After heated debate, supervisors pick ACE Parking to run John Wayne Airport lots

After an extended public hearing and a series of exchanges about scoring, lobbying and experience, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 to award the John Wayne Airport parking management and shuttle services contract to ACE Parking.

ACE Parking President Steve Burton told the board the company would bring a reservation system "at no cost to the airport," expanded data analytics and plans to use electric‑vehicle shuttles. ACE executives also highlighted ACDBE participation in their bid. LAZ representatives — the incumbent operator — emphasized continuity, staffing stability and their local investment; LAZ’s general manager said the company proposed additional staff to match pre‑pandemic service levels.

Board discussion focused on the evaluation process. Chair Wagner criticized ACE for an aggressive advocacy posture and raised issues about an outlier technical score from a single panelist; Supervisor Do and others pressed staff to ensure scoring transparency. Supervisor Foley, who led detailed review of proposals, supported the staff recommendation, citing ACE's technology and EV readiness and saying the winning proposal was within budget and would generate revenue for airport deferred maintenance. Supervisor Jaffe abstained; the motion carried 4–1.

What changed: The airport will start transition planning under ACE’s contract terms; supervisors said they will monitor performance closely and expect the vendor to keep promises made at the dais about not returning for extra funds and implementing EV solutions.

Direct quote: ACE’s John Zampari said the company looks forward to "bringing my knowledge, my customer focus to the John Wayne parking contract." Supervisor Foley said staff had provided "pages and pages of questions...charts, comparisons" in vetting proposals.