TPTA Distinguished Service Award
Each year, TPTA recognizes the contributions of individuals in the parking and transportation industry who are helping to advance the profession and contribute to our organization's efforts throughout Texas. The TPTA Distinguished Service Award recognizes parking and transportation professionals who have proven their commitment and dedication to the education, professional development, creative solutions and standards of customer service in the parking and transportation industry.
We are thrilled for the opportunity to recognize these deserving professionals who are not only leaders in the industry, but supporting communities throughout their state in every way possible. We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Service Awards. If you know a great parking professional who has impacted their organization and contributed to the advancement of the parking, transportation, and mobility industry, nominate them today.
The winner will be announced at the 2025 TPTA Conference & Tradeshow.
Award Criteria Includes:
Professional reputation
Public Relations and Customer Service
Peer Interaction
Nominations are due no later than March 1, 2025. Please submit all application materials through the application form.
2019 Distinguished Service Award
Maria Irshad, Assistant Director for ParkHouston
Maria Irshad, CAPP, MPA is the Assistant Director for ParkHouston, the agency responsible for on-street parking in the City of Houston. ParkHouston manages about 9,500 paid parking spaces, including 19 off-street surface lots; the enforcement of all parking codes and the administration of various permits. In her role as Assistant Director, Maria leads a team of 75 and provides parking policy recommendations to the Mayor’s Office.
Maria is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She serves on various IPI committees and is a past president of Women Professionals in Government. The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) recognized Maria with a “Spotlight Award” in 2014 for her contributions toward solving public sector problems.
2018 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Debbie Hoffmann, Associate Director of Transportation Services, Texas A&M University
I am proud to recommend Debbie Hoffmann, Associate Director of Transportation Services, Texas A&M University, for the Texas Parking and Transportation Association’s (TPTA) Distinguished Service Award for 2017. Debbie is a well-known and respected parking professional. Everyone who knows her will attest that she is one of the most helpful, patient and encouraging people in our field. She is quick to lift others up, help others achieve, and give her credit to the team, whether on a local or national stage. She oversees our Customer Service, Special Event, Marketing and Alternative Transportation units for this 60,000-student university, making her one of the most knowledgeable experts in these areas of our profession. Her hard work, professionalism and in-depth knowledge have helped catapult A&M to the top of the parking and transportation industry on many fronts.
2016 Distinguished Service Award
Chuck Reedstrom, CAPP, Senior Practice Builder, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
The Texas parking industry has a great number of professionals who strongly deserve the honor of being recognized for their distinguished service. To be nominated in such an elite group is an honor in itself.
It is with great pleasure that I nominate Charles “Chuck” Reedstrom, CAPP for the 2016 TPTA Distinguished Service Award. His thorough understanding of the parking industry coupled with his strong desire to serve the public is beneficial to the industry on a whole.
2015 distinguished service award
Jane Wilcox, Senior Facility Manager, SP+ Corporation
Jane has been a part of the Parking and Transportation industry for over 18 years and in addition to being the Webmaster and Event Planner for JW Consulting, she also serves as the Senior Facilities Manager for SP+. Her many years of experience paired with her groundbreaking skills have allowed her to excel and encourage others within the industry to improve consumer services.
2014 distinguished service award
Dr. Bob Harkins, Associate Vice-President, The University of Texas at Austin
Please accept this email as my official nomination of Dr. Robert Harkins for the TPTA Distinguished Service Award. I am making this nomination based upon the many contributions that Bob has provided to the TPTA, The University of Texas Parking and Transportation Department, and the parking industry in Texas in general. Bob has diligently served on the Board of the TPTA for over 13 years, including the role of President multiple times.
Bob began on the Board in 2000. As far as other accomplishments not previously mentioned, was the fact that Bob stepped up and took on the role of President twice, due to resignations and people leaving. This was in response to the Conference locations and the need for local representation at the time. I think bottom line was his willingness to do whatever necessary to help grow the organization. Especially during a period of time when membership and participation were on the decline. He was also instrumental in bringing more of the transportation side of the industry into the organization.