2026 Aug NAPFTDS LC Vol 14 No 2 by NAPFTDS

eNewsletter Vol 14, No. 2 Aug 2026

The federal government has announced a new initiative intended to help veterans and transitioning service members enter the commercial trucking industry more quickly. President Donald Trump, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veteran Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins, and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling kicked off the Freedom Haulers campaign during a White House event on July 30, 2026. The interagency initiative coordinates resources to connect veterans with CDL licensing, training, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities. (U.S. Department of Transportation Announcement) Expanding Access to CDL Credentials A major component of the initiative is the expansion of the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver. Eligible veterans will now have up to two years after leaving a qualifying military driving position to apply for the waiver, rather than the previous one-year period. The waiver allows qualified applicants with military heavy-vehicle experience to obtain a CDL without repeating the civilian skills test. According to the Department of Transportation, more than 40,000 veterans have already used the program. (U.S. Department of Transportation Announcement) continued on page 4

President’s Message Donnie Tulk President, NAPFTDS Hello everyone! Well, it sure is an interesting time to be involved in truck driver training. As I see more enforcement of the ELDT regulation, it reminds me that NAPFTDS schools are doing the right thing by following and adhering to the ELDT regulation every day. Please remember that it takes a lot of hard work from the instructors working with students each and every day to ensure that our programs are staying compliant. Make it a point to thank instructors for what they do and show them appreciation for what they do every day, remember your program is only as good as the instructors. With that said, we are looking at partnership opportunities to develop a certified instructor program that we can offer to member schools. I will be working closely with our new education chair, Rickey Monroe to explore opportunities to bring an NAPFTDS certified instructor program to fruition. Stay tuned as we have more to come on this topic. Thank you for what you do for NAPFTDS!

In This Issue ... • From Military Driving Experiences to Civilian CDL Success • President’s Message • Executive Director Report • Coming Events • Committee Happenings • 2026 Partners • 2026 Regionals Information & Sponsorships • Contact NAPFTDS • Board of Directors • NAPFTDS Facts • 2026 New Members

By Martin Garsee As I write this, we are in the middle of summer. Most places have had their share of hot weather. I for one am looking forward to the fall season for many reasons. Cooler weather, a week’s vacation in the mountains and the NAPFTDS regional meeting.

Regional meetings are a time to get together, share ideas, and learn from each other. We all have our strong points and things where we can improve. Each meeting will have speakers that will give us new information, but many times the real experts are sitting in the room. Instructors, administrators, etc. that have been in the training arena for many years and are willing to share. Regionals are a time to reconnect with “old” friends and make new ones, people that you talk to, not just at regionals or at a conference, but you can reach out to throughout the year and trade ideas and continue to learn from each other. Listed in this newsletter will be all locations, dates and information. Please make an effort to attend and bring as many of your staff as possible. We also want to give a BIG THANK YOU to our sponsors that make it possible to have the meetings without having to charge a registration fee. Without our sponsors we would have to charge which may limit our attendance,

Coming Events ... • • • •

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Region 1 & 2 , October 4-6, 2026, Eastern Wyoming College, Douglas, WY Region 3 & 5, September 9-11, 2026, Olive-Harvey College, Chicago, IL Region 4, December 9-11, 2026, Laredo College, Laredo, TX Region 6, October 21-23, 2026, TCAT Chattanooga State and Northwest Georgia Technical College with Covenant Logistics, Chattanooga, TN Region 7, October 12-13, 2026, College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 2027 NAPFTDS 37th Annual Conference, April 4-6, 2027 Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Resort, Gulf Shores, Alabama

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Active-duty service members will also be permitted to apply for and test for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the state where they are stationed. Previously, military personnel could be required to return to their home state to complete portions of the licensing process. The new option will remain available for two years following separation from military service. (U.S. Department of Transportation Announcement) What the Initiative Means for Publicly Funded CDL Schools For publicly funded CDL schools, Freedom Haulers could create opportunities to build stronger veteran recruitment, training, and employment pathways. Privatesector employment commitments are part of this campaign. Werner Enterprises has pledged to hire 1,400 veterans and military spouses in 2027, which the Department of Transportation described as a 67 percent increase in the company’s veteran workforce. (U.S. Department of Transportation Announcement) Commitments like this lay the foundation for strengthening relationships between private employers, military bases, SkillBridge coordinators, veteran’s organizations, workforce agencies, and quality CDL schools. 4

Region meeting information from pages 9 to 22.

Check out the 2027 conference information on page 23.

Committee Happenings … Want to be a part of a working committee, please contact Crissie Moffet, cmoffet@napftds.org.

Carrier-Mary Fontes Chair. NAPFTDS Carrier Committee continues to work on creating a Rookie Driver's Survival Guide. We look forward to approving the first draft at our August Meeting. Below is a sneak peek. Life Beyond the Wheel: A Rookie Driver’s Survival Guide When you step into the cab of a commercial rig, you quickly realize that driving is only half the job—managing your life from the cab is the other half! While commercial driver training covers safety and maneuverability, mastering the everyday trucking lifestyle, smart budgeting, nutrition, exercise, and mental health requires a whole different set of skills. Transitioning into commercial driving is far more than taking on a new job; it is adopting an entirely new lifestyle. Here are four core pillars to help you stay healthy, focused, and resilient on the road: 1. Build Mental Endurance and Combat Isolation Spending days or even weeks away from home can take a toll. To keep isolation at bay, make staying connected a priority through daily phone calls, video chats with family, or engaging audiobooks to keep your mind active. 2. Master the Clock Your day is dictated by Hours of Service (HOS) rules rather than just dispatch schedules. Developing a strong routine around efficient route planning, smart parking strategies, and intentional downtime management will prevent unnecessary stress along your route. 3. Take Pride in Your Living Space Your sleeper berth doubles as your bedroom, living room, and office. Keeping your cab clean, organized, and comfortable creates an environment that promotes mental clarity and real relaxation at the end of a shift. 4. Prioritize Quality Rest Quality sleep is nonnegotiable for safety and well-being. Invest in essential cab upgrades like good blackout curtains, a comfortable mattress topper, and a noise machine or fan to block out noisy truck stops.

Conference/Nomination-Martin Garsee, Chair. We are set to be in Gulf Shores, Alabama, April 5th & 6th 2027. We look forward to seeing you there in the beautiful state of Alabama. Last year we received positive feedback from our members that were on panels to share information, we will add more panels to this year’s agenda. If you have a suggestion, please reach out to me. In addition, we will be electing new board members including a Vice President and 2 regular board members. Our new bylaws also have us adding 1 government member, 1 additional carrier member and 1 additional industry member. Education-Richard ‘Rickey’ Monroe, Chair. No report submitted. If you are interested in serving on the Education Committee, please contact Richard ’Rickey’ Monroe at richard.monroe@marion.k12.fl.us or Crissie Moffet at cmoffet@napftds.org. Finance—Nikole Willing, Chair. No report submitted. Our goal is to ensure that NAPFTDS remains financially strong for it’s current and future members. Marketing/Social Media-Bill Buechel, Chair. No report submitted. Please remember to like our … Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NAPFTDS and Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-association-of-publicly-fundedtruck-driving-schools/ Membership-Dan Zdrojewski, Chair. Membership-Dan Zdrojewski, Chair. The Membership Committee has remained highly engaged throughout 2026, continuing the momentum built over the past year as interest in NAPFTDS membership grows across the country. We’ve seen steady outreach from publicly funded CDL programs seeking clarity on our membership categories, guidance on the application process, and opportunities to connect with peer institutions. With the recent adoption of the revised NAPFTDS Bylaws, our new membership structure is now fully reflected in updated applications, which are entering their final stages of deployment online. These revisions strengthen our ability to welcome schools and partners whose missions align with our Association’s standards, and they ensure our processes remain transparent, consistent, and supportive of both new and returning members. The committee continues to review applications, assist schools in understanding their program alignment, and collaborate closely with the Board to move qualified applicants forward. We are also expanding engagement with our associate members, who play a vital role in advancing our shared mission. Looking ahead, our focus remains on proactive outreach, retention, and strengthening the value proposition of NAPFTDS through advocacy, collaboration, and professional development. As always, if you know of a program or partner who may benefit from joining our community, please encourage them to connect with us—we’re committed to building a stronger, more unified future for CDL education. Regionals-Missy Blair, Chair. The regionals for 2026 have been hosted: Region 1 & 2 at the Eastern Wyoming College, Douglas, WY October 4-6, 2026; Region 3 & 5 at the Olive-Harvey College, Chicago, IL, September 9-11, 2026; Region 4 at Laredo College, Laredo, TX December 9-11, 2026; Region 6 Chattanooga State and Northwest Georgia Technical College with Covenant Logistics, Chattanooga, TN, September 30—October 3, 2026; and Region 7 at College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, October 12-13, 2026. Interested in hosting a 2027 Regional meeting, please contact Missy Blair mlblair@pima.edu or Crissie Moffet at cmoffet@napftds.org, 316-425-3297. Regulatory-Jill Schultz, Chair. The regulatory committee informs members of changes and proposed changes to laws, regulations, and policies related to truck driver training. The following are highlights for May through July 2026. Dashboard added to TPR website. FMCSA added a dashboard to the Training Provider Registry home page. Data includes the number of active providers and locations, locations under review or removed, and drivers trained in the past month and since February 2022. DOT agenda includes ELDT-related rulemakings FMCSA is considering a proposed rulemaking to strengthen ELDT provider oversight and program integrity. The agency is also planning an advanced proposal seeking input on the safety of women truck drivers, workplace harassment, and protections for pedestrians and bicyclists. Extension of school bus endorsement exemption requested. The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) has asked FMCSA to renew an exemption that waives the engine compartment inspection requirement for CDL applicants seeking only a school bus endorsement.

2026 GOLD PARTNERS Doron Precision Systems, Inc. Kelly Anderson Group Motive

Virage Simulation

2026 SILVER PARTNERS Bumper-to-Bumper-Easy CDL CDL Powersuite CerteDrive Covenant Logistics Drivers Legal Plan Driver Training Solutions FASTPORT Freymiller J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Melton Truck Lines Roehl Transport Schneider Simulator Experts, LTD Stevens Transport TMC Transportation Tenstreet Trucker Path Werner Enterprises

Region 1 & 2 Eastern Wyoming College October 11-13, 2026 Please join us at Eastern Wyoming College in Douglas, Wyoming for region 1&2 meetings. We will feature training and speakers on several topics. Some of which I hope will cause us to think about CDL training in some areas that are overlooked.

Ed Kimes CDL Program Director Eastern Wyoming College ekimes@ewc.wy.edu 207-532-8365

Dean of career and technical, Darryl Spitzer, will be speaking on High School CDL, dual and concurrent as well as CDL as a credit elective. He will also speak on the subject of CDL programs operating in a "for profit" model. A representative of the FMCSA and Wyoming Highway Patrol will be speaking on various topics. The Wyoming State CDL supervisor will be addressing topics on the subject of "Why Modernized"? Our EWC medical and academic staff are presenting training topics on the subject of driver health and fitness as well as driver mental health. These are subjects that were never discussed for many of us. On Tuesday, Kevin Hawley will lead a round table discussion on the subjects concerning CDL training and the trucking industry. Followed by a live demonstration of the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the use of safety equipment utilized at Wyoming Ports of Entry.

Lodging Information: Hotel Information and reservation link: Hampton Inn & Suites Douglas 1730 Muirfield Ct, Douglas, WY 82633 Attendees can also call the hotel directly (307-358-0707) and give the group name and make their reservations that way. Cutoff date is 9/20/26. Rate is $145 per night. The link is: EWC- NAPFTDS REGION 1 & 2 TRUCK TRAINING at the Hampton Inn Douglas/ Cutoff Date: 09/20/2026

Registration Link Below: Region 1 & 2, Eastern Wyoming College-Douglas, WY - National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools

Region 1 & 2 Meeting Hosted by Eastern Wyoming College Windriver Dr, Douglas, WY 82633 October 4-6, 2026

Sunday, October 4, 2026 5:00 p.m. Meet & Greet, Hampton Inn & Suites-Douglas,1730 Muirfield Ct, Douglas, WY

Monday, October 5, 2026 7:30 – 7:40 Pick up at the hotel to head to the day’s venue 7:40 – 8:00 Registration/Networking 8:00 – 8:30 Welcome and Introductions ~ Dr. Jeff Hawes, President, Eastern Wyoming College 8:30 – 9:00 NAPFTDS Updates ~ Martin Garsee, Executive Director 9:00 – 10:00 Wyoming Highway Patrol ~ Chris Stewart, New Entrant Auditor 10:00 – 10:15 Break/Vendor 10:15 – 11:15 For Profit Model/High School CDL, Dual and concurrent, credit and elective ~ Dean Spitzer, Dean of Workforce and Career Technical Education 11:15 – 12:15 Lunch 12:15 – 2:00 Driver Physical and Mental Health ~ Dr. Debbie Ochsner, Executive Dean of Academics 2:00 – 2:30 Break/Vendor 2:30 – 3:30 Modernized CDL ~ Erin King, Wyoming State CDL Supervisor 3:30 – 4:00 Transportation Back to the Hotel 5:00 Pick up at the hotel for Dinner 5:45 Dinner will be at EWC campus Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:30 – 8:00 Pick up at the hotel to head to the day’s venue 8:00 – 9:00 FMCSA Update ~ Joshua Camp, FMCSA Division Administrator of Wyoming and Colorado 9:00 – 10:00 Wyoming Trucking Association – Round Robin Discussion ~ Kevin Hawley, President, Wyoming Trucking Association 10:00 – 10:15 Break/Vendor 10:15 – 11:00 Live Demonstration of Monitoring Equipment ~ Chris Stewart, Wyoming Highway Patrol 11:00 – 11:30 Wrap up / Closing Thoughts

Agenda is subject to change by Eastern Wyoming College.

Region 1 & 2 NAPFTDS Meeting October 4-6, 2026 Eastern Wyoming College Douglas, WY SPONSORSHIPS

Take time to say

to our sponsors! 11

Join Us for the Region 3 & 5 NAPFTDS Regional Meeting, September 9-11, 2026 Olive-Harvey College/Chicago, IL Join transportation professionals from across the region for the NAPFTDS Regional Meeting, September 9 –11, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip in Alsip, Illinois. This event provides an opportunity for fleet, maintenance, and transportation leaders to network, share best practices, discuss industry trends, and explore solutions to the challenges facing pupil transportation today. Attendees will participate in informative sessions, collaborative discussions, and peer-to-peer networking designed to strengthen transportation operations and promote safety, efficiency, and professional development. Whether you are a transportation director, fleet manager, technician, trainer, or support professional, the regional meeting offers valuable opportunities to learn from industry experts and colleagues. Registration is now open, and hotel accommodations are available through the event room block. We look forward to welcoming attendees for an engaging and productive regional meeting experience .

Lodging Information: DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip, 5000 West 127th St, Alsip, IL 60803. Rate $139/night. Cutoff: August 21, 2026. Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/napftdsseptember2026/ Call-In Instructions: Please advise attendees to make their reservations using the group code: NAP via telephone 800-222-8733 or website www.chicagoalsip.doubletree.com and inputting the code into the “Group Code” area under the “Add Special Rate Code” section. All guests are responsible for making their reservations by the cut-off date 8/21/26. After this date, any unsold rooms will be released back into our inventory and the rate will no longer be available.

Registration Link Below: Region 3 & 5, Olive-Harvey College, Chicago, IL - National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving

Region 3 & 5 Meeting Hosted by Olive Harvey College September 9-11, 2026 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Meet & Greet, Double Tree by Hilton Thursday, September 10, 2026 7:00 a.m. Transportation provided to campus 7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast/Registration 8:30 – 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks ~ Dean Cheryl Freeman-Smith 9:00 – 9:30 NAPFTDS Updates ~ Donnie Tulk, President/Martin Garsee, Executive Director 9:30 – 9:45 Break/Vendor 9:45 – 10:30 The Future of Commercial Driver Training ~ Presenter 10:30 – 11:30 Looking Ahead! Tour of Olive-Harvey Campus ~ Donna Elicke, Facilitator 11:30 – 12:45 Lunch 12:45 – 1:30 Building Tomorrow’s Transportation Workforce ~ Representative, Operation Lifesaver 1:30 – 2:15 Community College Partnerships & Employer Engagement Best Practices ~ Presenter 2:15 – 2:30 Break/Vendor 2:30 – 4:15 Technology in CDL education and instructor shortages–Roundtable discussion ~ Presenter 4:30 – 6:30 Dinner at Olive-Harvey campus 6:30 Transportation provided to hotel Friday, September 11, 2026 7:30 – 8:00 Transportation provided to campus 8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast/Networking 9:00 – 9:45 Building Tomorrow’s Transportation ~ Presenter 9:45 – 10:00 Break/Vendor 10:00 – 11:30 Challenges and Solutions – Roundtable discussion ~ Facilitator 11:30 Wrap up / Closing Thoughts

Agenda is subject to change by Olive-Harvey College.

Region 3 & 5 NAPFTDS Meeting September 9-11, 2026 Olive-Harvey College| Chicago, IL SPONSORSHIPS

Meet Us at the Gateway of Trade: NAPFTDS Regional Meeting in Laredo By Cira N. Hernandez Workforce Development Coordinator Transportation Training Center, Laredo College

Mark your calendars and make plans to join us in Laredo, Texas, for the upcoming NAPFTDS Region 4 Meeting on December 10–11, 2026, hosted by Laredo College. Located along the Texas-Mexico border, Laredo offers attendees a unique opportunity to experience commercial transportation and workforce training from the perspective of one of North America’s most important freight gateways. In Laredo, trucking is more than an industry. It is part of the community, the economy, and the daily movement of international trade. The regional meeting will bring together fellow educators, training providers, industry partners, and workforce professionals for meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing commercial driver education. Attendees can look forward to sharing ideas, learning from one another, and discussing topics that affect our programs, instructors, students, and industry partners. We are also excited to welcome attendees to Laredo College’s historic Fort McIntosh Campus and showcase our Transportation Training Center at the South Campus. Guests will have an opportunity to learn about our CDL training and testing operations and how we serve students pursuing career credentials—from recent high school graduates entering the workforce to adults reskilling or preparing for a career change. Our program also works with businesses and community partners to develop customized training opportunities, including programs supported through workforce grants and other funding initiatives. Attendees will see how our program continues to grow and adapt alongside the transportation and workforce needs of our region. While professional development and collaboration will be at the heart of the meeting, we also want attendees to experience the hospitality, culture, and character that make Laredo special. This will be more than a meeting. It will be an opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange practical ideas, and experience driver training at the gateway of international trade. Whether you are looking for new approaches to strengthen your program, opportunities to build partnerships, or simply time to reconnect with fellow NAPFTDS members, we hope you will join us. Save the date: December 10–11, 2026, at Laredo College. Come ready to learn, share, connect, and experience where education, trucking, and international trade meet. We look forward to welcoming you to Laredo!

Lodging Information: Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Laredo, 800 Garden Street, Laredo, TX 78040

Rate $149. Booking Link and Cut-off date still to come:

Registration Link Below: https://napftds.org/event/region-4-laredo-college-laredo-tx/

Region 4 Meeting Hosted by Laredo College West and Washington St Laredo, TX December 9-11, 2026

Wednesday, December 9, 2026 Meet & Greet at Hotel to reconnect and network/attendees responsible for their own food and beverage purchases.

Thursday, December 10, 2026 7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast/Registration/Networking 8:30 – 8:45 Welcome and Opening Remarks ~ Laredo College administration and host welcome 8:45 – 9:10 NAPFTDS Updates ~ Donnie Tulk, President/Martin Garsee, Executive Director 9:10 – 9:45 Federal and State Training and Compliance Update ~ Presenter 9:45 – 10:00 Break/Vendor 10:00 – 10:45 Industry Perspective: What Employers Need and What Schools are Seeing ~ TXTA Representative 10:45 – 12:15 Myths, Misconceptions, and Misinformation: Perception vs Reality in Trucking If it’s on the internet, it must be true … right? ~ Women in Trucking Representative This session is expected to include an interactive myth-or-fact activity. 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch 1:15 – 2:00 Funding, Scholarships and Workforce Opportunities ~ Representative, Texas Workforce Commission 2:00 – 2:15 Break/Vendor 2:15 – 3:45 Train-the-Trainer Working Session: From Job Posting to Classroom Readiness ~ Facilitator This interactive session would begin developing a shared association toolkit addressing instructor recruitment, interviews, onboarding, instructional preparation, observation, coaching and evaluation 3:45 – 4:30 Regional Discussion and next steps 5:00 Dinner and Networking Friday, December 11, 2026 7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast/Networking 8:30 – 9:30 Laredo Host Feature: Border Freight, Trade and Operations ~ Representative, Port of Laredo/CBP 9:30 – 9:45 Break/Vendor 9:45 – 10:30 Laredo College Transportation Training Center Program Overview ~ Juan Saldivar, Interim Director, Transportation Training Center 10:30 - 11:15 Facility and Training-Site Tour Closing remarks & Departure Agenda is subject to change by Laredo College.

Region 4 NAPFTDS Meeting December 9-11, 2026 Laredo College Laredo, TX SPONSORSHIPS

Take time to say 17

to our sponsors!

Join Us for the Region 6 NAPFTDS Meeting October 21–23 | Covenant Logistics Headquarters | Chattanooga, Tennessee Join us in Chattanooga for the Region 6 NAPFTDS Meeting, October 21–23, featuring key discussions on the future of truck driver education and the transportation industry. Featured highlights include: ● Jeff Sisk (TCAT) on grants and state partnerships for funding CDL programs ● Industry updates from FreightWaves, Lutzie 43 Foundation, Truck Parking Club, and Conversion Interactive Agency ● State of the Industry update ● Tennessee Highway Patrol on highway safety best practices

● Donna England, Tennessee Trucking Association President, on legislative and industry updates ● Panel on attracting the next generation of drivers, including women in trucking Enjoy networking, learning, and the opportunity to experience Chattanooga’s vibrant downtown and attractions. We look forward to seeing you there! Duane Pendergraph Chattanooga State Community College Robert Browder Georgia Northwestern Technical College Jamey Moon Covenant Logistics

Lodging Information: Rate: $134 per night This is a new hotel. It is 2 hotels in same building. They can chose either one. NAPFS & Covenant Logistics Booking Link - Home2 Suites Lookout Mountain NAPFS & Covenant Logistics Booking Link - Tru by Hilton Lookout Mountain

Registration Link Below: https://napftds.org/event/region-6-chattanooga-state-and-northwest-georgia-technicalcollege-with-covenant-logistics-chattanooga-tn/

Region 6 Meeting Hosted by Chattanooga State and Georgia Northwestern Tech and Covenant 400 Birmingham Highway Chattanooga, TN Tentative Agenda October 21-23, 2026

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 5:30-7:00 p.m. Meet & Greet, Home 2 Suites, 3814 Cummings Hwy, Chattanooga, TN Thursday, October 22, 2026 8:00 – 8:30 Registration, Covenant Logistics 8:30 – 9:00 Welcome, Introductions and NAPFTDS Update ~ Donnie Tulk, President NAPFTDS/Martin Garsee, Executive Director, NAPFTDS 9:00 – 9:30 Keynote Speaker ~ Jeff Sisk, Tennessee College of Applied Technology 9:30 – 10:00 45 Seconds ~ Doug Smith, Lutzie Foundation 10:00 – 10:30 Break/Vendor 10:30 – 11:15 Tennessee Trucking Association ~ Donna England, Tennessee Trucking Association 11:15 – 12:00 Highway Safety ~ Sgt. Alex Carrick, Tennessee High Patrol 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and Networking, Covenant Logistics 1:00 – 1:45 New Truck Technology ~ Thomas Wasson, Freightwaves 1:45 – 2:15 Group Discussion ~ Thomas Hutto, Truck Parking Club 2:15 – 2:30 Break/Vendor, Covenant Logistics 2:30 – 3:15 Women In Trucking ~ Jafi Raskey, Joey Ballard and Astin Robertson 3:15 – 4:00 Tour of Covenant Logistics ~ Jamey Moon, Recruiter, Covenant 5:45 Dinner – Logans Roadhouse Friday, October 23, 2026 9:00 – 11:00 Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Chattanooga State Tour ~ Robert Browder, Georgia Northwestern Technical College ~Duane Pendergraff, TCAT at Chattanooga State 11:00 – 11:30 Wrap up / Closing Thoughts

Agenda is subject to change by Georgia Northwestern Technical College, TCAT-Chattanooga State and Covenant.

Region 6 NAPFTDS Meeting October 21-23, 2026 TCAT Chattanooga State / Georgia Northwestern Tech / Covenant SPONSORSHIPS

Take time to say

to our sponsors! 20

Join Us for the Region 7 NAPFTDS Regional Meeting November 12-13, 2026

There is more information to come on Region 7 meeting.

For more information to come on the website or email blast.

Region 7 NAPFTDS Meeting November 12-13, 2026 Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD SPONSORSHIP

NAPFTDS 37th Annual Conference April 4-6, 2027

Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Beach Resort 112 W. Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, Alabama REGISTER TODAY AT... https://napftds.org/events/category/annual-conference/ Room rate is $199.00/$219.00/$229/$259.00 per night (depending on your room needs), the discounted resort fee of $20/ day and discounted Valet parking of $15/day. Cut-off deadline: Friday, March 12, 2026

Hotel link still to come! WELCOME TO Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Beach Resort Walking Distance to the Beach Located just steps from Gulf Shores Beach, we offer on-site dining, a heated outdoor pool with beach views, and versatile meeting space. The Hangout, The Track Family Fun Park, and Waterville USA are just minutes away. The Wharf and Flora-Bama are within 20 minutes, and Gulf Shores International Airport and Adventure Island are within 10 minutes.

The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) is an organization for the promotion of public education for the transportation industry. Through membership, educators can network with other truck driving schools across the country to provide the highest quality, most cost-effective, and up-todate training available. Contact us: Martin Garsee, Executive Director, NAPFTDS Martin.garsee@hccs.edu 713-718-8203 (O) 713-304-8324 (M)

Would you like to advertise in our eNewsletter, the Learning Curve?

Tina Frindt, Finance/Technical Assistant tfrindt@napftds.org 570-688-5710 (M)

You do! Then please give Crissie Moffet a call/email 316-425-3297 / cmoffet@napftds.org.

Membership membership@napftds.org Crissie Moffet Administrative Assistant to the Board 316-425-3297 (O) 24

NAPFTDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2026 President

Donnie Tulk Tulsa Tech

Executive Director

Martin Garsee Houston Community College

Vice President

Dan Zdrojewski Milwaukee Area Technical College

Immediate Past President

Lorie Latigo Lone Star College Transportation Insti.

Secretary

Treasurer

Tony Diaz Amarillo College

Nikole Willing Central Tech

Board Member

Carrier Member

Missy Blair Pima Community College

Lynette Cervantes Del Mar College

Bill Buechel Schneider

Board Member

Int. Board Member

Mary Fontes Hawkeye Community College

Scott Hartley Caldwell Com College & Tech Institute

David Inman Northeast Tech

Michael Kuebler Metropolitan Com. College

Vendor Member

Carrier Member

Int. Board Member

CVTA Representative

Deborah Quackenbush Virage Simulation

Jill Schultz J.J. Keller & Associates Inc.

Lesley Vincent Melton Truck Lines

John Thorpe Central Tech

Cindy Atwood CVTA Representative

Int. Board Member

Richard ’Rickey’ Monroe Marion Technical College

2026 New Members ...

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.

Full Members • Kishwaukee Community College, Malta, IL • Bladen Community College, Dublin, NC • Northwest College, Powell, WY • Great Basin College, Elko, NV • James Rumsey Technical Institute, Martinsburg, WV • Bishop State Community College, Mobile, AL • Dodge City Community College, Dodge City, KS • North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID • Victoria College, Victoria, TX • Iowa Valley Community District, Marshalltown, IA • TCAT Upper Cumberland, Crossville, TN Associate Members • CerteDrive, Rapid City, MI • Southern Tire Mart, Columbia, MS • American Druv Drug Testing Consortium, Colorado City, CO • Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment, Tulsa, OK

Members,

Facts for your information:

As we move forward with our website, please check on your school information.

Membership is a calendar year (Jan-Dec).

If you find an error, please contact Crissie Moffet by email, cmoffet@napftds.org, so that it can be corrected.

Invoices come out between November—January. An ID and password are necessary for the website’s Resources section.

Thank you for your assistance.

REMEMBER, Membership is an institution membership, not individual; therefore, your id and password can be shared with anyone at your institution.

Crissie Moffet

Regional meetings are between August-December. Annual Conference is between end of March and First of May. 26