Expert Details
Transportation, Safety, Driver Training, Driver Behavior, Business Financial & Accident Investigation
ID: 733971
Pennsylvania, USA
▪ command in motor carrier industry practices and regulatory compliance
▪ truck-related accidents
▪ transportation economics
▪ warehousing and distribution management
▪ independent contractor and broker operations
▪ hazardous materials transportation
▪ freight loss and damage prevention
▪ loading and unloading
▪ dock and shipping operations
▪ safety
▪ driver training
Expert's career in the above suite of fields spans over 40 years.
Expert is a transportation Expert Witness, with a focus on Safety, Driver Training, Driver Behavior, Business Financial and Accident Investigation. Her transportation career started over 40 years ago working for her family’s two businesses, where she not only gained first-hand experience, but good business-sense and a strong, solid work ethic. Over the years, Expert has had a variety of roles in the industry - - including loading and unloading, local deliveries, line haul, school bus driving, driver/safety training, and managing a small trucking company.
Besides being a Driver Safety Trainer, Expert has a bachelor’s degree in Business, as well as several accreditations, including being a Certified Director of Safety (CDS) and a Certified Driver Trainer (CDT). Expert has over 26 years and 2 million miles of accident-free driving and still drive part-time to stay current in the industry. Expert continuously takes every opportunity to enhance my skills and background either through first-hand experience or by attending courses such as Accident Investigation.
As an Expert Witness, she has worked with top expert witness firms and is pleased to currently be working, providing sound consultation to attorneys through report writing, depositions and successful trial appearance.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2019 | Degree: CDT | Subject: Certified Driver Trainer | Institution: North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) |
| Year: 2019 | Degree: CDS | Subject: Certified Director of Saftey | Institution: North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) |
| Year: 1990 | Degree: BS | Subject: Business Administration: Marketing | Institution: State University of New York College at Fredonia |
| Year: 1988 | Degree: AAS | Subject: Business Administration | Institution: Erie Community College |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2015 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President/Owner | Department: Owner, Driver Safety Trainer, Driver Trainer, Expert Witness, Consultant |
Responsibilities:Using a ‘peer talking to a peer,’ first-hand experience approach, advise drivers of current/changing rules, regulations, trends in the transportation industry, and how to perform their work safely. Transportation and safety education/training in multi-state areas via classroom setting, online and/or on-site.Consult transportation businesses regarding streamlining of their operations, driver recruitment and retention, regulations, and safety. Also assist companies with employee handbook updating or development. Provide consultation to attorneys and insurance companies regarding rules, regulations, safety and standards of the transportation industry for transportation-related accidents. Solid report writing, deposition and trial testimony experience. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2014 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Driver, Trainer, and Safety Director | Department: Driver, Trainer and Safety Director |
Responsibilities:As part-time, fill-in driver, Expert safely operates double and single trailers in the Northeast for Line Haul operations and local P&D work. She is responsible for maintaining proper DOT paperwork and for operating electronic logging devices (ELD's).She also trains newly hired drivers, including doubles training. As the Safety Director, she oversees driver safety training, which includes conducting monthly safety meetings and Lytx camera reviews. Expert developed an in house driver safety training program that not only met but exceeded FedEx Ground's standards - which received recognition and accommodation and has been effective. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2015 to 2018 | Employer: Terry Morgan Inc. | Title: Expert Witness/Consultant | Department: Expert Witness/Consultant |
Responsibilities:Contracted Expert Witness/Consultant - provided consultations regarding truck involved accidents, motor carrier and/or driver standards of safety training and care, motor carrier industry practices, loading and unloading and regulatory compliance, shipping dock operations, freight loss/damage prevention, warehousing and distribution management, transportation economics, dump truck operations, independent contractor and broker operations, hazardous materials transportation and physical distribution management. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2014 to 2016 | Employer: YOU Safety and Consulting, LLC | Title: Driver Safety Trainer and Consultant | Department: Safety Trainer and Consultant |
Responsibilities:Advised drivers of current/changing rules, regulations, trends in the transportation industry and to think about doing their work safely by focusing on the individual. Conducted classroom training sessions in a multi-state area.Consulted businesses regarding regulations and safety. Assisted companies with employee handbook development. Regularly attended trade shows, seminars, safety forums and did speaking engagements. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2004 to 2014 | Employer: Ron Hartman Trucking, LTD (FedEx Ground) | Title: Manager, Driver and Safety Director | Department: Manager and Driver |
Responsibilities:Expert managed a small trucking company for 11 years, which included overseeing daily and nightly operations; scheduling/routing; maintenance; breakdowns/rentals; emergencies (including accident situations); purchase of new equipment; employee issues; personnel files; payroll; workers compensation; OSHA; Homeland Security; health benefits; DOT required paperwork for business (fuel tax, etc.).She assisted with the development of an Employee Handbook, developed training/procedure material and oversaw the safety program, which included monthly safety newsletters. Expert interviewed and road tested prospective new hires, trained them regarding company policies/procedures and how to safely hook up doubles. As a driver, expert safely operated short doubles daily/nightly in a line haul capacity, which included several drops and hooks... often driving through adverse Northeast winter conditions (specifically Lake Effect snow). She also did local P&D work, maintained daily DOT paperwork/procedures and operated an ELD (electronic logging device). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2004 to 2007 | Employer: Orchard Park Central School | Title: School Bus Driver | Department: School Bus Driver |
Responsibilities:Expert safely transported children ages K–12, including special needs, and performed proper pre-trip and post-trip procedures. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1993 to 2003 | Employer: Yellow Freight; Consolidated Freightways; Carolina Freight; Roadway Express | Title: Line Haul Driver, P&D, and Dock Worker | Department: Line Haul Driver, P&D, and Dock Worker |
Responsibilities:She safely operated double, triple and tandem (long doubles) trailers in interstate commerce, braving fluid and adverse conditions throughout the process. She developed and leveraged a deep knowledge of hazmat, DOT paperwork, and international customs regulations.She attended safety meetings and employed significant skill in local P&D, dock work and loading and unloading procedures. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1993 to 1993 | Employer: Midland Asphalt Materials, Inc. | Title: Driver and Laborer | Department: Driver and Laborer |
Responsibilities:Expert drove liquid asphalt truck and commercial company vehicles to the work site.Additionally, she assisted in work area setup, also prepping road surface and applying liquid asphalt sealer for repair. She served as flagman for traffic control as well. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1990 to 1993 | Employer: Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Superior Lubricants, Inc., and National Fuel Gas Corporation | Title: Marketing Assistant | Department: Marketing Assistant |
Responsibilities:Expert assisted the President and Vice President in creating questionnaires, summarizing results, and analyzing market trends. She summarized reports and presented results; corralled and designed new company programs; trained department personnel; and supervised and assisted a host of marketing support departments at the international and national levels. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1990 to 1990 | Employer: State Attorney’s Office | Title: Facilitator | Department: Consumer Frauds Division |
Responsibilities:She mediated complaint cases and advised consumers on Consumer Protection laws and guidelines. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1976 to 1976 | Employer: Country Ice/D.K.C. Refrigeration | Title: Delivery Driver and Assistant | Department: Delivery Driver and Assistant |
Responsibilities:Expert assisted with all aspects of this family-owned manufacturing and private carrier businesses. Fields included packaging, delivery, loading and unloading, purchases, business paperwork, maintenance, and customer service. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Safety Director | Department: Safety Director |
Responsibilities:As Safety Director, expert oversees overall company safety and Lytx camera events. Conducts monthly safety meetings of related topics and industry FMCSA rules/regulations.Performs new hire training sessions. Overall reduced substandard company safety record by two-thirds within eight months, and after approximately a year, obtained a perfectly clean safety record – which also included good/clean DOT inspections, continuous reductions in camera events, etc. Developed company Safety Manual and Employee Handbook. Familiar with company ELD’s and administrative aspect of them. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| ▪ Member of NATMI (North American Trucking Management Institute) ▪ Member of PMTA (Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association) ▪ Member of OOIDA (Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association) ▪ Member of WIT (Women In Trucking) ▪ Member of ATA (American Trucking Association) ▪ Participant (multiple years) in NYSMTA (New York State Motor Truck Association) Driving Championships ▪ Participant with Trucker Buddy school enrichment program ▪ Volunteer for community enrichment programs (i.e.: nursing homes, schools, etc.) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Current CDL with nearly all endorsements CDT - Certified Driver Trainer (NATMI) CDS - Certified Director of Safety (NATMI) |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Expert has driven over 2 million accident-free miles over her 26 year career. Her awards include: ▪ Awarded for Accident Free Driving – all consecutive years at CF and FedEx ▪ Colleague Nominated candidate for NYSMTA America’s Road Team ▪ Clean CDL Class A with Doubles/Triples, Hazmat (past), Tanker, Passenger & School Bus Endorsements ▪ Consistently pass and maintain 2 Yr DOT medical certification and all random drug & alcohol testing ▪ Knowledgeable of FMCSA Safety regulations, including HazMat ▪ Triples Certification [expired] in Ohio and Indiana ▪ Certified forklift operator ▪ Qualified for Erie County Sherriff’s candidate program – scored in top 15% on exam ▪ Certified Member of National Association of Bail Enforcement Agents ▪ Qualified as NYS Security Guard [past] ▪ National Rifle Association Firearm Safety Course - - NYS & PA Licensed Pistol Permit holder |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert has Written Report, Deposition & Trial experience ... List available upon request |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Education/Specialized Training: ▪ CDT (Certified Driver Trainer) - - NATMI – 2019 ▪ CDS (Certified Director of Safety) - - NATMI – 2019 ▪ Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation, Session Three: CMV Fleet Crash Investigation - - CLEE (Center for Law Enforcement Education) – Certificate of Completion 2018 ▪ Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation, Session Two: Crash Scene Evidence - - CLEE (Center for Law Enforcement Education) – Certificate of Completion 2018 ▪ Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation, Session One: Evidence at the Crash Scene - - CLEE (Center for Law Enforcement Education) – Certificate of Completion 2018 ▪ P.A.C.A. (Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act) Online Certification Course - 2017 ▪ Monthly/Yearly Safety Classes, including Hazmat - - all transportation employers ▪ Continuous training/updates/seminars regarding current rules, regulations and changes in the transportation industry ▪ Certified forklift operator ▪ Smith System Driving Course ▪ Working familiarity with flatbeds and Conestoga trailers and safely securing loads ▪ CPC-A, BS - Certified Medical Coder & Biller [expired] ▪ Took Medical Billing Auditor's exam ▪ Registered Security Guard [expired] - - NYS Department of Licensing ▪ CDL Class A License - - Graduated with highest score of class and school ▪ B.S. - Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Marketing (minor - Psychology & French) - - SUNY Fredonia ▪ A.A.S. - Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration - - Erie Community College |