Location: Bethesda, MD
Role: Sr Facility Manager

For this edition of On the Spot, we caught up with James Jones, one of the rock-solid operators behind Vend Park’s day-to-day success. Based out of Bethesda, James is the kind of person who thrives under pressure, fixes problems before they become problems, and keeps things running smoothly—often in the background. We sat down with him to learn more about what brought him to Vend, his goals, and what he’s binge-watching when he’s not troubleshooting gate arms.

What brought you to Vend?
I was drawn to Vend because of the genuine focus on innovation and customer experience. Those aren’t always things you find in the parking industry, and that made Vend stand out. The company is tech-driven and always looking to improve every aspect of the parking experience—from how customers sign up to how they enter and exit. I saw an opportunity to bring my skills to a team that’s forward-thinking and dedicated to making parking more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation, without a doubt. Being able to instantly get from one place to another? That would save so much time and stress. Plus, with how fast things move in operations, being everywhere at once wouldn’t hurt.

What are your goals for the next few months—and beyond?
In the short term, I’m focused on sharpening my technical and administrative skills. I’m digging into the monthly reporting process, getting more hands-on with parking equipment—cameras, gate arms, Nest systems—you name it. I’m also working on becoming more active in issuing invoices, just building confidence and precision there.

Longer term, I’m thinking about growth—for myself and for Vend. I want to help expand our portfolio, lead a go-live in a new state, and be part of building out the team through hiring and internal development. One goal I’m especially excited about is launching a mentorship program to help attendants level up their knowledge—not just on the systems, but in soft skills like client communication and follow-ups. I’d love to eventually step into high-level responsibilities, like representing Vend in strategic conversations.

What’s one thing you wish people knew about your job?
People don’t always see how much problem-solving goes into this role. It’s not just about parking spaces or gates—it’s equipment, customer issues, vendor coordination, and even safety or legal challenges. Sometimes all at once. You’ve got to be calm under pressure and able to think on your feet. There’s a lot of strategy behind the scenes to make things look seamless on the surface.

What’s the last song you listened to? What are you watching or reading these days?
I’ve been on a survival show kick lately—Forged in Fire, Man at Arms, and Dual Survival are my go-to’s right now. I love that mix of craftsmanship, history, and survival skills. It’s just dope to watch people adapt and create under pressure.

Want to join a team where every day is different and problem-solving is the name of the game? Check out open roles at Vend: www.vendpark.io/careers

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