WELCOME TO HOUGHTON CONSULTANTS
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Thanks for visiting my website. I have worked in the parking industry for over 30 years working in various positions, such as system development, marketing and sales, account management, proposal writing, and even creating an RFP for clients. As consultant, I have been providing various roles to help clients achieve the most from their program. Whatever changes you’re hoping to make or goals you’re trying to achieve, I’ll provide you with sound advice and guidance every step of the way.
Take a look around and see all that I can do for you today.
MY SERVICES
My overall goal will be to focus on the immediate needs required to achieve a successful program and provide a positive customer experience, which is the single most important factor for an organization to achieve business success
REVIEW AND STRATEGIZING
A Comprehensive Approach
My clients are my number one priority, and I’ll go the extra mile to make sure they’re completely satisfied with my work. My services are designed to tackle even the most complex projects.
- Review current program
- Suggest best practices
- Confirm mandated requirements are met
Contact me today to discuss how I can help.
IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
Expert Guidance
This specific service is designed to analyze, challenge, and work towards solving and improving your business needs. I provide customized proposals to meet the particular needs of the client. I will work with you throughout the entire decision-making process.
- Implementation needs assessments
- Address immediate and long term milestones
- Review concerns or problems
- Review implementation strategies
The ultimate goal is to implement solutions, find solid partnerships, and work in a timely manner to meet short and long term goals.
Let's discuss projects and goals.
Contact me today and let's get together to create a successful project .
ABOUT ME
Here to help you reach a productive program and streamline your process
MARY HOUGHTON 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE
Mary began her career in Parking Citation Management at a time when parking was a criminal offense. During her tenure, Mary worked with municipalities and Universities (Higher Education Institutes); while coordinating as a liaison with the local courts. This was a time of conflict; Municipalities struggling to collect outstanding debts while the courts were frustrated with long lines of people contesting parking tickets.
In the late 1990s, Mary joined a team of colleagues in an effort to decriminalize parking, still referred to as the infamous Assembly Bill ‘AB408”. The goal would drastically change how we did business, gaining complete control for the local parking agencies, substantially increase revenues but this would require the parking agencies (clients) to manage the entire structure and create efficient methodologies for new responsibilities and in some cases unknown tasks.
The endeavor was extensive and tedious and under the leadership of Tim Yaryan (CPPA Lobbyist) and Jay Carsman. After over a year of planning, proposing and changes the bill was passed and the change in parking would begin. The most immediate undertaking was for local parking agencies to manage the process of ‘contesting’ parking tickets. Mary established the methodologies, processes and procedures for her company (internally) and in many cases externally for her clients. As a courtesy she also taught her approach and methods to other agencies in an effort to help streamline the process throughout the state.
During her career Mary would manage for new sales, marketing, client presentations and contract negotiations. She was ultimately successful with creating new business for her company from a startup company to providing services to over 200 accounts and more than two million citations within the first five years of business.
Mary was also an active member of the software development team for parking management. She guided the development from a customer’s perspective with consistency, ease and logical system flow. She would also work with the team with the implementation of new legislation as it relates to software modifications and procedural changes.
With 200 accounts and two million citations to oversee Mary successfully structured a program for customer service with the methodology, accuracy and attention to details that would ensure client needs and many times exceeding client expectations.
Mary created customer procedural manuals internally and externally created a process to streamline implementation and data conversion for new clients. Mary's main goal was to ensure the success of the program from contract to a successful implementation and complete customer satisfaction.
Mary is also a member of the California Public Parking Association and manages the Association’s website and is a member of the Legislation Committee. Mary was proud to be awarded the Professional of the Year Award in 1990 and the President’s Award in 2012.
"Mary is very skilled at approaching business challenges with solutions that benefit the internal and external customer. Her knowledge of systems and business processes give her the ability to suggest best practices that quickly improve operations and annual revenues. Mary does such a good job for customers and what impressed me the most is that she was always willing to help even when I was not a direct customer. She cares about the industry and not only self-interests. She will always get a great reference from me!"
Marlene Cramer, CAPP
Associate Director, Transportation and Parking Services
University Police Department
Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, California
Marlene Cramer
I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mary for 15 years. She is one of the first people I met in the industry and still the most knowledgeable. She is the Subject Matter Expert when it comes to establishing efficient operational procedures for parking agencies. Mary is a problem solver. She is skilled at defining the issue at hand and working collaboratively to bring effective solutions to bear. Above all else, Mary is customer focused. She educates, supports and advocates for her clients, going the extra mile to ensure their success.
Tim Maginn,
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
T2 Systems
"I have known Mary my entire career in the public parking industry; and as a client I have relied on her expertise on many projects. Mary is customer service focused and solution oriented. She is highly regarded in the profession."
Joe Ferrer
Senior Director, Parking & Transportation, Events and Facilities Use
California State University, Fullerton
“I have known Mary since the 1990’s to be the consummate expert in the state with the nation’s largest number and most complex parking authorities (California). She was an invaluable resource to me during my 24 years of parking management responsibilities for the City of Newport Beach and continues to be in my revenue consultation services to government. Mary’s knowledge, 25+ years of developing relationships with parking industry professionals and integrity distinguish Mary in this industry.”
Glen Everroad, Glen Everroad Consulting Inc.
Mary brings “excellence” to any parking program she is involved with. Her range of knowledge and industry contacts are second to none. She is current and up to date on industry best practices including technology, legislation, parking enforcement, and many more. She is easy to work with and able to make recommendations for improvements to any parking program, regardless of size. Getting Mary involved with your organization is the first step in taking your parking program to the next level.
Tad Dombroski
Parking Manager, City of Glendale
Mary Houghton is the best example of the 80/20 rule or the law of the vital few that I have encountered. Basically this rule is 80% of the work is done by 20% of the workers. Mary works harder than anyone I know and gets more done than anyone I know. She is creative, dependable, and gets results. She can focus on details as well as the big picture which makes her a vital resource for any parking project
Robert Horch
Retired Parking Manager from CSU Los Angeles and City of San Luis Obispo
Mary Houghton is an experienced executive with extensive parking industry, state and municipal codes experience. She has developed and implemented process improvement solutions and customer service practices for her previous employers that have set her apart as a subject matter expert in her field. She is a solutions oriented professional that seeks challenges and opportunities for growth. As a colleague for more than fourteen years I have witnessed her professionalism, dedication and commitment to her colleagues and everyone she works which make her a model of integrity. Mary has dedicated countless hours to the parking industry through her volunteer work with the Board of Directors of the California Parking Association that have resulted in many of the best practices adopted by her numerous municipal clients.
Jackie Rocco
City of West Hollywood
CONTACT ME
