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“Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered” is our podcast that we use to facilitate connections and illuminate solutions to common problems within the parking and mobility industry.
We aim to do so by highlighting the voices of experts in the space, discussing trends and forward-looking technological innovations, and providing professional food for thought. All in an effort to help one another get better at what we know is harder than it looks…parking a car.
Today, we’re rewinding and recapping Episode 19: Big Ten Parking with Ross Allanson & Female Fleet Leadership with Kathy Wellik
In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, we welcome Ross Allanson, who is the Director of Parking at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. Ross is an industry veteran, having been in parking since 1989. He shares his wisdom on alternative transportation, micro-mobility, and efficient event parking.
In segment two, we sit down with Kathy Wellik, CAFM and Senior Client Success Manager of Agile Fleet to talk about her experience in fleet management.
Meet Our Guests:
Ross Allanson, CAPP, CPP
Director of Parking at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.
Ross Allanson is the Director of Parking at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. He helps lead and manage over 20,000 parking stalls, 4 million annual transit trips, and over 800 University vehicles. He has observed transportation interactions between, parking, transit, and land use for over 35 years to provide insight into how people make decisions to choose modes of travel when making a trip.
Kathy Wellik, CAFM
Senior Client Success Manager of Agile Fleet
Kathy Wellik, CAFM and Senior Client Success Manager of Agile Fleet has more than 17 years in the fleet industry as the former Director of Iowa State University Transportation Services. Kathy joined Agile Fleet in 2022 to mentor and help other fleet professionals run successful fleets. Kathy is passionate about helping other fleet professionals provide outstanding customer service, right-size their fleets, and make their fleets more efficient while understanding all aspects of their fleet. Kathy is an active member and serves(d) on various boards of directors and committees for NCSFA, NAFA, NTEA, GFX, and Big Ten and Friends Parking and Transportation Conference. She also teaches multiple NAFA CAFM classes, presents at several fleet events each year, and is a judge for the NAFA Sustainable Fleets Awards.
You Won’t Want to Miss These Clips:
Segment 1 with Ross Allanson
• Meet Ross Allanson: Parking Expert (00:21)
• Ross’s Early Life and Career Beginnings (02:20)
• Transition to University of Minnesota (05:15)
• Event Parking Insights (10:11)
• Leadership and Team Management (22:10)
• Technological Changes in Parking (28:23)
• Personal Stories and Reflections (35:30)
• The Hardest Thing You’ve Ever Done (44:06 )
• Empathy in the Workplace (44:55)
• Hobbies and Personal Life (48:40)
Segment 2 with Kathy Wellik
• Fleet Management Insights (54:41)
• The Importance of Professional Organizations (01:11:03)
• Women in a Male-Dominated Industry (01:15:18)
• Fun and Travel Stories (01:20:15)
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Courtney Cooper
Events + Community Manager
Courtney is the Events + Community Manager at Parker Technology and has 8 years of marketing experience in marketing campaign management, events, copywriting, and podcasting.
She is currently a member of the Indy American Marketing Association Chapter, and is an associate member of Pavilion.