2025 Regional Meeting INFORMATION
Table of Contents
1-3 Region 1 & 2, Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, January 28-30, 2025
4-6 Region 3 & 5, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE, September 7-9, 2025
7-9 Region 4, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS, November 16-18, 2025
10-12 Region 6, Marion Community College, Ocala, FL, October 19-21, 2025
13-16 Region 7, Cecil College, North East, MD, September 18-19, 2025 Page
PimaCommunityCollege
Region 1 & 2
January 28-30, 2025
Region 1 & 2 is planning on a reception on Wednesday, January 28 at 5 p.m.; with a full day of presentations and networking Thursday, January 29; followed by a half day of the same on Friday, January 30. Please see a draft of the agenda in this Learning Curve.
Pima Community College is hoping that everyone will take a ‘warm’ break and join us. Also, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, which is the world’s largest gem show, is happening during these meetings. Hope to see you there!
PimaCommunityCollege
Region 1 & 2 Meeting
Hosted by Pima Community College 6575 S Country Club Rd
Tucson, AZ 85756
January 28-30, 2026
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
5:00 p.m. Reception
Thursday, January 29, 2026
8:00 – 8:30 Registration/Networking
8:30 – 8:45 Welcome and Introductions ~ Missy Blair
8:45 – 9:45 NAPFTDS Updates ~ Martin Garsee, Executive Director
9:45 – 10:45 CDL Updates
10:45 – 11:00 Break/Vendor
11:00 – 12:00 Session - TBD ~
12:00 – 1:15 Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 Autonomous Technology Conversation: Where we’ve been, where we are, where we are going …
2:15 – 3:30 Industry Issues – Open Discussion ~ Missy Blair, Facilitator
3:30 – 4:00 Question and Answer - Wrap up for the day 5:00 Dinner
Friday, January 30, 2026
8:30 – 9:30 Session - TBD
9:30 – 11:00 Open Industry Discussion
11:00 – 11:30 Wrap up / Closing Thoughts
Agenda is subject to change by Pima Community College.
Sponsors
Region 1 & 2
Region 3 & 5 Meeting
Hosted by Metropolitan Community College
September 7-9, 2025
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Omaha, Nebraska invites you to the Region 3 & 5 Annual Conference September 7th – 9th .
We will start off taking some time catching up with old friends and making new friends with a social hour or two Sunday night September 7th at the Courtyard Omaha/LaVista with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar from 6 pm to 8 pm.
On Monday morning, MCC will provide transportation from the Courtyard Hotel to our Fort Omaha Campus where we will have a light, but delicious breakfast at our state-of-the-art Institute for Culinary Arts. We will continue after breakfast with a presentation from one of MCC’s finest instructors on what other skills our students need to be successful in the transportation business besides driving skills. Bellevue University’s Director of the Military Veteran Services Center, JR Richardson will visit with us about some of the struggles our brave veterans face when hitting the road. He will be giving us ideas on how to better prepare them. He will be bringing with him a nutrition specialist that will give us ideas on how to keep our students healthy once they begin their careers. The Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division will be lending us their own Sgt Matt Guzman who has a fairly unique perspective from the state side of things having served over 10 years with the division. He currently ensures the data quality of inspections and crash records involving commercial motor vehicles and he receives ALL of the states DataQ’s so he is will versed on the things that happen in Nebraska and fields questions from Troopers and people in the industry on current guidance from FMCSA and CVSA. You will also get to meet and hear from Nebraska’s own Kent Grishom, President of the Nebraska Trucking Association.
We will wrap things up on Monday with a quick tour of MCC’s Applied Technology Center which houses the CDL Program. After a short bus trip back to the hotel, get ready for something a little bit different. We will be dining at the Smash Park! There will be a laid-back dinner with an impressive taco bar and a lot of fun with axe throwing and darts.
On Tuesday, we will be transported to Werner Enterprises for a presentation from the ATA and a viewing of their Workforce Heros truck and trailer.
See you in September!!!
Lodging: Courtyard Omaha/LaVista, 12560 Westport Pkwy, LaVista, NE 68128 $105/night
Link to Hotel: Book your group rate for NAPFTDS Conference 2025 Group code: NAP
If prefer to call hotel, please use 402-339-4900 and reference the NAP code
REGION 3 & 5 MEETING
Hosted by Metropolitan Community College September 7-9, 2025
(Agenda is Subject to change by MCC)
Sunday, September 7, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Welcome Meet & Greet Social (Courtyard Omaha/LaVista, 12560 Westport Pkwy)
Monday, September 8, 2025
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Transportation from Courtyard Omaha/LaVista to Metropolitan Com College Fort Campus (5370 N. 30 St Bldg. 22 Omaha, NE 68111)
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast at the Institute for Culinary Arts at MCC
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Meeting Kickoff and Intro from MCC
~ Scott Broady, Dean of Skilled Trades & Technical Sciences
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. How Learning Works for CDL Students (Soft skills and professional skills)-MCC Instructor
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. BREAK / VENDORS
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Nutritional & Physical Health of Tomorrow’s Drivers-Bellevue University Professor
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Veterans in Trucking (Mental Health, Anxiety, PTSD, Disabilities)
~ JR Richardson, PMA, CPSWS
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.Lunch at the Institute for Culinary Arts @ MCC
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement (State Patrol, FMCSA, CVSA info)
~ Sgt Matt Guzman
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Nebraska Trucking Association
~ Kent Grishom
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. NAPFTDS Update
~ Martin Garsee/Rob Behnke
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Transportation to MCC’s Applied Technology Center (10407 State St, Omaha, NE 68122)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tour Applied Technology Center
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Transportation to Hotel
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Dinner at the The Smash Park (8121 S. 125st LaVista, NE 68128)
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
7:45 – 8:00 a.m. Transportation to Werner Enterprises (14507 Frontier Rd, Omaha, NE 68128)
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast & Networking at Werner
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. ATA Workforce Heroes
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Tour Werner Enterprises
12:00 – 12:15 p.m. Farewell and Transportation back to the Hotel
Sponsors
Region 3 & 5
Region 4 Meeting
Hosted by Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210 November 16 18, 2025
”Join us this November in Overland Park for the NAPFTDS Region 4 Meeting hosted by Johnson County Community College. Connect with other programs in the region, see old friends, share ideas, and learn what’s new in the industry. You can look forward to great food, informative sessions, and a fun atmosphere in the heart of the Midwest.”
LODGING: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kansas City/Overland Park 10100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
Cost is $145 a night and breakfast is included. Block deadline is October 20, 2025 Link https://group.doubletree.com/5daijh
Region 4 Meeting
Hosted by Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
LODGING: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kansas City/Overland Park 10100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
November 16-18, 2025
Sunday, November 16, 2025
6:00-8:00 pm Meet & Greet Reception at DoubleTree, 10100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS
Monday, November 17, 2025
7:30-8:00 Breakfast at DoubleTree
8:00-8:15 Transportation to JCCC
8:15-9:00 Welcome and Introductions Kick off
~ Nick Gonzalez
9:00-9:30 NAPFTDS Update
~ Martin Garsee, Executive Director & Director, HCCS, Houston, TX
9:30-10:00 Vendor Recognition
~ Nick Gonzalez
10:00-10:15 Break and Vendors
10:15-10:45 KMCA Presentation
~
10:45-12:00 FMCSA Presentation
12:00-1:00 Lunch provided by JCCC Catering
1:00-2:00 KDOR State CDL officials
~
2:00-2:15 Break and Vendors
2:15-3:15 Johnson County Community College CDL Facility Tour
3:15-4:15 Industry Tour TBD
4:15-5:00 Transportation
6:00 p.m. Reception and Dinner (KC Joe’s BBQ – The 180 Room, 11944 S. Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062)
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
8:30-9:30 Breakfast at DoubleTree
9:30-9:45 Transportation to JCCC
9:45-11:00 NextGen Trucking 11:00 Wrap up and Farewell
Agenda is subject to change by Johnson County Community College.
Sponsors Region 4
Region 6 Meeting
October 19-21, 2025
Marion Technical College will host the Region 6 meeting of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS), bringing together CDL educators and industry partners from across the region.
The event will focus on key updates to FMCSA regulations, instructional best practices, and strategies to meet the increasing demand for skilled professional drivers. Attendees will collaborate on curriculum development, student engagement techniques, and effective training methods to enhance classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
The meeting will also emphasize the importance of safety compliance and explore new ways to prepare students for both CDL testing and real-world driving challenges.
Comfort Inn, 1212 S Pine Ave, Ocala ,FL
352-629-7300
Room Rate Single rate $112.23
Double rate $117.41
Link yet to come
REGION 6 MEETING
Hosted by Marion Technical College
1014 SW 7th Rd, Ocala, Florida
October 19-21, 2025
T E N T A T I V E A G E N D A
Sunday, October 19, 2025
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Welcome Meet & Greet Social
Monday, October 20, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and Registration
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks from Marion Technical College
~ Richard Monroe, Earl Scott and Gary Smallridge
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. NAPFTDS Welcome & Update
~ Martin Garsee, Executive Director, NAPFTDS
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. BREAK
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Training Students with disabilities
~
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. FMCSA Update
~
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. AAMVA Update
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. TBD ~
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 – 4:00 p.m. Vehicle Inspections from the Florida Highway Patrol’s Perspective ~Sgt. Casey Moore, Florida Highway Patrol
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Dinner
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast & Networking
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Truckers Against Trafficking
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Break
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Industry Roundtable – Instructors
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Industry Roundtable - Carriers
~ Roundtable participants
11:45 – 12:00 p.m. Wrap up and Closing
Have a safe trip home!
*Agenda is subject to change by Marion TC.
Sponsors Region 6
Region 7 Meeting
September 18-19, 2025
Cecil College is proud to host the Region 7 NAPFTDS Conference through its renowned Truck Driver Training program. As an inclusive, open-access institution, Cecil College is dedicated to academic excellence and committed to serving a diverse student population. The College offers a supportive learning environment where students are empowered to succeed academically, transfer to four-year institutions, and enter the workforce with confidence. Beyond academics, Cecil College enriches lives through lifelong learning, the arts, and strong community engagement. The upcoming conference promises to deliver valuable insights for trucking instructors, focusing on elevating teaching skills and addressing evolving student needs. Attendees will benefit from sessions led by industry experts on topics such as adapting to changing learning styles, supporting recently incarcerated students, and enhancing programs through financial literacy education.
The meeting will take place on:
September 18, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
September 19, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cecil College, 1 Seahawk Dr. North East, MD 21901
As an inclusive, open-access institution committed to academic excellence and serving a diverse student population, Cecil College is excited to welcome trucking educators and industry professionals for two days of collaboration, insight, and professional development.
This year’s conference will focus on elevating instructional practices, with sessions designed to help educators adapt to changing learning styles, support formerly incarcerated students, and incorporate financial literacy education into CDL programs.
Comfort Inn & Suites
1 Center Drive, North East, MD 21901 1/410-656-8807
Check-in Wed Sept 17 3 p.m.
Check-out Sept 19 11 a.m.
Grp Name Reg 7 Conf NAPFTDS
Grp Number KT39J4
Hotel Link: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/KT39J4
Room rate $144.95
All rooms must be booked before Wednesday Sep 3, 3025. After this date, group room block is released to the general public and will no longer have access to the special group rate.
Region 7 Meeting
Hosted by Cecil College
1 Seahawk Dr., Bldg D Tech Bldg North East, MD
September 18-19, 2025
AGENDA
Thursday, September 18, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast at the hotel
8:30 – 9:00 Registration and Networking
9:00 – 9:45 Welcome Remarks
~Cecil College and NAPFTDS Representatives
9:45 – 10:15 Strategies for Assisting Individuals in Reintegrating Post-Incarceration
~Melissa Mey, Dir. of Substance Abuse Serv., Harford County Detention Center
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:30 NAPFTDS Update
~Martin Garsee, Executive Director/Donnie Tulk, President
11:30 – 12:00 Train the Trainer
~ Tina Durborow, Cecil College
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 Understanding Learners in the Age of Rapid Technology and Social Media
– How Learners Today Present Differently and How to Help them Succeed
~ Meredith Lutzstehl, Cecil College
1:30 – 1:45 Meet the bus for tour
1:45 – 3:30 Tour of Allen Myers Quarry – meet at the bus
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Friday, September 19
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast at the hotel
9:00 – 9:30 Driving Workforce Development: Education Meets the Transportation Industry
~ Louis Campion, Maryland Motor Truck Association
9:30 – 9:45 Break
9:45 – 11:30 Forum Discussion & Sharing
~ College Representatives: Please bring at least one example of a practice at your institution that supports instructor success.
11:30 – 12:00 Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks Agenda subject to
Sponsors Region 7
NAPFTDS 36th Annual Conference
April 12-15, 2026
Black Desert Resort
Ivins, Utah
The link below is for your attendees to book their accommodations directly through our website: Click here to book at Black Desert Resort
Alternatively, guests are welcome to call our reservations team at 855-241-6781 to confirm their stay.
Quick tip: When selecting travel dates, make sure to choose your departure date, even if it appears crossed out. Please note: A one-night deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to arrival without penalty.
WELCOME TO BLACK DESERT RESORT
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind destination nestled amongst the ancient lava fields and vibrant vermillion cliffs of Greater Zion. Where the breathtaking intersection of the Colorado Plateau, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin combines with unparalleled hospitality and amenities. Spanning 600 acres of scenic desert landscape, our newly built luxury resort offers nearly 800 guestrooms and luxury suites. Indulge in diverse dining options, year-round outdoor recreation, and world-class spa facilities. All anchored by a 19-hole Tom Weiskopf signature championship golf course, Black Desert Resort provides the ultimate escape from everyday life.
REMINDER!
2026 Board Nominations: In 2026, terms of two full member directors will expire (Lynette Cervantes and Nikole Willing). These two positions have terms of three years and are voted on by the membership as a whole (Full and Associate members only). There are also two Associate members Lesley Vincent, Carrier Board member and Jill Schultz, Vendor Board members terms are 3 years. There are two Executive Directors whose terms are expiring: Secretary-John Thorpe and Treasurer-Rob Behnke. Voting members must be in good standing. For a candidate to be considered, the candidate’s organization’s membership dues must be current and have been a member a minimum of one year. Executive Board members must comply with Article VII Section 1. The nominees for the executive director positions of Secretary and Treasurer are to have been a board member in the past.
All Nominees must be in good standing. Nomination forms are due by End of Business (EOB) January 30! Nomination forms are available on the website or contact Crissie Moffet, cmoffet@napftds.org or call 316425-3297 to receive one!
REGIONAL SPONSORSHIP!!
Mission Statement
The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, Inc. is an organization established for the promotion of safety, professionalism and quality education within the transportation industry.