Raul Galvez: Driven. Supportive. Respectful. A Leader Who Elevates People And Performance

Spotlight Parking Professional: Raul Galvez 

I often search through the “40 under 40” NPA awards to find my next Parking Professional Spotlight interviewee.  This award recognizes young professionals who have contributed significantly to the parking industry and demonstrated strong leadership.  After sharing the list with my team, our Project Manager Leigh Thomas said that she had met Raul Galvez at a convention and had been impressed by him.  So, I connected with Raul, and I’d love to share his story with you.   

Raul works for ACE Parking as their Regional Director of Operations in Houston, Texas.   He is a seasoned parking executive who is committed to operational excellence.  His leadership style is defined by integrity, adaptability, and a genuine investment in developing others.   

Beginnings 

Originally from Panama City, Panama, Raul moved to Texas about 20 years ago and began working retail jobs until he applied for a part-time valet job.  It was a great opportunity while attending school at the University of Houston, where he was pursuing a degree in Business Management.  I laughed when I heard he began as a valet because he is one of many with the same story.  He remembers, “…I never imagined it would become my career, but it has been an incredible journey.” 

Starting in 2009, Raul moved up quickly at ACE, from Lead Supervisor to Assistant Parking Manager, to Site Manager, then Area Manager, Director of Operations, and then Regional Director of Operations.   His focus now is on fostering strong client relationships and ensuring operational excellence across Texas, with locations ranging from Abilene to South Padre, and primarily Houston. His role centers on driving performance through strong operational leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with both internal teams and clients. He also identifies growth opportunities with existing and prospective partners to support sustainable growth for ACE. 

Leadership 

When asked what personal qualities have been the most important to his journey, he answered, “I strongly believe in treating people with respect.”  He added that he works diligently to be courteous, honor commitments, actively listen, and remember important details about those he interacts with.  This approach has allowed him to build strong, meaningful relationships with both his team and clients over the years, and it continues to be the foundation of how he leads today.  

Raul works hard to encourage his team and believes there is “no one-size-fits-all approach to motivating a team.”  He strives to consider each team member’s goals – whether it’s work-life balance, learning, or volunteering for extra tasks to support their professional development.  Once he understands what motivates them, it becomes easier to engage the team, sometimes through feedback or recognition for a job well done, and at other times through friendly competition. He believes, “When people feel understood, motivation comes more naturally.”    

Like Tim Maloney and Stuart Robb (January/February Spotlights), Raul also focuses on team members who are eager to advance their careers and ensures they have the tools they need to succeed.  He intentionally dedicates time to help them grow and develop as leaders.  “Having worked my way up from a valet position to this role, I understand firsthand what that growth path looks like and what support is needed along the way.”  Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of promoting more than 15 managers. Supporting their growth and development is something he truly enjoys. 

Professional Growth 

Professionally, he enjoys actively engaging with networking organizations and industry events. Early in his career, he tended to stay focused on his immediate role and responsibilities, connecting with his ACE Team and GMs, AGMs, etc. Placing himself in networking environments pushed him to engage with people outside of his day-to-day work and across industries. Professionally, this has opened doors to new opportunities, perspectives, and partnerships he may not have encountered otherwise. Because of this, he recently accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors of the Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH). While this role is new to Raul, it represents a meaningful step forward, allowing him to contribute his experience, support the hospitality community, and continue growing professionally. 

Raul actively keeps pace with industry trends and fresh solutions, recognizing this as key to his impact, helping ACE remain relevant and deliver the best outcomes for its clients. He regularly reads industry news, LinkedIn articles, and newsletters such as TPN’s, and he is always open to meeting vendors to learn about new tools and solutions. He believes this proactive approach is “fundamental to staying ahead in the industry and delivering the best results for our partners and clients.” 

Overcoming

Early in his current role, Raul faced a significant setback when he lost an account during a renegotiation.  At the time, he hadn’t had the opportunity to build a strong relationship with the client, and that ultimately became the challenge.  The client made it clear that their decision was not a reflection of ACE’s service performance; it stemmed from a strategic shift within their asset management group and evolving goals. While that was reassuring to hear, it did not lessen the impact of losing the account. It became a turning point for him, prompting him to reflect on his approach. He realized that although his team had delivered strong results, building a deeper relationship earlier would have positioned him in the conversation before decisions were made, better equipped to anticipate where the client was heading.  That experience significantly shaped his leadership approach. Today, while delivering exceptional service and strong financial performance remains essential, he places greater emphasis on proactive relationship management. He prioritizes understanding his clients’ evolving goals and staying in step with their expectations.  He's intentional about being a strategic partner rather than simply a service provider.  

On The Personal Side 

Parking has been good to Raul in many ways – he met his wife nine years ago while managing the parking operations of a mixed-use facility, where she was the store manager of one of the shops.  He also loves playing and watching soccer, and you can usually find him doing one or the other at least once a week. He and his wife love to travel - their most recent adventure was to Sydney, Australia, which they loved.  He enjoys living in Houston because of its diversity and incredible food scene.  “You can find cuisine from just about anywhere in the world, and it truly reflects the people who live here. And of course, there’s the Southern hospitality which makes it feel like home.”  

Kim’s Conclusion 

It has been so interesting for me to talk with people in different sectors of parking and consistently hear these three pieces of advice: 

1. Lead with respect and tailor motivation to the individual.

2. Invest in your network and industry involvement. 

3. Be proactive in client relationships for long-term success.   

Parking newbie, take note!   I think this is great advice at work, with friends, and in your home.   

Thank you, Raul, for taking the time to share your story so we can learn from you and your work in parking!   We hope to meet again at another parking event!