you didn’t deliver what you said you would? Be careful; you might end up with a bucket full of problems right back at you! Jeff Pinyot is the founder and vice president of business development of ECO Parking Lights. He can be reached at jspinyot@ECOParkingLights.com. www.npapark.org PARKING March 2010

Parking - March 2010

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