Meet Arian Bryant, Transportation’s New Associate Director of Parking Operations
Unsurprisingly, Arian Bryant, Stanford Transportation’s new associate director of Parking Operations, hails from Georgia, the Peach State. The first thing one notices is Arian’s friendly nature and impeccable manners, including “yes ma’am/yes sir,” the terms of respect that Arian says were bequeathed to him by his grandparents when he was young.
Along with his welcoming Southern nature, Arian brings a decade of experience to his role at Stanford, where he will oversee day-to-day parking operations across both campuses. Arian began his career in transportation while working at his alma mater, Valdosta State University. He later worked as a carrier relations manager for UPS, and most recently as Alameda County’s transportation and parking manager, where he implemented the region's License Plate Recognition system.
In his new role, Arian has already immersed himself in the university’s parking study, which will examine how Stanford can be more effective for current needs and future growth opportunities.
Arian commutes daily from his home in Oakland, riding BART and Caltrain to campus. He’s already making the most of Stanford’s transportation-related benefits, including a free Stanford-issued Caltrain GoPass and the option to purchase high-value BART dollars through Edenred.
“I can’t wait to see what results the study brings. Much of what we do in transportation is future tense. My goal is to change the mindset of parking at Stanford. Because parking is a sustainable asset, when we take away spaces, we must subsidize those spaces with sustainable programs to make it an equal exchange.”
Off hours, Arian loves spending time in nature, including hiking new trails. He enjoys joyriding up the coast with his wife, Taylor, and their corgi, Mace. (Taylor’s side of the family has a tradition of naming their dogs after Star Wars characters, and the couple happily followed suit.) Mace is “one of the most awkward, curious corgis I’ve ever had the joy of knowing,” said Arian.
Arian’s dream day would be arriving at Goat Rock Beach in Bodega Bay in time to watch the sunrise. Mace, on the other hand, would choose steep Hill 88, a 1,053-foot climb above Rodeo Beach near Bolinas. Other hikers have marveled as Mace powers up the hill on his stubby legs.
If you see Airan walking on campus, he would appreciate if you said, “Hello and Happy Monday.” (Or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.)
In return, expect to be cast in a ray of Airan’s bright southern shine.
