International Parking Institute Names TAMU Transportation Services "Parking Organization of the Year"

Press Release

Published: June 2009

COLLEGE STATION, June 4, 2009 – Texas A&M University and its Transportation Services department have been named the “Parking Organization of the Year” by the International Parking Institute (IPI), marking the first time a university has been recognized for this prestigious international award.

The award, designed to commend trends in parking facility design, programs and facilities, is presented each year at IPI’s annual convention, which will be held this year in Denver.

IPI officials said in announcing the award that Texas A&M’s Transportation Services was selected for its “leadership and innovative solutions for the industry.”

“Being honored as ‘Parking Organization of the Year’ is most appropriate for Transportation Services in view of your many contributions to the parking and transportation industry,” said Don Thornton, director of Parking and Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky and a member of the award committee, in notifying Texas A&M officials of the award.

“The strength and recognition attained by the department over the past five years is a tribute to a talented staff and supporting university administration. Being the ‘Parking Organization of the Year’ is not only a compliment for the past but also reflects upon the future of Transportation Services and Texas A&M University,” Thornton adds.

Transportation Services has been recognized as an industry leader in areas such as parking systems technology, traffic operations, marketing and customer service.

“I am very proud of this award for two reasons,” said Rodney Weis, executive director of Transportation Services at Texas A&M. “It is great to have your peers recognize that you have developed an outstanding program and are one of the best in the industry, but I am more proud of the fact that it was awarded because of my team. Every staff member at Transportation Services contributes on a daily basis and I am thankful for their efforts. They make this an award-winning program.”

IPI is a trade organization that was founded to represent the marketing, economical and political concerns of parking professionals found in virtually every area, including major transit authorities, airports, hospitals, universities, hotels, casinos, sports centers and more. Its members include owners and operators of parking operations and facilities, as well as manufacturers, equipment suppliers, industry consultants, engineers and architects.

Contact: June A. Broughton ( 979) 862-7371 or june@tamu.edu or Tura King at (979) 845-4670 or tura-king@tamu.edu