An excerpt of this piece was originally published by IPMI.

“Be sure to ‘get out on the street,’ listen to what customers and employees have to say, and most of all, be fair.”

By Tydus Kira Mana, Client Success Principal at Passport

As John Peverada officially retires after more than 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Portland and the parking industry, it’s an honor to reflect on the incredible legacy he leaves behind.

For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside John as Client Success Principal at Passport. During that time, I’ve come to know him as not only a thoughtful and visionary leader but also as a person of unwavering integrity. His approach to solving complex challenges with humility and fairness has shaped Portland’s parking operations into a model for cities across the country.

Initially joining the City during a downturn in the real estate market, John anticipated that his tenure in parking would last just a couple of years. Yet, as soon as he stepped into his role as Parking Manager, he was captivated by the field’s range of challenges: Everything from technology upgrades and garage maintenance to budgeting, personnel management, and customer service. Over time, his position evolved into Parking Director, granting him greater autonomy and allowing him to shape the program’s direction in a very hands-on way.

John’s industry influence extends well beyond Portland. A former member of the New England Parking Council (NEPC) Board of Directors, he has continually stressed the importance of professional development, networking, and staying ahead of industry trends. In his own words, it is “more about substance than style,” a philosophy he has carried with him throughout his career. Honesty, fairness, and approachability have been hallmarks of his leadership style.

A Career of Notable Accomplishments

Over the course of his career, John oversaw a range of projects that significantly improved parking operations, not just in Portland but as a model for cities of stature. A key highlight is Portland’s transition from hand-written parking citations (more than 100,000 per year!) to a cloud-based handheld electronic ticketing system, complete with real-time citation data, digital permitting, online payment capabilities, and License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. This transformation dramatically decreased operational overhead and reduced errors, all while giving residents and visitors a more convenient experience.

John also embraced mobile parking payments early on, positioning Portland as a leader in digital convenience. Today, nearly 80% of the city’s meter revenue comes through mobile payments, a testament to John’s foresight and willingness to adopt innovative solutions.

A Vision for the Future

In my role at Passport, I’ve had a front-row seat to how John approaches vendor partnerships. He’s thoughtful, strategic, and always has his team and community’s best interests in mind. Whether implementing digital permitting or enhancing enforcement technologies, our work together has always been collaborative, with the shared goal of creating the best experience possible for the people of Portland.

But what I’ve admired most is that John never forgets the human side of the work. In his words, “Be sure to ‘get out on the street,’ listen to what customers and employees have to say, and most of all, be fair.”

Guiding Principles and Advice for Newcomers

Honesty, fairness, and straightforward communication have guided John’s decision-making over the years. He advises those just starting in the parking industry to stay informed and remain flexible:

• Join professional associations like the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the National Parking Association (NPA), and regional groups for networking and professional development.
• Keep up with trade journals and new technologies by talking to vendors about industry trends.
• Most importantly, listen to your customers, peers, and frontline team.

Looking Ahead

As John enters the next chapter of his life, he looks forward to balancing part-time work and volunteer projects with family time and personal interests. An avid outdoorsman, he’s eager to spend more days hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing. But even as he steps away from his full-time leadership role, there is little doubt that his presence will continue to be felt in the industry he has helped shape for many years.

John leaves behind a legacy of innovation, integrity, and collaboration—qualities that have made Portland’s parking program a standout example for cities nationwide. While the parking industry will miss his daily leadership, his contributions and vision will remain embedded in the systems and policies he championed, guiding the path for future parking professionals who share his passion for problem-solving and commitment to the public good.

Congratulations, John, and thank you.