PEOPLE
The winners of this year’s Pro
P
ARKING AND MOBILITY OPERATIONS and initiatives could not succeed without the talented
and dedicated people behind them. This year’s Professional Recognition Program award winners are those people on the frontlines and behind the scenes who ensure each daily operation, special project, or new initiative goes beyond expectations.
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James M. Hunnicutt, CAPP, Industry Professional of the Year
Maria Irshad, CAPP ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
ParkHouston Houston, Texas Maria Irshad, CAPP—known as “the parking lady” around Houston—is dedicated, well-respected by colleagues, and known for her innovation. ParkHouston manages about 9,500 paid parking spaces and 19 off-street surface lots; the enforcement of all parking codes; and the administration of various permits. Irshad leads a team of 75 and provides parking policy recommendations to the Mayor’s Office. Irshad holds a master’s degree in public administration. In 2015, she spearheaded Accredited Parking Organization (APO) 30 PARKING & MOBILITY / JUNE 2020 / PARKING-MOBILITY.ORG
recognition for ParkHouston, and the organization earned APO with Distinction in 2016. In 2017, she organized a committee of private parking operators to provide parking for the Super Bowl in Houston through the My Fan parking app. In addition, she’s been very close to the arts community. She collaborated with Houston Arts Alliance to create the nation’s first art parking meter sculptures, which were featured in the 2016 Sculpture Month Houston tour. She was successful in being awarded a $3.2 million federal grant to establish a public-private partnership for an automated parking guidance system for downtown Houston, which launched the first on-street car-share program in the city.
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