Staff - John Wood Community College

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All John Wood Community College Truck Driver Training Instructors regularly attend workshops, seminars, "Train the Trainer" programs, and participate in other activities to insure the highest level of efficiency.

Don Hess, Director
Transportation and Public Safety Programs

Although Don Hess has a B.A. from the University of Nebraska, and is currently completing his M.S. in Educational Administration, it is his seventeen years of truck driving experience that speaks the most of his education. His driving experience includes cross-country long haul temperature controlled, tankers, suspended meat, flammables, hazardous materials, and explosives. Prior to joining JWCC in 1994 to create the truck driving program, Don was an instructor at the Center for Transportation and Safety Education in Drumright, Oklahoma. He keeps current with the trucking world as a member of many organizations, including past presidency of the Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools. He was also a founding member of the Driver Training and Development Alliance, and serves on the Executive Board of the Professional Truck Driver Institute. He co-authored Illinois Occupational Skill Standards for Entry-Level Truck Driver, and is a contributing editor to Trucking, Tractor-Trailer Driver Handbook-Workbook. In addition, he maintains a current Class A CDL with all endorsements, and makes occasional cross-country runs to stay current with the industry and drivers. Don is a recipient of the American Trucking Association Million Mile Safe Driver Award.

Phil Steinkamp, Lead Instructor

Phil has a total of nineteen years in the trucking industry. His driving experience includes three years local and regional driving, and ten years as a cross-country long haul driver. He holds a nine year safe driving award. Additionally, Phil has spent over five years in operations at a major trucking company, starting out as a dispatcher, and working his way up to regional manager. He spent over four years as an associate truck driving instructor at JWCC prior to accepting the lead instructor position in 2000. He has completed the Train the Trainer program at the Center for Transportation and Safety Education in Drumright, Oklahoma, as well as the Train the Trainer/Driver Finisher program at The Transportation Institute at Des Moines Area Community College.

Lindsey Parrish, Associate Instructor

Lindsey has over twelve years cross-country long haul driving experience. He has been to 46 states and Canada. His experience includes dry freight and temperature controlled shipments. He has accumulated over one million miles of safe driving experience. Lindsey has completed the Train the Trainer program at the Center for Transportation and Safety Education in Drumright, Oklahoma, as well as the Train the Trainer/Driver Finisher program at The Transportation Institute at Des Moines Area Community College. Additionally, he completed the Decision Driving truck skidpad course at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Bruce Schaffnitt, Associate Instructor

Bruce began his truck driving career in 1963, and has driven continuously since that time, with the exception of four years spent farming. He has driven for both regional and cross-country long haul operations. He has accumulated over one and a half million miles of safe driving, and been the recipient of numerous safe driving awards. His experience includes double and triple axle power units, dry freight, and double hopper bottoms.

Carroll Harms, Associate Instructor

Carroll has accumulated over 25 years in the trucking industry. His experience includes tankers, compressed gas, flammables, hazardous materials, and temperature controlled loads. He has operated both regionally, and in cross-country long haul operations as both a company driver, and owner-operator. He is the recipient of a five year safe driving award, and has twelve years experience in operations as a dispatcher.

If you would like to contact an instructor, you can email hess@jwcc.edu or call (217)224-5362.