T2 has some of the brightest minds in the parking industry, and each employee owns a unique set of talents and experiences that help our customers succeed. We spoke with Kristina Morris, T2 Project Manager, to learn more about her experiences in the parking industry and how she ended up at T2.
Where did you grow up?
I have strong roots in an area many would say doesn’t even exist: Central New Jersey. I was born in New Brunswick and spent my formative years living in the neighboring town of North Brunswick. I resided in various locations in Central Jersey until after getting married, at which point my spouse and I made the difficult decision to move elsewhere due to the high cost of living in the state.
What most shaped who you are as a person?
My dad, without a doubt. I always greatly admired him for his courage in standing up for his beliefs, even when they differed from others. He always showed kindness and compassion towards others and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Personally, he instilled in me the importance of being proud of who I am as an individual, as a female, and as a member of our family. He made sure that I learned about accomplished women in school projects and even went the extra mile to get me autographs and letters from inspiring women. His teachings on compassion and belief in my abilities have had a profound impact on me. Heck, even my taste in music and movies was shaped by his influence!
Who were your role models growing up? And currently?
Besides my father, I consider Madame de Pompadour — personal confidante and trusted advisor to King Louis XV and de facto prime minister of France — a significant inspiration in my life. She was truly exceptional, showcasing a wide range of talents and skills such as artistry, printmaking, acting, gem engraving (a rare skill in those days), architecture, music, playwriting, and politics. She played a significant role in the design of notable buildings in France such as the École Militaire and Place de la Concorde and is widely considered to be a central figure and a major source of inspiration for the Rococo movement in design and architecture. Additionally, she was a strong supporter of the arts and enlightenment, even providing protection to many authors and editors of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. While her ambition and tactics may not align entirely with my values, I respect her ability to achieve her goals with charm, grace, and a well-rounded skill set. I greatly admire individuals who uplift others while also pursuing their own aspirations, and she exemplified this balance remarkably well.
How did you end up in the parking industry, and at T2?
I stumbled into it! Over the years, I’ve had various roles in different companies, starting in a technical role as a programmer before gradually transitioning to a more customer-facing role in project management. While I excelled in project management, my true passion lies in training and helping others learn. Fortunately, I was able to find a position as a trainer at United Public Safety. Although it was a small company and I had to take on multiple roles, including project management, it was a stepping-stone towards my desired career path. In 2020, T2 acquired United Public Safety, and thanks to the support of the management team, we were able to bring on two new dedicated project managers. This development has allowed me to shift my focus entirely to training, which I am truly excited about.
Please provide an example of an achievement or interaction at T2 that is a great example of success in your role.
In my experience, what truly exemplifies my success is the consistent feedback from clients who appreciate the thoroughness of my training and my ability to anticipate and address their questions before they even have to ask them.
How do you approach continuous learning and professional development within the parking industry?
A significant portion of it comes from valuable insights shared by our clients. During my trainings, I take the time to inquire about their specific operational strategies and the challenges they face in their respective areas. This not only helps me to better tailor my sessions to meet their needs, but also gives me a broader understanding of the parking industry as a whole. Attending T2 Connect events is another valuable opportunity to learn from a variety of sessions and round-table discussions with clients and vendors. In addition, I stay informed by reading articles and studies that align with my interests in the parking industry, and I regularly subscribe to a few different parking-related magazines to keep up-to-date on industry trends and developments.
What is something that you love about the parking industry?
I really enjoy the intricacies and challenges of working in the parking industry. While many people may view it as simple to just install meters, construct parking lots and garages, or enforce regulations, the reality is much more complex. It’s fascinating how much goes on behind the scenes that the general public doesn’t even realize!
Do you have a fun parking story?
I don’t have many interesting parking stories to share, but one recent experience comes to mind. My spouse, some friends, and I went into town for a casual day out. I used an app to pay for parking, but unfortunately missed the alert that my time was running out. As a result, I received a parking ticket for being a few minutes late in renewing it. Thankfully, I knew from working in parking that some places are understanding in cases where you can prove you paid shortly after expiration, especially for rare mistakes. I reached out to the city clerks, provided them with my proof, and they were kind enough to dismiss the ticket. My spouse and friends were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the outcome — they had never considered trying that and were unaware it was even an option!
What are your hobbies? What do you do for decompression while you’re at work?
I have a passion for exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. My ultimate goal is to see as much of the world as possible in my lifetime. In addition, I enjoy reading, learning new things, doing arts and crafts, and spending quality time with friends playing various games, or simply sharing good food and drinks. I also always find myself singing and grooving to music, even if I don’t know all the lyrics. As for during work hours, I find that listening to music or background noise helps me relax and focus. Sometimes I take short breaks outside in nature or tend to my plants. And my spouse and I make it a priority to have lunch together since we both work from home — spending that time playing games on our phones while catching up with each other.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m actually an introvert! It may seem ironic, then, that my job involves interacting with clients, but I genuinely enjoy it. While I may not always be the most talkative person, I have found that I excel at communicating effectively when I am familiar with the individuals or when there is a clear goal, such as training, to guide the conversation. Additionally, being an introvert allows me to be a good listener and observer, which helps me to identify challenges or difficulties others may be facing more easily. Taking the time to gather information allows me to provide a thoughtful and effective solution to the issue at hand.
If you’re interested in a career with T2, check out our job postings.
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