HDS Truck Driving Institute employs only experienced and professional drivers as instructors. Our instructors are accomplished drivers and have practiced what they preach. These dedicated professionals receive on-going training in various teaching techniques to ensure the hundreds of students we train each year receive a first-rate education. We continuously study and evaluate student outcomes and institutional goal achievement and use these to improve our efforts for our students, staff, employers, and the community.
Site Manager | CDL Instructor
Tim Kernstein
Retired Airman – 22 years of Service
Experience
- 3 years with HDS
- 1 year over the road
- 22 years – fireman truck (class A & Class B license)
Certifications
- Fire Instructor I-II-III
- Haz-Mat Train the Trainer
- Over 4,000 Hours of classroom & hands-on training
“I enjoy knowing I had a small part in helping a student change their lives.”
CDL Instructor
Ligata Dzevad
Experience
- 5 years as a driver, 15 years as an instructor
- 1 year running OTR, 5 years dedicated local driver, Traffic Survival School instructor, Defensive Driving School instructor, 3rd party license provider & instructor for D & G class
Certifications
- CVTA Level 4 Senior Master Instructor
- CVTA Level 4 Certified Safety Instructor
- Class A CDL (endorsements T, P, X, S)
- Competitive Government Partnership Training for Instructors Class D, G, A, B, C, and P
- Competitive Government Partnership for CDL Examiners Class A, B, C, P, D, and G
- AZ Department of Transportation training for 3rd party license training provider class D and G
- Member of Arizona Trucking Association
- Member of Highway Watch in Arizona
- Arizona National Safety
- Member of Commercial Vehicle Training Associ
- Numerous Safe Driving Awards
“Teaching makes a difference with visible results. This is not only a job, this is enjoyment. I enjoy demonstrating my knowledge and then transferring that to students.”
CDL Instructor
Dan Schlegel
Experience
- 27 years with HDS
- Over 20 years OTR and local trucking hauling cars, frozen products, and dry freight in the 48 states and Canada
Certifications
- Licensed AZ CDL Instructor Since 1993
- Licensed AZ CDL Examiner for Commercial Trucks and Buses Since 1997
- CVTA Trained and Certified
- Numerous Safe Driving Awards
“I enjoy working with a diverse group of people who are motivated and interested in changing their lives and improving themselves by entering the trucking industry. Also seeing the students improve through the program and knowing myself and my fellow instructors have helped them become safe and productive drivers while enabling them to make an excellent income.”
CDL Instructor
Luisa Kirkbride
Experience
- 17 years with HDS
- Drove OTR in 48 states and Canada, class B trucks and bus in AZ and Colorado, helped develop bilingual CDL program for HDS, CDL instructor in Colorado
Certifications
- Certificate of Outstanding Teaching Skills
- Accident Prevent Training Certification
- Defensive Driving Certification
- Smith System Certification
- Emergency Procedures
- Passenger Relations
- Master Instructor CVTA
- Class A CDL (Endorsements T, P, X, S)
- Competitive Government Partnership for Instructors Class D, G, A, B, C, and P
- Member of Arizona Trucking Association
- Highway Watch in Arizona
“I love interacting with my students and helping them understand the content of any course. I feel that I am making a difference and it gives me a deep sense of purpose. It brings value and meaning to my life. I know the job that I do can have an impact on the lives of my students throughout all of their years of driving and beyond.”
CDL Instructor
Stephen Chasimba
Experience
- 13 year with HDS
- 2 years over the road
- 13 years local pick up & delivery
Certifications
- Certified 3rd party examiner with ADOT
- Master CVTA Certification
- Certified Instruction & Examiner Class A, B, D, G, & Class B Passenger Vehicles
“Witnessing the transformation of our students from learners to graduate as professional truck drivers and having been part of the team that has made it possible for our students that gives me the greatest satisfaction.”
CDL Instructor
Bob Bartoszek
Experience
- 9 years with HDS
- 34 years OTR & regional
Certifications
- CVTA Master Instructor
- CVTA Certified Safety Professional
“I enjoy seeing the finished product of a student obtaining their CDL.”
CDL Instructor
Jerry Blankenship
Experience
- 7 years with HDS
- 14 year over the road
Certifications
- Class A CDL
- Tankers (Hazmat) Passenger Endorsement
CDL Instructor
Hector Lopez
Experience
- Since 2005
- 30 years OTR trucking, 12 years of hazmat trucking, over
- 14 years OTR as a mentor
Certifications
- Tank Discharge Training
- OSHA Training & ASHA Training for Mining Facilities
- Homeland Security for Hazmat Training
“I enjoy meeting new students, teaching them of new career opportunities to make a new life, to watch them succeed in this career of trucking.”
CDL Instructor
Sam Daubert
Experience
- Graduated from HDS in 2016, 3 years OTR
Certifications
- Class A CDL
- Endorsements(Double, Triples, Tankers)
“I enjoy working with students every day, meeting new people very week and showing new students how to be safe drivers. Giving verbal and hands-on instruction to my students as well as telling them my own experiences behind the wheel helps to train great drivers. I love the fact that I get to help students create a better life for themselves through the great opportunity that is truck driving.”
CDL Instructor
Michael J. Battoe
Experience
- Flatbed loads, double drop trailers, stretch trailers, RGN trailers, multi-axle trailers, over dimensional freight, super-specialized freight/DOD/Boeing/SpaceX Gulfstream
Certifications
- OSHA (36-Hour Course)
- Rough Terrain Forklift
- Loaders
- Bulldozers
- Safety Trainers
“I believe an individual needs to understand the vehicle and equipment before performing the full driving experience. After all my years of OTR with several different trucks and trailers, I feel there is so much to teach to ensure safety and success. To demonstrate, teach, and watch individuals grow with knowledge and confidence is rewarding as well as fulfilling to me.”
