Celebrating Perry Eggleston: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation in Transportation Services

After years of impactful leadership, Perry Eggleston, Executive Director of UC Davis Transportation Services, is heading into retirement.

Eggleston joined Transportation Services in January 2020 with a clear mission: to challenge the status quo. 

“I was hired as a disruptor,” he recalled. “Day one, when I mentioned daily choice, I had glassy eyes from a lot of the team. But over time, they jumped on board and now they have pride in it.”

One of Eggleston’s most transformative initiatives was introducing daily parking rates, a bold shift he referred to as “inverting the parking paradigm.” Previously, commuters had to pay upfront for monthly or annual permits, regardless of how often they actually parked. Under the new model, parking became pay-as-you-go. “Instead of paying for parking in advance, whether you use it or not, you only pay on the days you actually park,” he explained. The move helped support commuters’ evolving needs during the pandemic and also allowed Transportation Services to better manage campus congestion by adjusting demand through pricing.

To support this new approach, Eggleston helped implement AggiePark via the AMP Park app and License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. Together, these tools created a more flexible parking system for users, streamlined enforcement, and supported UC Davis’ broader sustainability goals by reducing waste and encouraging more intentional vehicle use.

That same commitment to sustainability was behind the launch of SPIN, the university’s bike-share program. SPIN provides students, staff, and visitors with affordable access to electric-assist bikes for traveling around campus and the city of Davis. The program has become an integral part of campus life and supports UC Davis’ goals for low-emission commuting.

Eggleston also supported creative solutions to campus challenges, including a food drive that allowed individuals to donate canned goods in exchange for waiving citation fees. “It was a win-win situation,” Eggleston said. “It helped people be responsible, supported our food pantry, and allowed us to clear citations.” 

Looking ahead, Eggleston saw micromobility, including the rising use of electric scooters and other small vehicles on campus, as both an opportunity and a challenge. He led cross-campus collaborations with UC Davis Police, Fire, and Student Affairs to address safety concerns and develop strategies for integrating micromobility into campus life.

Eggleston has also laid the groundwork for future innovation at the UC Davis Airport. He advocated for stronger ties between Transportation Services and campus research, envisioning the airport as a valuable site for collaboration with aeronautics and engineering programs. “We’ve been working for years to create partnerships that connect the airport to the academic mission of the university,” he said. “It’s a slow process, but we’ve put things in motion.”

After more than three decades in the industry, Eggleston is leaving with confidence, a feeling he attributes to the dedication of his team. 

“All my ideas could have been great, but without anybody implementing them, they would have meant nothing,” he said. “I’ve never worked with a better team than I have worked here. I'm very proud of who they are, what they’ve accomplished, and what they’ll continue to do after I leave.”

As he prepares for retirement, Eggleston and his wife are relocating to Kentucky to be closer to family and to enjoy a slower pace of life. While he’s stepping away from leadership, he’s exploring opportunities to continue helping others through consulting work, on his own schedule.

Perry Eggleston’s career at UC Davis reflects leadership, innovation, and dedication, a legacy that will continue to guide Transportation Services' future endeavors. 

Transportation Services will be co-led by Bryce Council and Linda Braak, reporting to AVC Eric Kvigne, while recruitment for Executive Director is underway.