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K-State Today

June 30, 2017

Parking Services Director Darwin Abbott retiring

Submitted by Cindy Bontrager

Darwin "Ace" Abbott recently announced his retirement effective June 30. Abbott has served as the director of Parking Services for 20 years.

Serving as director of Parking Services certainly has its challenges and it can be trying serving the needs of students, faculty and staff. With Abbott's leadership, the university's parking and transportation operations have improved significantly during his service. During Abbott's time as director, the university constructed a 1,300-stall parking garage, which opened in 2010. Customers are able to enter the parking garage using their K-State parking permit similar to the K-Tag system on the Kansas Turnpike. Abbott also was instrumental in implementing a system to allow for the purchase of parking permits online and supporting the Park 'n' Ride shuttle system and routes.

Abbott has established positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff and the community. He supported shared governance and worked alongside the Parking Council in managing parking services. His leadership, loyalty to K-State and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.

Prior to his time at K-State, Abbott served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force where he worked on the Air Force One hanger.

Jeff Barnes, a long time parking services employee, will serve as the interim director of Parking Services until a permanent replacement is hired. Barnes began working in Parking Services as a safety and security officer in 1998. Since his promotion to assistant director of Parking Services in 2004, Barnes has worked closely with Abbott to manage daily operations and long-term planning. A national search to name a new director will begin over the summer.

Cards and notes of congratulations for Abbott may be sent in care of Tara Fronce, Administration and Finance, 105 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 or emailed directly to Abbott at darwin@k-state.edu.