How NAPFTDS Shaped My Career and Strengthened My Commitment to Trucking
By Marilyn Surber
The trajectory of my career in the transportation industry has been shaped by many factors hard work, opportunity, and a deep commitment to serving carriers and workforce partners. Many organizations I have been involved with have played a defining role in that journey, and none more so than the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS).
Today, I serve as Executive Advisor of Growth & Partnerships for Conversion Interactive Agency, where I focus on driving growth through strategic client and partnership expansion. My work centers on helping carriers identify and implement technologydriven solutions that streamline operations and support long-term success. That perspective, however, was not developed in isolation, it was built over more than fifteen years in the transportation industry and strengthened significantly through my involvement with NAPFTDS. I got my start in trucking at Melton Truck Lines where I implemented their Field and Military Recruiting Programs. This is what led me to Drumright, OK and Central Tech where I met John Thorpe, and the rest is history!
Interestingly, one of the earliest ways I became known within the industry and within NAPFTDS was through a nickname given to me by Brad Bentley: “The Millennial.” Early in my career, I spent a great deal of time speaking about generational differences in the workforce, particularly how to better recruit, engage, and retain millennials in trucking. At the time, those conversations were still relatively new in our space, and I often found myself as one of the few if not the first millennials actively participating in industry discussions and events.
I used to joke that I was the “first millennial in the wild” that many in the industry had encountered.
But those conversations mattered. They helped open the door to a broader dialogue about workforce evolution, communication styles, expectations, and the importance of meeting drivers where they are. More importantly, they reinforced a truth that continues to guide my work today: the future of trucking depends on our ability to adapt, connect, and build pathways for the next generation.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations that each contributed to my understanding of the industry in meaningful ways. My time with Drivers Legal Plan provided insight into the regulatory and compliance challenges drivers face. At Tenstreet, I deepened my experience with technology solutions that improve driver recruiting and onboarding.
Each of these opportunities helped shape my professional foundation but NAPFTDS helped connect the dots.
From the moment I became involved with the association, it was clear that NAPFTDS was more than a professional network: it is a community deeply committed to workforce development, safety, and the long-term sustainability of the trucking industry. Through its members, I gained a deeper appreciation for the critical role publicly funded truck driving schools play in creating access to opportunity and building the next generation of professional drivers.
The impact of that perspective on my career cannot be overstated.
continued on page 4
Driven by Purpose:
What a Conference!
President’s Message
Donnie Tulk President, NAPFTDS
I want to give a big shoutout to our Executive Director, Martin Garsee for his leadership of the Association and his uncanny ability to put together another great annual conference. This year's conference was one of the best we have held since I joined this great association in 2011. Martin ensured we had an awesome lineup of speakers that presented relevant content, leaving attendees wanting to hear more.
Thank you to all of those who presented as well as those who participated in the panel discussions and committee meetings. Speaking of committee meetings I also want to give a shoutout to our newest committee chairs; Mary Fontes, Carrier committee, and Douglass Clarks-Pritchard, Education committee. They both hit the ground running and I know they are going to do a great job as committee chairs. I want to welcome our new board members Scott Hartley and Michael Kuebler as well as welcoming back returning board members Lynette Cervantes, Jill Schultz, and Lesley Vincent. I would like to say "Thank You" to our industry and Carrier Partners who sponsored the wonderful meals and snacks at breaks, we are so blessed to have all of our great Partners taking this journey with us.
Lastly, to Crissie Moffet and Tina Frindt, thank you so much for your hard work year after year to ensure that the annual conference is always a success. Thank you for being "the glue".
In This Issue ...
• Driven by Purpose: How NAPFTDS Shaped My Career and Strengthened My Commitment to Trucking
• President’s Message
• Executive Director Report
• Coming Events
• Committee Happenings
• 2026 Meal Sponsors and 2026 Partnerships
• 2026 Election Results
• Region 1 & 2 meeting
• Conference Highlights
• Contact NAPFTDS
• Board of Directors
• NAPFTDS Facts
• 2026 New Members
By Martin Garsee
The 2026 NAPFTDS annual conference is over and we are settling back into our normal routines. I believe that it was one of the best conferences that I have attended, but I may be prejudice. The venue was amazing, and the surrounding landscape was breathtaking. I would like to thank our conference committee for their assistance with this conference. Our partners for their support by attending and contributing towards meals and breaks. A special thank you for the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism for sponsoring the Monday morning breakfast. Without everyone’s support, this event would not be possible. Please see the list of partners in this newsletter.
We had 28 first-time attendees and several new schools, Donnie gave a shout out to the longest travel from Leeward Community College from Pearl City, Hawaii. No matter the distance you traveled thanks for coming!
Our presenter line up was very well received. We had some of the top industry people give of their time to come and present. On Monday we had Chris Spear from ATA, Dean Croke with DAT Freight and Analytics, Brad Bentley with Fastport. Tuesday we heard from Christian Moreno from TAT, Dave Heller with TCA, Rebecca Pettit from FMCSA, Jennifer Hedrick with Women in Trucking, and last but, not least, Marilyn Surber, a board member with Women in Motion. The panels for both days were a great addition to the conference with lots of discussion and networking from them.
It is great to see old friends and make new friends at our annual conference. On Tuesday night we honored two board members that are retiring in the near future. Celeste Turner from Hawkeye Community College and Robert (Rob) Behnke from Fox Valley Technical College. Both have been very valuable members on our board. Celeste served on the board for 7 years. Rob served on the executive board for 12 years. Rob is the last board member that actually worked with one of the founders of NAPFTDS. Rob had several years to learn the foundation of NAPFTDS from a founder, Chuck Collins. With Rob retiring it seems like another link to the founders has been broken.
We also honored John Thorpe, from Central Tech, while John is not retiring “yet” he did retire from the board after several terms. John served as committee chair for the Education Committee. I have truly enjoyed working with these professionals and wish them the best in the next chapter of their life.
We welcomed new board member Scott Hartley, returning members Lynette Cervantes, Jill Schultz and Leslie Vincent. Elected to the Executive Board was Tony Diaz as secretary, Nikole Willing as treasurer, and Michael Kuebler was appointed as an interim board member for one year to complete Tony Diaz’s board seat. It is my honor to serve this board and this Association, thanks for your many kind words at the conference. We will continue to move the Association forward, to promote professional training and make our roads safer.
Driven by Purpose: How NAPFTDS Shaped My Career and Strengthened My Commitment to Trucking
By Marilyn Surber
Leaders within NAPFTDS especially Martin Garsee, John Rojas, John Thorpe, and Brad Bentley, along with many others have had a profound influence on my growth. Their mentorship, collaboration, and willingness to share knowledge helped me better understand the intersection of education, workforce development, and industry needs. More importantly, they challenged me to think bigger about how partnerships can be leveraged to create meaningful, scalable impact.
“I appreciate good advice given early in my career, and I try to ‘pay it forward’ by mentoring others. Marilyn Surber was one of those people that asked for help along the way. It’s been fun to see her advance within the industry, and I am extremely proud of everything she has accomplished thus far.” Brad Bentley, President of FASTPORT.
Just as importantly, my journey through NAPFTDS has deepened my appreciation for the trucking industry itself. This is an industry that quite literally keeps our economy moving connecting communities, delivering essential goods, and creating life-changing career opportunities for millions of people. It is resilient, evolving, and foundational to nearly every sector. Being part of this industry is something I take great pride in. The people in trucking are some of the most hardworking, innovative, and community-driven professionals I have had the privilege to work alongside, and that continues to inspire me every day.
Through NAPFTDS, I’ve also had the privilege of engaging with broader industry organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association. These experiences, combined with my involvement in leadership and advisory efforts supporting women and young adults in trucking, have reinforced the importance of advocacy, inclusion, and continuous innovation in our field.
I can say with complete confidence that I would not be where I am today without NAPFTDS.
The association has provided not only knowledge and opportunity, but also a network of individuals who are deeply committed to lifting others up and advancing the industry as a whole. It has influenced how I approach leadership, how I build partnerships, and how I define success not just in terms of growth, but in terms of impact.
Today, I’m proud to carry that mission forward not only through my role at Conversion Interactive Agency, but also through the launch of my own venture, The Millennial Consulting Group. This work is a natural extension of everything I’ve learned focused on helping organizations better understand workforce trends, partnerships, and industry involvement, as well as strengthen recruiting and retention strategies, and build meaningful connections with the next generation of talent.
I am proud to continue my involvement with NAPFTDS and to support its mission. As our industry continues to evolve, the role of organizations like NAPFTDS will only become more critical. They are not just preparing drivers; they are shaping careers, strengthening communities, and driving the future of transportation.
For me, NAPFTDS has been more than part of my journey, it has helped define it, and for that, I am thankful.
Coming Events ...
• Region 1 & 2 , October 11-13, 2026, East Wyoming College, Douglas, WY
• Region 3 & 5, September 9-11, 2026, Olive-Harvey College, Chicago, IL
• Region 4, Date TBD, Laredo College, Laredo, TX
• Region 6, October 21-23, 2026, Chattanooga State and Northwest Georgia Technical College with Covenant Logistics, Chattanooga, TN
• Region 7, Date TBD, College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
Want to be a part of a working committee, please contact Crissie Moffet, cmoffet@napftds.org.
Carrier-Mary Fontes Chair. Members: David O’Leary, Cheryl Freauff, Jim Ward, Tony Diaz, Jamey Moon, Jeff Foster, Cindy Foster, Tim Norlin and Betsy Waldrop. We are having a lawyer look over the final draft of the FERPA & Perspective Employer Release Form.
This will allow schools to speak with any employer who conducts a previous employment verification form in accordance with 49 CFR §§40.25 and 391.23 on a previous student.
Conference/Nomination-Martin Garsee, Chair. The 2027 37th Annual Conference to be held in Gulf Shores, Alabama Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Resort, April 4-6, 2027. So SAVE THE DATE! Any ideas for speakers or presentations for 2027, please email Crissie Moffet, cmoffet@napftds.org
Education-Douglass Clarks-Pritchard, Chair. The Education Committee hosted a second session on “Best Practices” and “Driver to Educator” at the 2026 Conference in Utah. This session highlighted schools that successfully implemented best practices. There was also a panel with Patrick Nemons, FMCSA. Panel participants were schools that had been audited and their experiences and key takeaways from the audit.
If you are interested in serving on the Education Committee, please contact Douglass Clarks-Pritchard at dclarkspritchard@wctc.edu or Crissie Moffet at cmoffet@napftds.org.
Finance Rob Behnke, Chair The finance committee has continued to closely monitor expenses and income over the past year. We presented the board with a budget to pass in our January 16, 2026 meeting. We look forward to a year of growth in new members, schools, carriers and industry partners. Our goal is to ensure that NAPFTDS remains financially strong for it’s current and future members.
Marketing/Social Media-Bill Buechel, Chair. The marketing committee put most of its energy into supporting the Annual National Conference .
Looking forward, we know that we should be doing more social media work and are looking at outside vendor options that could help us get there while providing a solid ROI.
Please remember to like our … Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NAPFTDS and Linkedin https:// www.linkedin.com/company/national-association-of-publicly-funded-truck-driving-schools/
Membership-Dan Zdrojewski, Chair. Membership-Dan Zdrojewski, Chair. As we move into mid-2026, the Membership Committee continues to work on outreach to current and prospective members. Welcoming New Committee Members: At the 2026 Annual Conference we welcomed new members to the committee: Luke Sanger, Rob Manke, and Ken Dombroski. We plan to schedule a meeting of the committee to work on setting up tasks including the updating of our membership applications and outreach/retention. Don’t have time to participate in the committee but want to help? If you know of a publicly funded CDL program or organization that could benefit from membership, please encourage them to reach out. Together, we can continue to build a stronger future for CDL education.
Regionals-Missy Blair, Chair. The regionals for 2026 have been hosted: Region 1 & 2 at the East Wyoming College, Douglas, WY October 11-13, 2026; Region 3 & 5 at the Olive-Harvey College, Chicago, IL, September 9-11, 2026; Region 4 at Laredo College, Laredo, TX Dates TBD; 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. 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 December 2025 through April 2026.
ELDT/TPR update. In December 2025, just over 1,500 ELDT providers listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR) were audited by FMCSA. The agency plans to continue auditing ELDT providers on the TPR in 2026. Also, FMCSA has started vetting TPR applicants. Since the inception of the vetting program, 29% of applicants have had TPR applications rejected.
Non-domiciled CDL: An FMCSA final rule limits non‑domiciled CDLs to H‑2A, H‑2B, and E‑2 visa holders. Applicants must show a valid foreign passport and I‑94, with immigration status verified through SAVE. The non-domiciled CDL validity period is limited to the I‑94 “Admit Until Date” or one year, whichever is earlier. Currently, most states have paused issuance of and renewal of non-domiciled CDLs.
Monday, April 13
Breakfast Greater Zion
Morning Break Freymiller Inc.
Lunch Melton Truck Lines, Inc.
Afternoon Break Covenant Logistics
Tuesday, April 14
Breakfast Werner Enterprises
Morning Break Roehl Transport Inc.
Banquet Virage Simulation Inc. & Werner Enterprises
NAPFTDS would like to take this opportunity to thank the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism for sponsoring our Monday, April 13 Breakfast.
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
2026 Board Election Results …
Nikole Willing, Central Tech, Drumright, Oklahoma. As the new Treasurer, I have a passion for the trucking industry and desire to help shape its future. I have personal experience with a publicly funded truck driver training school and have valuable insights to contribute to the Association. Serving on the Board of Directors gives me the opportunity to network with other industry leaders and make a meaningful impact on the quality of truck driving training programs across the country.
Tony Diaz, Amarillo College, Amarillo, Texas. I am looking forward in serving as the Secretary to the Board. My history runs from dispatch to operations manager then into safety. I started out driving a truck over 27 years ago.
When I went into management I focused on creating a culture where the drivers were put first. I figured if the drivers were doing great, then our customers would be doing great. I have a Bachelors in Business Administration from West Texas A&M.
Lynette Cervantes, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX. A re-elected Board member, I am goal-oriented and want to help NAPFTDS become even stronger as an Association.
My vision for the future direction of NAPFTDS is to recruit more women as well as veterans to our schools. I also envision more Teams/Zoom meetings with instructors from all schools to bond.
Scott Hartley, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, Hudson, NC. As a newly elected Board member, I am a 40-year veteran of the commercial trucking industry, who has transitioned from over-the-road operations and fleet ownership to a pivotal role in education. As Program Director for CDL programs at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Scott manages a network of seven collegiate partnerships across North Carolina. His mission is simple: to translate decades of practical experience into high-standard training programs that prioritize safety, compliance, and robust workforce development.
Michael Kuebler, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Nebraska. As a newly elected Interim Board Member, completing Tony Diaz’ term, I work as a co-coordinator and faculty member in Omaha, Nebraska at Metropolitan Community College.
Lesley Vincent, Melton Truck Lines, Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a re-elected Carrier Board Member, she is a Lead Recruiter, Recruiting Supervisor, Trainer and currently Field Recruiting Manager. During her recruiting career with Melton, she has successfully hired hundreds of professional drivers with several that are now million milers and trainers.
In 2008, Lesley was awarded Melton’s prestigious award for Employee of the Year In 2019, she was promoted to manage the Field Recruiting program at Melton where she has a team of 3 full time Field Recruiters and 2 part time Field Recruiters. Her team focuses heavily on veteran hiring/civilian hiring from most skilled schools in the industry.
Jill Schultz, J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Neenah, Wisconsin. As a re-elected Vendor Board Member, Jill Schultz is a Senior Editor at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., where she has specialized in transportation safety and regulatory compliance since 1995. She is a recognized expert in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), state intrastate safety requirements, CDL regulations, and entry‑level driver training. Jill develops and edits a wide range of transportation safety products and publications. Jill has served on the NAPFTDS board since 2018 and chairs its Regulatory Committee. She is a member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association’s Legislative & Regulatory Committee and the American Trucking Associations’ Workforce Development Committee. Jill is also a member of Women in Trucking and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
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.
37th Annual NAPFTDS Conference Highlights
Black Desert Resort
Ivins, Utah
John Thorpe speaker
Monday Morning
Monday, April 13, 2026
Events
Panel discussing FMCSA Audits with Patrick Nemons
Martin Garsee facilitator
Dean Croke, DAT Freight & Analytics
Discussing how the current freight cycle will affect the driver market?
Brad Bentley
Discussing Transition Trucking/Hiring out Heroes
Panel (Greg Hamm, Jill Schultz and Christy Choice)
Discussing Current Industry Trends
Brad Bently Facilitator
Rob Behnke, Treasurer and Tina Frindt
Discuss the 2026 budget
Chris Spear
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Events
Rebecca Pettit FMCSA Chief Council
Panel discussing Women in the Industry
Panel discussing Veteran Hiring
Douglass Clarks-Pritchard, Facilitator
Panel discussing Recruitment
Donnie Tulk, Facilitator
NAPFTDS Associates sharing with the audience what they are all about.
Chris Moreno, TAT
David Heller, TCA Updates
Martin Garsee NAPFTDS Updates
Our Exhibitors
Trucker Path
CDL Powersuite
Doron Precision Simulator
Virage Simulation
Simulator Experts LTD
Driver Training Solutions
Drivers Legal Plan
Certe Drive
Rekindling Old friendships
New Members
Old Members
Committee Chair Reports
And the importance of working Committees!
and a great time!
Boy, it was great having the room packed!
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)
Tina Frindt, Finance/Technical Assistant tfrindt@napftds.org
570-688-5710 (M)
Membership membership@napftds.org
Crissie Moffet
Administrative Assistant to the Board
316-425-3297 (O)
Would you like to advertise in our eNewsletter, the Learning Curve?
You do!
Then please give Crissie Moffet a call/email 316-425-3297 / cmoffet@napftds.org.
NAPFTDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2026
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.
2026 New Members ...
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
Associate Members
• CerteDrive, Rapid City, MI
Members,
As we move forward with our website, please check on your school information.
If you find an error, please contact Crissie Moffet by email, cmoffet@napftds.org, so that it can be corrected.
Thank you for your assistance.
Crissie Moffet
Facts for your information:
Membership is a calendar year (Jan-Dec).
Invoices come out between November January.
An ID and password are necessary for the website’s Resources section.
REMEMBER, Membership is an institution membership, not individual; therefore, your id and password can be shared with anyone at your institution.
Regional meetings are between August-December.
Annual Conference is between end of March and First of May.
