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 Dave Grimwood, T2 SVP of Technology, to learn more about his love for technology and how he manages to stay ahead of the curve.
Meet Dave Grimwood
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology, and how has your journey led you to your current role as T2 Senior Vice President of Technology?
I have always been drawn to technology and really took to software development in high school and college. I started building modifications for some of my favorite video games in college and it just seemed natural to focus on technology through school and my career. After I graduated college, I went into Software Consulting where I was frequently asked to learn a new technology and be accountable for implementation for a customer. I really enjoyed coaching customers in new technologies and leading the development teams in the implementation.
As a leader in the technology sector, how do you stay updated on emerging trends and innovations, and how do you incorporate them into your strategic vision?
I try to read as much as possible and dedicate time to it every night. Reading proven theories on leadership and process is a requirement for implementing strategy. I just finished reading Working Backwards and it gave a lot of insight and ideas for launching initiatives and organizational design. Emerging technology is a little different, and it is very rare to find a book that is relevant after it is published. I try to dedicate time in the morning to listen to technology podcasts or read publications on Substack. There is a lot of online content and forums out there to keep up with, and the podcasts alone can keep you company for commuting to the office.
What do you consider to be the most significant technological challenges facing your industry today, and how do you plan to address them?
The use of artificial intelligence will be the most significant challenge for any industry. The general challenges surrounding privacy, security, and business ethics will be highly impactful to the world we live in, but I should leave that potential dystopian society conversation for another day. As a leader, I want to ensure we embrace AI in an outcome-driven way. I have both heard about and witnessed failed AI projects and believe that most of these failures are due to a lack of upfront due diligence. I look forward to collaborating with others at T2 in defining some clear objectives how we would like to leverage AI to advance.
Can you share a particularly challenging project you’ve overseen in your career, and how you navigated it to success?
I have been in technology for over 20 years and have yet to be involved in any substantial project that goes perfectly. It doesn’t matter the length — 2 months to 2 years — the key is getting the team and stakeholders on realistic expectations and then providing frequent updates that are transparent and elicit feedback. Baselining expectations may drag everyone down into a valley of despair, but it at least brings everyone together on the effort it will take to succeed.
Collaboration is often essential in the tech world. How do you foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within your team or organization?
Engineering and Technology is here to serve our company and our customers. Collaboration amongst departments is essential to knowing the problems that we are attempting to solve. In my first three months here, I am thankful that we have such open communication and transparency in each team and across our departments. I am hopeful we can eventually establish a cross-functional innovation team responsible for focusing on our horizon 3, where we charter new technologies and ideas, implement prototypes, and pressure test their feasibility.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the technology sector who aspire to reach executive positions like yours?
Surround yourself with a team who is more knowledgeable and skilled than you are and create relationships with them. Understanding your team and creating a feedback loop is essential to creating a high-performing team who can operate autonomously with accountability and grace. As a leader, you need to stay focused on strategy and long-term objectives. It is essential to have leaders on your team who you can trust to make a plan and execute.
Can you share a defining moment or accomplishment in your career that has shaped your leadership style and approach to problem-solving in the technology space?
I try to evolve my leadership style from all successes and failures with a continuous learning and improvement mindset. More often than not I find myself in retrospectives after I did not meet my own expectations and I put a concerted effort into adjusting my routines to better handle similar situations in the future.
Outside of your role, what are some of your passions or hobbies that you engage in to unwind and recharge?
Throughout the last 18 years of my life I have been blessed to be a father of three and many of my individual hobbies have been put on hold. I have found that I am a much more pleasant person to be around if I recharge through hiking and general physical fitness. Going to the gym or a long hike allows my brain to reset and not think about everyday life, all while setting me up for a good night of sleep.
Balancing a demanding professional role and personal life can be challenging. How do you prioritize and maintain a healthy work-life balance, and do any daily rituals or practices contribute to your overall well-being?
Balancing work-life balance seemed to get much more difficult since working remotely in 2020. It was quite easy to work from early morning with my European peers to late in the evening with my west coast colleagues. Of course, some of these habits were hard to break even after returning to the office. I try to review my calendar before the work week starts and block out time in the calendar reminding me to log off and enjoy time with friends and family.
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