The parking industry recently lost a parking pioneer and industry leader. James Hardy Bond, passed away on July 30 after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Bond was born in Chicago on June 2, 1942 and later moved to Scottsville, KY where he attended high school. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His business career began with the Kentucky State Highway Department before being called into military service in 1967. Mr. Bond earned his Master’s Degree in Engineering Management in 1969 from Vanderbilt University. Upon graduation, he took a position Commerce Union Bank in Nashville.

In 1971 Mr. Bond joined Central Parking System as a Regional Vice President in St. Louis, launching his 41-year career in the parking industry. Just 10 years later he was appointed as Central Parking System’s Chief Operating Officer, which took him back to Nashville. He was named Central Parking’s President in 1990 and took the company public in 1995, trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Under Mr. Bond’s direction, Central Parking expanded to 4,500 locations in 120 cities and 14 countries, as well as overseeing the acquisition of several companies including Allright Parking. He continued working for Central Parking as an Executive Vice President until his retirement in 2012, and advised executives on the merger between Central Parking System and Standard Parking Corporation.

Mr. Bond was widely respected in the parking industry, serving as friend and mentor to many in the industry. His sophisticated presence and humble mentality demonstrated his high level of professionalism. As a testament to his legacy, SP Plus Corporation has named its new Nashville operations support office in his honor.

He also served as a board member for various prestigious organizations including, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, National Parking Association, Central Parking System, Nashville Downtown Partnership and the Tennessee Repertory Theater.

Mr. Bond is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gwendolyn Crow Bond; sons, Paul (and Suzanne) Bond, Andrew (and Libby) Bond and daughter, Emily. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Alex, Cooper, Lucy, Watts and Jake. He is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Watts Bond, and his mother, Harriet Virginia Harper Bond.

Memorial services were held in Nashville in early August.