National Parking Association Names John E. "Jed" Hatfield, CPP, Chairman.

The National Parking Association (NPA) has elected John E. "Jed" Hatfield, CPP, president of Colonial Parking, Inc., of Wilmington, Del., as chairman of the board of directors. Hatfield takes office for a two-year term effective Oct. 12, 2010.

Hatfield will establish the vision, advocacy agenda and professional development of the Association, founded in 1951, and will lead an industry wide effort to elevate business, community, industry and government outreach around the economic and policy issues facing the parking industry today.

Hatfield leads a family-owned business with more than 40 parking facilities, 285 employees and management operations in the Wilmington, Del., and Delaware County and Philadelphia, Pa., areas. He has significant experience with the design and construction review as well as initial implementation of parking control systems, and he has been actively involved in the design, construction and management of several major garages.

"As a business leader, it's a great honor and opportunity to work with the national board, leaders and members of the National Parking Association to bring the best professional development, networking, advocacy and business support available to an industry that's a part of the fabric of our communities," Hatfield said. "NPA, as the leading advocate for the parking industry, is focused on industry growth, tax policy, green business advances, and technological innovation. Our mission is to empower the success of our commercial, public and institutional members through professional development and exceptional member services."

Hatfield has held national Board of Directors roles since 1998. Most recently, he served on the Executive Committee as chair-elect and vice chair. He is a 20-year member of the Association, as is his brother Greg Hatfield. His father, Richard G. "Dick" Hatfield, founded Colonial Parking in 1956 and has been a member of the NPA for more than 50 years, serving as president in 1975-76.

Recognizing the critical link between parking and real estate, Hatfield is also a second vice president of the Committee of 100, an economic development organization in Wilmington, Del.; immediate past chairman of the Transportation Management Association (TMA) of Delaware; co-chair of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation Transportation Working Group; a committee member of the Main Street Wilmington Design Committee; a member of the Commercial-Industrial Realty Council in Wilmington, Del.; and a member of the Urban Land Institute.

He is the founding co-chair of the Crozer-Chester Foundation Professional Group; serves on the Board of Directors of Artisans Bank and Downtown Visions of Wilmington, and is a member of the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club.

Hatfield received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Delaware and earned NPA's pretigious Certified Parking Professional (CPP) designation in 2008.

Hatfield adds, "I thank and congratulate Herb Anderson, past chairman, for his leadership and guidance of the association. I look forward to working with our new President Christine Banning, as well as an exceptional Executive Committee and team of officers." Anderson, chairman and CEO of Royal Parking LLC of New Orleans, moves from chairman to immediate past chairman. 

About The National Parking Association

The National Parking Association (NPA) is a network of companies comprised of parking industry professionals. NPA's mission is to serve as a resource to the parking industry and our members by offering quality education, networking opportunities, products and services.