AROUND THE INDUSTRY

TimHaahs—Now THA Consulting

TIMOTHY HAAHS & ASSOCIATES (TimHaahs)—a multi-disciplined engineering, architectural, and mobility consulting firm specializing in parking and mixed-use facilities—announced the transition to a new leadership team and a company-wide rebranding as THA Consulting, Inc. (THA). The firm’s international and national portfolio includes thousands of projects in which it has provided planning, design, engineering, consulting, and restoration services related to parking and mixed-use facilities.

The new leadership team of THA Consulting features industry veterans with extensive experience on a wide range of projects for the firm’s clients. Chief Executive Officer Todd J. Helmer, PE, who has been with the firm for 25 years, will be responsible for the company’s overall vision and strategic direction, client relationships, business management and financial management performance, and overall corporate operations. President James M. Zullo, CAPP, AICP, will oversee business development, marketing, and study services. Zullo, who has been with the company for 13 years and managed its New Jersey operations, will continue to serve as section leader for transit-oriented development.

As part of the leadership changes Janice Haahs, MBA, who has served as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer for 26 years, will also assume the role of Chief Administrative Officer. In that capacity, she will supervise and manage the daily operations of the company. These leadership changes—and the rebranding—follow the December retirement of Timothy Haahs, the company’s founder, president, and CEO. “Our team members have always placed a strong emphasis on understanding the specific needs and goals of each of our clients,” says Helmer. “This rebranding reflects the evolution and growth of our firm, as well as our continued commitment to delivering creative, innovative parking solutions while providing exceptional client services. Our experienced team at THA Consulting makes us uniquely positioned to continue to serve our clients through the transformative changes and increased focus on sustainability that are reshaping the industry. We are all excited for what the future holds for our firm.”

As part of its rebranding, the company is transitioning to a new website, tha-consulting.com, adopting a new logo, and making changes to its social media channels.

“The expertise of our management team has been honed through extensive hands-on experience tackling unique and complex issues associated with parking and mixed-use facilities, and through a commitment to client service and responsiveness,” says Zullo. “While our company’s name is changing, we are the same dedicated team of professionals with extensive experience in the unique and complex issues associated with parking planning, consulting, and the design of parking and mixed-use facilities.”

Founded in 1994, THA Consulting is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The firm also has regional offices in Atlanta, Ga.; New Brunswick, N.J.; and Miami, Fla. THA has played a vital role in planning and developing stand-alone and integrated parking facilities for a diverse range of transformative, award-winning parking and mixeduse projects for clients in the corporate, government, healthcare, higher education, development/construction, and transit sectors.

Helmer

Zullo

ParkMobile Launches New Mobile Web App for Contactless Parking Payments

PARKMOBILE launched a new web app enabling users to quickly pay for parking in a mobile web browser. This web app is another way ParkMobile provides more options for people who prefer to make a contactless parking payment but do not want to download a full-featured mobile app. This news comes on the heels of the December announcement that ParkMobile payments can also be made in the new Google Pay app.

A user can access the new ParkMobile web app by visiting parkmobile.io and touching “Enter Zone Number.” The app can also be opened by scanning the QR code posted on a ParkMobile sign or texting “PARK” to 77223. Once in the mobile web app, the user enters the zone number posted on the signs around the space, chooses the duration, and touches the “start parking” button.

Current users of the ParkMobile app for iOS or Android can use their same account credentials to log in to the web app. Additionally, the web app will be introducing a guest checkout option in the coming months, allowing users to pay for parking without creating an account.

“Contactless payment options are an important way to fight COVID-19,” says Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “The ParkMobile web app is a great new tool that will give our residents and visitors more ways to enjoy our community safely.”

“We are always listening to our users, and we’ve found that some people prefer a lightweight web app to the full-featured Android or iOS app,” says Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. “Our new web app makes it quick and easy to pay for parking in a mobile web browser and will help increase the adoption of contactless payments in cities across the country.”

Toledo Ticket Technologies and Oobeo, Inc. Announce Acquisition

TOLEDO TICKET TECHNOLOGIES is pleased to announce its acquisition of Oobeo, Inc., a parking technology company specializing in valet management solutions and web-based contactless payment systems. The move further enhances and grows Toledo Ticket’s evolving product portfolio and technology-based solutions.

Dave Dorner, EVP Toledo Ticket, has assumed new responsibility as president of Oobeo, Inc. Dorner saus, “The acquisition of Oobeo is another step in Toledo Ticket’s strategic plan to provide additional technologies for secure access across the parking and event ticketing industries.”

Oobeo offers cloud-based software that streamlines parking operations through web, mobile and SMS technology. Oobeo’s technology enables clients in industries including hospitality, education and healthcare, across the U.S., to deliver unparalleled customer satisfaction and access through valet management and ticketing services.

“We are excited to welcome Oobeo to the Toledo Ticket Technologies team. Their products are the best available and deliver an unmatched user experience. Couple that with employees dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality of service and most advanced software, Oobeo is the perfect partner for us,” says Tom Carter, president and chief executive officer, Toledo Ticket Technologies. “For more than 110 years, Toledo Ticket has prided itself in understanding the challenges our customers face and how we can help them achieve their goals. The acquisition of Oobeo reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with the most technologically advanced solutions to their ticketing and parking management challenges.

Unlike other options available, Oobeo’s technology works via text messaging so customers do not need to download an app to utilize these services. Oobeo offers three different parking platform solutions for parking operators: valet parking management, pay by space (self-parking) and permit management. The technology offers an efficient and economical operating platform for operators, property owners, colleges, and municipalities and a seamless experience for their customers.

“Toledo Ticket Technologies is the perfect fit for Oobeo. With its stellar reputation, credibility and access, it is a natural fit for us and allows Oobeo to continue to grow our footprint and technology solutions,” says Tom Bexx, Director of Product Development, Oobeo.

Watry Design, Inc. Promotes Key Staff to Principals and Director

WATRY DESIGN, INC. is pleased to announce the promotions of four associate principals to Principal and one associate director to director. The firm aspires to recognize those who go above and beyond and these long-time employees have served as exemplary examples of our company’s core values.

Derek Beaudoin, SE, Principal, started his career with Watry Design in 2003 and is licensed in 4 states. He has extensive experience in parking structure design and renovation. He has led high profile parking projects for clients such as Facebook and Marin General Hospital and is currently working to enhance the passenger experience for Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal modernization multimodal complex. Derek’s tireless efforts ensure that parking is something everyone is proud of.

Hannah Brooks, Principal, Business Development & Marketing, who joined the firm in 2005 to champion firm growth, leads marketing and business development utilizing skills from a career that began in 1990. Her content-rich, integrated marketing and business development strategies have significantly grown the firm’s overall market presence, provided a platform for Watry Design’s parking experts and contributed to strategic project wins in new and existing markets.

Matt Davis, Principal, who started his career with Watry Design in 2002, is dedicated to sustainable and innovative parking design. Working tirelessly to design parking that meets clients’ specific needs, he has led the design of parking solutions for transit authorities such as Sound Transit and Foothill Gold Line, as well as developed innovative solutions for clients such as the University of California San Diego.

Michael Pendergrass, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA, Principal, is licensed in 8 states. He began his parking design career in 2002 and joined Watry Design in 2013. A powerful advocate for well-integrated parking, Michael collaborates extensively with stakeholders to gain consensus and ensure parking solutions achieve their vision. From leading landmark parking projects for airports such as Los Angeles International and San Diego International, to enhancing the campus experience at University of California, Irvine, he is dedicated to making his clients look good.

Francisco Navarro, Director of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Parksmart Advisor, who started his career with Watry Design in 1998, leads the firm’s continuing advancement of BIM Technology to deliver parking solutions specifically tailored to a project’s needs. Through his commitment to innovation, our integrated architects, structural engineers and parking planners are able to provide unparalleled collaborative solutions for our clients. In addition to his Director of BIM responsibilities, Francisco leads parking projects for clients such as the University of Nevada Reno and the County of San Mateo.

Sarasota, Fla., Offers New Permit Program Using RFID Technology

THE CITY OF SARASOTA Parking Management program is now offering a faster and easier way to park. Like the toll road pass system, Breezy Pass will make getting in and out of the city’s parking garages faster, easier, and touch free! The new system will improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. It also provides a faster, contactless entry and exit program for employee parking. For the first time, the city is also encouraging the general public to purchase the Breezy Pass to improve parking access at all the city’s award-winning parking facilities.

Using the Breezy Pass simplifies the payment process and reduces time to find parking. Commonly referred to as a permit, Breezy Pass will be provided and offer several operating features which vary by location.

Breezy Pass will be available for use in the Palm Avenue and State Street garages in Downtown, and the St. Armand’s parking garage. A pass can be purchased that is good for all three facilities, the downtown garages, or just St. Armand’s garage. Users will be able to pay a flat monthly rate or pay the actual parking fee via debit account maintained on file with the city.