All Things Parking with Dani and John

What happens when one frustrating parking problem turns into a company that changes the industry? In this episode, Dani Crain and John D. Conway sit down with Mark Lawrence, founder and CEO of Spot Hero, to unpack the company’s journey from one Wrigleyville parking spot to its acquisition by Uber. Mark shares the early lessons, hard pivots, Covid challenges, and strategic focus that helped Spot He...

How do you stay relevant in an industry that’s constantly evolving? Steve Resnick is a 30+ year industry vet who’s done a bit of everything from operations to sales to tech, and now leads North America for Get My Parking, all while still playing music and investing in real estate. He talks about how he got started, why he keeps coming back to the industry, and what he’s learned from the wins, the...

In what ways will electric vehicle (EV) charging become a competitive advantage for parking assets? In this episode, David Weber joins Dani and John to share his journey from valet parking in Las Vegas to leading EV charging strategy at SWTCH Energy. They provide a practical breakdown of EV charging economics, infrastructure, and software. A parking and mobility veteran, David Weber is helping res...

Why is parking enforcement often more dangerous than most people realize? In this episode, John and Savana talk with Nick Nicholas about viewing parking through the lens of public safety, policing, and frontline risk. Nick shares insights on why parking enforcement is one of the most under-trained and exposed roles in municipal operations. Nick Nicholas is a Police Captain with the Seal Beach Poli...

In this episode, Dani and John sit down with Julie Dixon, Founder and President of Dixon Resources Unlimited, whose 35-year career has taken her from writing tickets on a bike in Isla Vista to becoming one of the most respected voices in municipal parking. Julie shares how enforcement shaped her approach to public safety, the chaos of her first day managing San Francisco’s meter program, the real...

In this episode, Dani and John speak with Kasey Wiles, General Manager at Flash, whose journey from restaurant management to parking leadership is nothing short of remarkable. Kasey shares how mentorship, humility, and a willingness to ask for help shaped her rise through the parking industry. The discussion touches on everything from the nuances of navigating a male-dominated field to her work on...

How can parking companies scale without losing their culture? Also, what lessons can operators learn from Parkwell’s growth story?  In this episode, Dani and John talk with Joel Christensen about candid insights on culture, technology, enforcement, and the future of mobility. Joel’s story highlights the power of risk-taking, values-driven leadership, and keeping the parking industry both inno...

What lessons can you learn from the world of race car driving that apply to business generally and parking specifically? In this episode, Dani and John speak with Gustavo Menezes about his incredible journey from growing up in parking lots to competing—and winning—at Le Mans, before returning to innovate in the family business.  Gustavo Menezes is a professional race car driver who became the...

How can parking technology principles apply to freight logistics? In this episode, Dani and John speak with Zach Souder about freight logistics, leadership, team-building, and why curiosity and culture drive innovation. From parking garages to trucking yards, this conversation highlights how lessons from one industry can reshape another. Zach Souder grew up in the parking industry, working alongsi...

In the parking industry, how can young professionals stand out and grow? This episode features a special guest host, Todd Tucker, joining John Conway to interview Todd Rosen, Senior Vice President at LAZ Parking. They delve into Rosen's 20-year career in the parking industry, his journey from a valet to a senior leader, and the people-first culture at LAZ Parking. The conversation also explores th...

In this episode, John and Dani welcome tech leader and entrepreneur Scott Smeester to explore the importance of trusted insight and peer support among chief information officers (CIOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs). Scott shares how his mastermind group helps tech executives move beyond isolation and grow as strategic business leaders. From startup failures to leadership insights, this is a...

In this gripping episode, retired Denver Police SWAT Sergeant Jamie Smith shares unforgettable stories from his decades-long career—including his role as one of the first responders at the Columbine High School massacre. Jamie reflects on fear, leadership, and the importance of mental health support for law enforcement. The episode closes with a look at how he's using those lessons today to help s...

What does true leadership look like in a rapidly changing industry like parking? In this episode, Marc Baumann returns to All Things Parking for a deep dive into leadership, mergers, and the future of the parking industry. From leading a $1.5 billion acquisition to imagining trade shows in 2030, Marc shares insights from his long and varied career. Marc and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway...

Darrell Irwin shares his journey from working in corporate marketing to launching his own purpose-driven branding agency, Cre8ion.  Darrell Irwin is a branding expert and entrepreneur. As the founder of Cre8ion and host of The Purpose People Podcast, he helps companies find their why, tell their story, and make an impact in the world—all while having a lot of fun along the way. In this episod...

The parking industry is evolving fast—how prepared are we for the legal and technological shifts ahead? In this episode, Dani and John kick off the new year with a candid discussion about the state of the parking industry. They explore key industry challenges, including increasing government scrutiny over parking fees, and how technology is changing compliance and enforcement. The hosts also refle...

In this episode,Dani and John chat with Kathleen Laney about her expertise in parking recruitment. Kathleen shares her insights on the unique challenges of hiring in parking, her love for the industry, and her thoughts on the future of technology and AI in the field.  Kathleen Laney founded Laney Solutions, a powerhouse in parking industry recruitment. With her boundless energy and knack for...

In this episode, Dani and John chat with Nicole Wylie, VP of Customer Success at FLASH, about her journey through the parking industry and the transformative role of technology. They also dive into mentorship, diversity, and how parking is evolving to meet modern demands. In this episode, Nicole and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway get into: * Nicole’s transition from Groupon to SpotHero a...

In this episode, Dani and John welcome music producer Chris Conway for a lively discussion about his journey from garage band drummer to Grammy-nominated producer. Packed with sibling banter and industry stories, Chris shares the highs and lows of working with some of hip-hop’s biggest names. In this episode, Chris and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway get into: * How Chris fell in love wit...

This episode provides a candid look at the challenges and breakthroughs of building a parking tech powerhouse with Kacey Siskind. Kacey is the Senior Vice President of Client Success at HONK, a leader in parking and mobility payments. With a lively passion for solving problems and a knack for building meaningful connections, Kacey has spent 11 years helping HONK transform parking into a seamless e...

Charley DeBow, a 20-year veteran of the parking industry, joins Dani and John to discuss the evolution of parking, the impact of technology, and the importance of partnerships. Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at ParkHub, Charley DeBow has a proven track record of working in SaaS in the parking industry. With a deep expertise in parking and mobility technology, Charley is transformi...

Marc Baumann joins us to discuss his career in the parking industry and the sale of SP Plus to Metropolis for over one billion dollars. Marc shares his insights on the future of the industry, emphasizing the importance of technology and frictionless parking.  Marc Baumann is the former CEO of SP Plus. For two decades, Marc has been a driving force in the industry, constantly looking for new a...

In this episode, we speak with Alan Lazowski about his inspiring journey from starting a valet business to leading one of the largest parking companies in the world.  Alan Lazowski is the Chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking, which he co-founded over 40 years ago with his childhood friends. He’s a passionate leader, committed to putting people first, and has transformed LAZ into a people-centric o...

Today’s guest is Angela Clark, a Denver native, a former criminal prosecutor, and the President of Nationwide Parking Services, the only woman-owned parking company in Colorado. Angela serves on the National Parking Association’s Women in Parking Advisory Council, is a member of Electing Women, and is the first guest on All Things Parking’s “Celebrating Successful Women in Parking” series.  I...

Today’s guest is Mark Jackson, an NFL wide-receiver who from 1986 to 1994 for the Broncos, the New York Giants, and the Indianapolis Colts. Mark played in three Super Bowls!  Your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway talk with Mark about: * The importance of financial planning and hierarchy of values. * The 4 f's: faith, family, finance, fitness. * The 5 stages of Tribal Leadership: "Life suck...

Today’s guest is Brian Wolff, a sales-oriented leader and an angel investor with in-depth knowledge about parking, life sciences, and cloud technology. He’s also licensed to fly a plane and is the CEO of Parker Technology. In this episode, Brian and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway get into: * The future of parking and mobility with technology and innovation. * The goal of parking operator...