Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered EP 47: Collaboration Is Not Optional - What 30 Years in Parking Taught Maggie Vercoe
In this episode of Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered, host Brian Wolff sits down with Maggie Vercoe, COO of TEZ Technology and a 30-year veteran of the parking industry.
From starting in a parking booth at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee to helping build T2 Systems during its high-growth years - and now leading professional services, support, account management, and marketing at TEZ - Maggie shares the leadership lessons that shaped her journey.
This conversation dives deep into adaptive leadership, managing complex implementations, staying calm in conflict, and why collaboration isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a survival skill in parking.
Key Takeaways from this Episode:
Adaptive Leadership Is Non-Negotiable:
There’s no such thing as one leadership style. The best leaders flex between servant, democratic, transformational, transactional, and even autocratic styles depending on the situation and the people involved.
Collaboration Drives Culture:
Maggie believes collaboration is the engine behind high-performing teams. Breaking down silos - especially between client-facing departments - is essential for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Complex Projects Require Grit and Structure:
Successful implementations hinge on change management, clear expectations, strong project ownership, and customer buy-in. Without those, even the best technology can struggle.
Calm Is a Leadership Superpower:
From handling parking ticket appeals to managing executive-level conflict, Maggie shares why staying centered under pressure often determines the outcome.
Parking Is Bigger Than People Think:
Over three decades, Maggie has seen the industry evolve from hanging meters and coin payments to mobile apps and AI-driven systems - and she believes the next wave of innovation will further transform the customer experience.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Meet Maggie Vercoe – COO of TEZ Technology and 30-year parking veteran
[00:02:00] From parking booth to T2 Systems: the unexpected career path
[00:04:00] Building culture at T2 – what made it special
[00:06:30] Why “being present” is the secret ingredient of leadership
[00:11:00] Handling conflict at the counter – lessons in staying calm
[00:14:00] Adaptive leadership: the six styles every leader should know
[00:19:00] Managing client-facing departments without silos
[00:23:00] Why Maggie loves complex implementations
[00:24:45] The biggest mistakes organizations make during major rollouts
[00:28:30] Women in Parking, Allyship, and industry leadership
[00:33:00] Technology trends – AI, mobile, and the evolution of customer experience
[00:35:00] What’s new at TEZ – platform upgrades and a major valet innovation at DFW
[00:39:00] Lightning Round – collaboration, brisket, and eliminating parking meters
Notable Quotes:
“If you have one leadership style, you’re probably not a very good leader.”
“You almost want to be ignored in parking. If you’re being ignored, it means you’re doing a good job.”
“You have to be comfortable in the uncomfortable to get to what’s on the other side.”
About Maggie Vercoe:
Maggie Vercoe is the Chief Operating Officer at TEZ Technology, where she oversees professional services, support, account management, and marketing. With over 30 years in the parking and mobility industry, Maggie began her career at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee before joining T2 Systems in 1999, where she helped shape customer experience and organizational growth during a pivotal era in parking technology.
Maggie is actively involved in industry leadership initiatives, including IPMI’s Allyship Committee, Women in Parking, Women in Technology, and the National Parking Association Board of Directors.
Connect with Parker Technology:
Delivering exceptional customer experiences is what we do best. Learn more at www.parkertechnology.com or email us at getstarted@parkertechnology.com.