Lauren Nelson, Winpark
From the time I was 15 years old, I always knew that I would be in the restaurant business. This was true for a very long time. After years of managing restaurants from fine dining to local wing joints, I was ready for a change. In the middle of a busy football Sunday, slinging wings and pouring beers, I got a call that would change my life.
After an initial interview for a property management position and several subsequent interviews, I found myself being offered a parking management position with Hines’ parking division, Winpark.
Career changes are scary but it was time for the next chapter in my life so I jumped right in and never looked back. That was almost four years ago. I currently manage the Williams Tower garage, a 3,124 space garage serving one of Houston’s most iconic buildings, a building I was always amazed with growing up.
This career change provided an immediate improvement in my family’s quality of life and the roles I played in the restaurant business transfer quite well to the parking industry. After all, customer service is applicable in almost every management position, and this is certainly true for parking.
I have to say, I love my job and a career in parking is just right for me.
Lauren Nelson