Current Position:
Consultant,
Walker Consultants

Home Base:
Charlottesville, VA

Reason for Pursuing CAPP Certification:

When I entered the parking industry in 2013, my first position was in a university setting and it was made clear to me that certification would be a prerequisite for promotion in the years to come. My predecessor had been a CAPP professional, so it was strongly encouraged for me to pursue my certification when the time came. The CAPP program provides a path for professional development, which is a critical component to progressing in your career and learning the relevant skills to be successful in our industry.

Roadblocks or Obstacles Overcome on the Journey to CAPP Certification:
Achieving the CAPP certification was an intimidating proposition to me for several reasons; I hate standardized tests and had only been in parking three years before certifying. When you first jump in, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the volume of content. I was concerned about how I would figure out how to parse out what information I needed to pass the test. As I moved forward, I learned that IPMI provided the tools and resources that candidates need to successfully study for and pass the exam. The tools were excellent, and in the time since I took the exam, they have gotten even better. In addition, I was lucky to find great mentors who helped me through both the learning process and who gave me the reassurance and confidence I needed to feel prepared.

Impact the Certification Has Made on Your Career:
Becoming a CAPP professional directly led to my promotion from Manager to Director. My employer at the time really understood the value of the certification, and they recognized that I was now in an elite group of professionals that lead the industry. It is tremendous to be recognized as contributing at a higher level, and to be included in higher-level discourse throughout the industry. It also positions me to be able to give back to the profession, and I am excited to begin service on the CAPP Certification Board in June 2023. Mentoring others that want to achieve CAPP Certification and helping them the way that others helped me is extremely rewarding.

Best Advice for Those Considering CAPP Certification:
Give yourself grace and time to acquire the knowledge you need to be successful on the exam. Seek out industry mentors who will make the biggest impression on you. They are the ones who will help enable your success.