PARKING PROFESSIONALS WORK HARD TO KEEP EVERYONE ELSE MOVING. It’s a vital job and deserves celebrating, especially of the people who inspire those around them. This year’s Professional Recognition Award winners are inspirational in their dedication, innovation, and tremendous worth ethic and attitude—they’re the people everyone else loves to work with and the ones spreading the good word that Parking Matters® by their actions every day. We hope you enjoy meeting this year’s Professional Recognition Program award winners.
Staff Member of the Year
Supervisor of the Year
Christopher Bush
Operations Manager, Parking and Transportation Services Duke University
SHUTTERSTOCK JIRSAK
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ince joining the staff at Duke University in 2016, Christopher Bush has been responsible for setting up nearly 1,400 special events held on campus every year. With great attention to detail, he ensures events are successful and in keeping with university standards—he knows what needs to be in place for every kind of event and keeps the community in mind with every decision. That attention to detail carries over to his parking-specific duties as well, where he is known for effective monitoring and enforcement of rules and regulations. Bush has earned a reputation as being irreplaceable during game days and is the guy everybody else on the team wants working with them when tailgates are happening. He’s also lead trainer for the automatic license plate reader system, and his time management skills are second to none. Beyond all that, Bush is always happy to pitch in whenever and wherever he’s needed, taking on everything from last-minute enforcement requests to escorting high-profile guests on campus. He responds to every situation with grace and poise and is a well- respected and welcome sight on campus.
Travis Hargitt
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Director of Operations City of Eugene | Parking Services
ravis Hargitt is known as much more than a parking supervisor—his colleagues think of him as an ambassador for the industry who believes parking can and does positively change the community and have a positive influence on other municipal programs. Every interaction with someone in the community is an opportunity to connect at a deeper level, even when things start out with a complaint or negative feeling, and Hargitt makes a point to regularly meet with neighborhood organizations, businesses, and everyone else who wants to learn more about parking. Hargitt reimagined his employees’ role from parking enforcement officers to city ambassadors—people who are friendly, approachable, and problem-solvers. He worked to boost officers’ salaries, advocates industry education and certification, and is working to expand his Initial Job Qualification Standard training program into a full-blown certification. And he’s a strong supporter of industry sustainability and modernization of structures; last year alone, he oversaw the first deep-cleaning of three garages, retrofitted two more with LED lighting, replaced parking attendant booths with more modern versions, and started redesigning THE PARKING PROFESSIONAL | JUNE 2018 | PARKING.ORG/TPP 33