Michael Malatin started the first Hospital-based parking company in 1996. It became the nation’s largest specialized provider of contracted valet and parking services with over 320 hospitals in 34 states. He initiated service enhancements in patient satisfaction that led to Press, Ganey™ patient satisfaction scores that consistently exceeded the 95th percentile while parking over 20,000,000 cars annually. He developed operational guidelines and procedures to improve service delivery, training, accounting, talent selection, and management processes still used today as an industry benchmark. He sold the Company to ABM (NYSE: ABM) in 2007 and remained President of the 7,000 employee subsidiary until 2011.
For 5 years beginning 2013 and ending 2017, Michael founded and sold Pinnacle Automotive Hospitality Services. Pinnacle is the only company in the US that provides a sophisticated guest service approach to Porter and Support Services, developed strictly for Auto Dealerships.
Michael returned to the parking industry, creating Evolution Parking Systems in 2018. Michael has surrounded himself with a team of experts to fulfill the demands of the industry by providing the most professional approach in parking and hospitality management.
Michael Terry
Senior VP of People
As leader of the People Department, Mike oversees all human-resources functions including Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Talent Development, Compliance and Benefits.
Originally from Kentucky, Mike moved to Tampa Bay shortly after college and began his career in human resources soon after. While beginning his career in publishing he has worked in several other industries including mortgage banking, insurance, hospitality, and retail. Prior to joining Evolution Parking & Guest Services, he worked at Bankers Financial Corporation, a conglomerate of insurance-related businesses headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida where he served as the Vice President of Human Resources. In 2018, Mike helped to found a non-profit membership organization called RNG Tampa Bay with a mission to help bring best practices and collaboration to over 400 in-house recruiters throughout the Tampa Bay Area. He served as the Board Chairman for the first two years of the organization’s existence and has served on the Board every year since in varying capacities.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Jeff Gatt
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff is a dynamic, strategically-focused, and entrepreneurially-minded professional with over 25 years of financial management and operational leadership experience. Jeff’s career consists primarily within senior executive positions in a broad range of industries that include technology, food service and manufacturing. Prior to his career in the private sector, Jeff spent 11+ years as a senior audit and tax advisor with one of the Midwest’s premier accounting firms.
Jeff brings a wealth of business acumen to Evolution after spending a large portion of his career developing and implementing strategic and tactical plans. He is constantly striving towards the development of strategic partnerships with the CEO, senior executive management and third party advisors.
During his career, Jeff has become an expert in the investigation, design, and coordination of projects and programs that boost efficiency and productivity while identifying new avenues of business for the company. He is also a flexible and adaptable start-up champion with proven skills in financial planning, analysis and modeling, organization change and development, decision making, conceptualization, risk management, problem solving, and team and performance management. He has been involved with mergers and acquisitions as well as fund raising initiatives involving banks, angel investors and private equity.
In 2021, the Tampa Bay Business Journal selected Jeff as a CFO of the Year Honoree. This is a testament to his strong leadership, tactical and strategic abilities.
Jeff prides himself on being a team-first guy. Many of the values he holds in great regard that he brings to work every day - honesty, pursuit of personal excellence, respect of others, loyalty, teamwork, humility, dedication, discipline, and leadership - were learned and nurtured during his high school and college years while participating on highly competitive and successful teams.
As such, Jeff loves to coach, teach and mentor. He is a passionate leader, is willing to multitask and work hands-on with the team and takes tremendous pride in leading, coaching and mentoring the staff to bring out their absolute best.
Jeff, originally from Michigan, graduated with honors from Hillsdale College with a B.S. in Accounting. He has been married to his wife Liz for the past 35 years, has two married adult sons and two amazing grandchildren. He loves to read, golf and spend as much time as possible spoiling his grandchildren.
Brooks Ellis
SVP of Operations
Brooks has dedicated nearly 30 years to perfecting the art of leading teams in delivering service excellence in hospitality. Having held senior leadership and advisory board roles in parking management operations and mobility technology firms, he has developed a uniquely holistic perspective on both the operations and mobility solutions segments of the industry.
Brooks has experience leading locations across the nation supporting staff numbered in the thousands, and a developed penchant for incremental improvement overseeing more than 50 projects annually over the past 10 years. Projects varying in scope and facet from in-house compliance to nationwide operational improvement programs and multiple large scale PARCS equipment installs. He has accumulated a wealth of vital experience in successfully executing objectives across multiple disciplines.
Make no mistake about it though, Brooks’ passion for service excellence is imparted into each of these aforementioned roles and has been recognized across the industry including in his appointment to create content for, and to lead training of, the valet ambassador certificate training program for the National Parking Association (NPA).
The principles of servant leadership are core to Brooks’ success, as evidenced by the many roles within various industry associations as a trainer, speaker, peer mentor and committee chair around the country. Additionally, Brooks has earned multiple awards and certificates during his tenure in the industry, including the Certified Parking Professional (CPP) certification from the NPA, the Paradigm award from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA), being recognition as one of the NPA’s 40 under 40 inaugural class, and a long list of performance awards earned through the organizations he’s led.
Julia Granger
Vice President of Talent Acquisition
Julia is a Human Resources professional with over 14 years of experience in dynamic management and multifaceted credentials. A self-starter operating at the intersection of strategic leadership and HR expertise, Julia brings a strong background in business and customer service to the table. She is described as a social personality with a passion for helping people.
Julia is committed to achieving corporate goals and enhancing the candidate experience through quality recruitment and diversity initiatives. She is known for initiating cost-saving strategies and exemplary communication, mentoring, and mediation skills. Her highlights include directing and leading teams, implementing innovative processes, and analyzing data for process optimization.
In her previous role, she went through an IPO and acquisition in less than two years. As the VP of Global Talent Acquisition, she oversaw a global team of recruiters and implemented successful screening processes, resulting in increased hiring and multiple high-ranking awards.
Under her leadership at Evolution, she is implementing talent strategies designed to bolster and support rapid expansion in the most efficient and effective way possible. In addition, she liaises with senior leadership, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure the company’s operational support structure is driving the business forward rapidly.
Originally hailing from Michigan and with family in Ohio, football season is a particularly exciting time in her household.
Briana Pitz
Regional Vice President – Northeast
With over two decades of experience leading businesses in the service industry, Briana boasts a remarkable track record of assembling and guiding high-performing teams dedicated to delivering service excellence and surpassing customer expectations.
Her professional journey spans from Fortune 500 corporations to pioneering startups. Briana possesses the unique ability to execute established playbooks forged by exemplary leaders of the past while also possessing the creative prowess to craft new playbooks for her teams to follow. Briana's unwavering commitment revolves around caring for team members and upholding the customer promise.
Her leadership style is rooted in facilitating team collaboration, instilling a culture of elevated standards and efficiency, and nurturing the development of outstanding leaders capable of steering exceptional teams.
Briana studied Business Management and Economics at the University of North Dakota and was honored as one of National Parking Association’s "40 under 40" achievers.
Kamil Honein
Regional Director of Operations
Kamil Honein is a distinguished figure in the parking and hospitality industry, currently serving as the Regional Director. With a career spanning over 5 years in the parking sector, Kamil brings a wealth of experience and a penchant for excellence to his role.
Prior to Evolution PGS, Kamil made a significant impact as a Catering Director for Sodexo, overseeing dining services and catering operations at the University of Tampa. His leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional service set him apart in this role.
Kamil's remarkable journey from Lebanon to the United States in 2005 culminated in his graduation with a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. This academic achievement serves as a testament to his dedication and ability to thrive in diverse and challenging environments.
Kamil's linguistic versatility is a remarkable asset, as he is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. This proficiency not only showcases his global perspective but also underscores his ability to bridge cultural and linguistic divides in the professional arena.
Kamil's life is a testament to his adventurous spirit and creativity. He is an accomplished sailor, having crossed the Atlantic on a sailboat, a feat that reflects his determination and resilience. In addition, his passion for music shines through as he plays the guitar and piano, inheriting a rich musical tradition from his family. Kamil Honein is a multifaceted professional with a distinguished track record in valet services, parking operations, and catering. His commitment to excellence, combined with his global background and diverse skill set, positions him as a dynamic leader and a valuable asset in any endeavor he undertakes.
Jack Kane
VP of Business Development & Client Solutions
His passion for working with people led him to the hospitality industry, where he now works closely with asset managers and service-oriented leadership teams. In his current role, Jack utilizes his analytical background to deliver profit-maximizing strategies for Evolution’s new and existing partners.
He previously graduated from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business as a varsity letterman, with a BBA in Accounting.
Julia Toole
Accounting Director
Julia joined the team in June 2020 and brings more than 20 years of accounting and leadership experience to her role. She has worked with small businesses, start-ups, and public companies in different industries.
She was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys competing on the field and in the show ring with her Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs.
Crystal Herrera
Staff Accountant
Crystal was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and attended USF. With over 20 years of accounting and business management experience, Crystal holds extensive knowledge with a variety of industries and a particular focus on rapid growing small businesses.
During her free time, she enjoys her beautiful city with kayaking, cycling and visiting the best area beaches.
Sharron Bauer
Learning and Development Manager
As our Learning and Development Manager, Sharron oversees and maintains all learning programs to include the Evolution Academy, Guest Service, Safety, Operations and Quality Assurance. She also facilitates the Crescendo Excellence in Leadership Programs and collaborates with operations teams to identify opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Sharron is a Learning and Development professional with over 15 years’ experience in Adult Learning, Sales and Marketing within the Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Non-profit and Business to Business industries. She most recently worked at Coca Cola Beverages Florida where her responsibilities included Learning Management System (LMS) Administrator, leadership facilitator and e-learning designer. Prior to working with Coke Florida, Sharron was the Adult Learning Manager with Girl Scouts where she managed the LMS and all training design and implementation for 6500 learners within the west central Florida region.
Nicole Abdul
Recruitment Coordinator
Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Health Sciences from the University of South Florida. As a recruitment coordinator, Nicole searches extensively to discover the best talent to join our teams at each location. Her love for helping others and creating meaningful connections fuels her drive to connect top candidates with the next step in their career goals.