Andy Van Horn (left) chats with Eric Abel at PT’s headquarters in Los Angeles. Abel will be taking the position of Marketing and Operations Director at Parking Today when Andy Van Horn returns to academia in a few months.

Abel comes to PT from five years as Marketing Manager with Honeywell International, six years as Group Marketing Director with VNU (now Nielsen) Expositions, and nine years as Operations Director/Sales Manager with Walter Fletcher-ASD/ trade publications.

Abel will be heading PT’s operations and marketing activity, with a focus on expanding the company’s Parking Industry Exhibition (PIE) and leading the magazine into broader markets that serve the parking industry. His background in technology, web design and use of multimedia will be put to use as Parking Today enters its 18th year. His activities will support Advertising Director Marcy Sparrow.

“We will miss Andy. He has been a great asset to PT and our holding company, Bricepac Inc., but he should follow his first love – education,” said his father, PT Publisher John Van Horn. “Andy has become a well-known member of the parking community.

“Eric brings exactly the background and skills we need to take our company to its natural next step,” the senior Van Horn continued. “We are most fortunate to have met him at the precise moment when he was available. It’s a perfect match.”

Andy Van Horn had worked nine years in elementary and secondary education before his five-year stint with Parking Today. He is returning to an administrative position in secondary education, where his degrees combined with his background in the private sector will be put to good use.

Andy Van Horn can be reached for the next few months at andy@parkingtoday.com. Abel’s email is eric@parkingtoday.com.