EVENTS

CVTA – 2022 Fall Conference Recap & Photos

Nov 2-04, 2022

Access and Engagement

CVTA Members engaged with influential figures in the FMCSA, Congress and across the trucking industry.

  • Congressman Troy A. Carter (LA-02), welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of the truck driver training industry.
  • Nikki McDavid, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), provided an overview of the implementation of Entry-Level Driver Training Rules. McDavid also took numerous questions from CVTA members in attendance on the status of an auditing program, TPR issues that members are experiencing, and ways that members can report new TPR issues
  • Dan Horvath, American Trucking Associations (ATA), shared ATA’s top priorities on safety, energy, and workforce issues. Horvath also previewed some of the most pressing issues in the industry that will face the new Congress in 2023.
  • Kyle Marinelli, National Association of Workforce Boards, discussed the pending re-authorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the roles that CVTA members can play in helping to advance their priorities on Capitol Hill.
  • Chris Moreno, Truckers Against Trafficking, equipped members with the knowledge to recognize and respond to human trafficking as well as develop relationships with various organizations and key industry stakeholders.

Learning and Planning

Members participated in roundtable and panel discussions that provided the opportunity to learn and share important industry insights.

  • Soft Skills Panel: Gina Anderson (Luma Brighter Learning), Jill Balleh (CDS Tractor Trailer), Angela Horowitz (Stevens Transport), and Tim Kordula (Karl’s Transport CDL School) spoke on the importance of using “Soft Skills” in the CDL school and carrier environment. This includes everything from policy handbooks, addressing harassment, and teaching the “why” along with the how.
  • Technology Panel (or the panel of the future!): Homer Hogg (Travel Center of America), Tim Norlin (Roehl Transport), Tina Singh (California Truck Driving School), Bryon Wiebold (Tenstreet), Ryan White (Navistar), and guest star Tim Kordula (Karl’s Transport CDL School) spoke about real-time apps and driver portals, all-digital student records, how trucks communicate with the shops and drivers, digital communication between schools and the FMCSA TPR.

Strengthening Connections

CVTA Members from across the country came together in New Orleans to reconnect with one another and discuss the latest trends in the industry.

Recognizing Service

One of the greatest perks of being in this industry is the opportunity to meet people who inspire us all with their service to our country, our communities, and each other.

  • Gregg Softy (Stevens Transport), the 2017 Transition Trucking winner, spoke about his career of service in the U.S. military. He shared how the experiences and values he gained during that time helped guide his transition into the trucking industry after leaving the service.
  • Donna Miller (Liberty Career Finance) shared her personal experiences with organ donation while providing valuable and potentially life-saving information about the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Andrew Poliakoff

Andy Poliakoff is the Executive Director for CVTA. In this role, he promotes the mission of the membership organization and implements goals set by the Board of Directors. This includes forming partnerships with external stakeholders, providing guidance and direction to the CVTA staff team, and engaging with state and federal government agencies to advance CVTA’s mission of safety and career opportunities in the truck driver training industry.

In 2021 and 2022, Andy acted as federal affairs lead for Electrify America, interacting at high levels within Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the White House. In that capacity, he played a pivotal role in the optimization of large-scale infrastructure funding at the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

From 2019 to 2021 Andy served as Director of Gov't Affairs for CVTA and formed a strong bond with members, engaging on advocacy related to Entry-Level Driver Training, Skills Testing Delays, and Workforce funding. During the pandemic, Andy fought at the state and federal level to treat CDL training and testing as the essential services they are. He is personally invested in the important mission of CVTA's members to deliver safe training and to transform people's lives through truck driving careers.

Andy holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University.

Cindy Atwood

Cindy Atwood is the Vice President at CVTA. An experienced association professional, Cindy handles all activities related to membership retention, financial accounting and committee engagement. Cindy artfully produces CVTA’s off-site biannual conferences, Hill Day operations and Board meetings, ensuring that the general membership and leadership’s necessities and wishes are met with the highest response.

An essential fixture in the truck driver training association space, Cindy manages CVTA’s Instructor Certification Program and provides critical counsel to new entrants into the truck driver training industry.

Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.