RICK WARNER:
 
RICK WARNER




 
 
 
 
 
Founder and CEO, ParkingCarma in Flint. Warner has guided new businesses and products to market for more than 20 years. ParkingCarma uses wireless sensors and interfaces to process parking information from off-street parking facilities and then distributes it to drivers and local organizations. Operating as an entrepreneur in corporate environments and start-up environments, Warner has worked in the aerospace, transportation, marine, renewable energy, applied industrial materials, and the wireless Internet fields. Warner was named a 2000 Computerworld Smithsonian Laureate for his efforts, along with colleagues at Action Engine, in developing a consumer-oriented mobile-services platform. Prior to Action Engine, he trained and worked with industry leaders such as Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hexcel, British Telecom, Palm, General Motors, and Paccar. Over the years, Warner has aided the launch of new types of aircraft, new Class 8 trucks, high performance cars, user-friendly software, and renewable energy turbines. He serves on the Transportation Research Board‘s New Transportation Systems and Technology committee. Warner received his MBA from the University of Washington in Seattle and bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He holds a U.S.C.G. Captain’s License and sails out of San Francisco Bay and the Great Lakes.


WHERE BORN: "Florida, and I was raised in Marine City, Michigan."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "Both my mother and my father; they really taught me how to work hard. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago and taught me to work powerfully with adversity. At the professional level, I’m intrigued by Al Gore and sticking to his guns about his beliefs and the environment. Also, Ed Baird, who just won the America’s Cup as the U.S. skipper of the Swiss entry. His focus, dedication, and precision are amazing."

LAST BOOK READ: "There’s always a pile of them at work. One is The Competitive Advantage of Nations by Michael Porter, An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore and 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes by David Perry."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Purposeful, creative, patient, honest, open, and fun."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "With the current and continued trend of congestion in major metro areas, and especially at events trying to park and with the mobile computing trend increasing, ITS (intelligent transportation systems) are positioned to apply technology to make people’s lives better and more convenient in the near term."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "Garman navigation tools. I use their technology in marine applications. They take a complex set of data, making them very useful."

FAVORITE PLACE: "I really like to travel but if I have to pick, the Puget Sound and the Great Lakes in the summertime."

FAVORITE HOBBY: "Sailing and specifically cruising around the oceans (longhaul) and competitive racing."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Good all-American steak."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "Photography. I like the process of finding an image and bringing it to life."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "In all aspects of life -- family, friends, and work -- to be seen as constructive and engaging"

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2009, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.