DRI Faculty List
Trucking Law Seminar Seminar
JW Marriott Austin | Austin, TX | April 30 - May 1, 2020
Michael H. (Mike) Bassett Senior Partner
The Bassett Firm
Michael H. (Mike) Bassett, Senior Partner at The Bassett Firm, was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 26, 1961. Admitted to bar, 1987, Texas, U.S. District Courts for Texas; Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts. "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Education: University of Texas El Paso (B.B.A. [dual majors], cum laude 1984); St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., with distinction 1987). Articles Editor, St Mary's University Law Journal, 1986-1987; John Harlan Society; Briefing Attorney, Justice Ted Z. Robertson, Texas Supreme Court, 1987-1988. Certified Mediator and Neutral. Member: American Bar Association (Member of Litigation Section), Dallas Bar Association, Defense Research Institute (DRI), DRI Transportation Committee (Trucking Sub-Committee), American Trucking Association, and American Transportation Lawyers Association. Areas of Practice: Transportation Litigation, Products Liability, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Professional Liability, and Employment Litigation. |
Janice W. Beacham Estes Express Lines Inc
Janice W. Beacham is the Director of Risk Management, Safety for Estes Express Lines Inc. in Richmond, VA. Estes Express Lines is a privately owned LTL carrier with over 200 terminals across the nation. Janice is a graduate of Averett University Danville, VA. She was raised by an Independent Adjuster and began her career with an independent firm, Claims Service Corporation, Richmond, VA. After several years with independent adjusting firms she chose to specialize in transportation and joined Overnite Transportation. In 1996 Janice joined Estes Express Lines in the Safety Department as the Supervisor, Liability Claims. In 2009 she was named Director of Risk Management, Safety Department. As Director of Risk Management Janice manages the Claims/Litigation programs and DOT compliance working closely with the Safety aspects of the Department to build and maintain a solid Safety environment within the Corporation. |
M. Garner Berry Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen PC
M. Garner Berry is an attorney at Heyl Royster law firm in Jackson, Mississippi, where he practices throughout the state, as well as the southeastern region, with an emphasis on transportation/trucking defense. He has devoted himself to the industry and expanded his representation to include matters involving broker liability, cargo claims, corporate structuring, insurance coverage issues, contract review/formation, employment matters and worker's compensation, all within the transportation industry. Garner also has extensive experience in general litigation, medical malpractice, premises liability, products liability, appellate procedure, corporate transactions, and e-discovery. Garner joined Heyl Royster in 2019 from a successful, well-respected Mississippi based law firm in which he was a shareholder. Garner has developed an extensive civil litigation practice primarily focused in transportation and trucking defense, but also involving many other areas of the law. He has tried many cases to verdict and is a highly respected trucking lawyer in the State of Mississippi. Garner is the Trucking Law Vice Program Chair |
Teanna L. Buchner Associate
Clark Hill PLC
Teanna L. Buchner is Senior Counsel and part of Clark Hill's Los Angeles litigation team. Teanna represents small, mid-sized, and large businesses in litigation matters involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death arising from trucking and transportation accidents. Teanna's experience includes defense of interstate transportation companies and their drivers in actions involving collisions, heavy equipment misuse, cargo, and regulatory compliance. Teanna is an active member of DRI and currently serves as editor of the DRI Trucking Law Committee newsletter. |
Charlene Canada, MRC, CRC, CLCP Elevate Services
Charlene Canada, MRC, CRC, CLCP is a Certified Life Care Planner and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with Elevate who utilizes comprehensive assessment, data analysis and research to develop concise cost projections, life care plans and life care plan rebuttals. She provide assessment of current and future needs with associated cost for individuals who experience life-changing effects of catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. Ms. Canada is a Member of the American Brain Injury Association, President of Wyoming Women's Network, Foundation Board Member for Meals on Wheels and a Women of Vision Committee Member, Wyoming Medical Center. |
Christopher E. (Chris) Cotter Roetzel & Andress
Christopher E. (Chris) Cotter is an attorney with the law firm Roetzel & Andress in Akron, Ohio. His national practice focuses on providing business counsel, litigation strategy, and trial capabilities to transportation companies, product manufacturers and distributors, retail establishments, professionals and other businesses and individuals. He serves on Roetzel's Emergency Response Team to immediately address the issues that may arise as a result of industrial accidents, personal injuries, or other catastrophes. |
MaryJane Dobbs Partner
Bressler Amery & Ross PC
MaryJane Dobbs is a partner in the law firm of Bressler Amery & Ross PC in Florham Park, New Jersey. She has substantial experience in handling defendant personal injury matters, including premises liability, products liability and trucking negligence actions. Ms. Dobbs has defended numerous corporations in their general personal injury cases, including a variety of transportation-related entities. She has worked extensively with expert witnesses in the medical, pharmaceutical and scientific fields. Besides transportation cases, Ms. Dobbs also specializes in employment matters including litigation and counseling. Ms. Dobbs is the Past Chair of the DRI Trucking Committee. |
June J. Essis Partner
Weber Gallagher
June J. Essis is a partner with Weber Gallagher in Philadelphia, PA. June Essis has more than 25 years of experience representing trucking companies and truck drivers in accident-related claims alleging personal injury, catastrophic loss and property damage. She also handles statutory violations and vehicle code violations on behalf of many truck drivers. June is a National Director on the DRI Board of Directors (2016-2019). She served as Chair of the Trucking Committee (2014-2016), Trucking Committee Vice-Chair (2012-2014), Trucking Committee Program Chair (2008) and also served as program vice-chair in 2006 for the Tucking Law Conference. A frequent lecturer on issues related to the trucking industry, June has worked tirelessly to help change the public's perception that trucks are dangerous and trucking companies engage in unsafe practices. After graduating law school, June served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Sydney Hoffman of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. |
Patrick E. Foppe Partner
Lashly & Baer PC
Patrick E. Foppe, is a partner with Lashly & Baer PC in St. Louis. He frequently handles claims involving insurance defense, premises liability, personal injury, complex commercial motor vehicle accidents, products liability, wrongful death and general negligence. In addition, he conducts rapid response investigations to serious accidents as part of Lashly & Baer's Rapid Response Team. Patrick serves on DRI's Trucking Law Committee's Steering Committee and is Chair of Publications. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Transportation Lawyers Association's Membership Committee. Patrick has an "AV Preeminent" Peer Rating™ with Martindale-Hubbell®. He has received numerous awards for his pro bono work, community service, and professional accomplishments. Patrick is also a regular author and is an invited speaker by many industry groups. Patrick and his wife Kate have seven children. |
Bryan C. Garcia Founder and President
Garcia Law Group LLC
Bryan C. Garcia is the President of the Garcia Law Group, LLC. Mr. Garcia has experience at all phases of federal and state court litigation. His practice is almost exclusively civil litigation. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has repeatedly been named to the Southwest Superlawyer, Rising Star list. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law. He is a past director of the Defense Research Institute and he is admitted into the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. He regularly teaches CLEs on a variety of litigation and law office managment related topics. |
Monica Gardner, MS, CSP McLane Company Inc
Monica Gardner, MS, CSPwith McLane Company Inc ., is a safety professional with 16 years experience in environmental, safety and health management across multiple industries including steel manufacturing, tire manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation. Graduated from West Virginia University with a Master's of Science in Safety Management. Director of Safety for McLane Company Inc for the past 5 years with responsibilities for Accident/Injury Prevention, OSHA, EPA, and DOT compliance. |
Terrence L. Graves Shareholder
Sands Anderson PC
Terrence L. Graves is a shareholder in the firm of Sands Anderson PC in Richmond, Virginia where he is the co-chair of the firm's Litigation Group. His practice focuses on the defense of transportation, toxic tort, premises liability, and general insurance defense matters involving catastrophic injury and property damages. Mr. Graves also specializes in handling legal malpractice claims(defense) and first party insurance disputes on behalf of insurers. Mr. Graves is an active member of DRI, the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. He has been listed in America's Best Lawyers in Transportation Law and Personal Injury Defense since 2012. He is a past-President of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. He has been listed as a member of Virginia's Legal Elite and Virginia's Super Lawyers for 10 plus years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and currently serves as the Chair of the Virginia Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Terrence is the Program chair for the 2020 DRI Trucking Law Seminar. |
Matthew S. (Matt) Hefflefinger Shareholder
Heyl Royster
Matthew S. (Matt) Hefflefinger is a Shareholder in the Peoria, Illinois office of Heyl Royster Voelker & Allen PC and is Chair of the firm's Trucking Practice Group. His practice is devoted primarily to the defense of complex personal injury cases in the trucking and construction industries. Matt is an aggressive advocate who has tried many cases to verdict and is frequently contacted by clients immediately after a catastrophic loss to help develop the facts and case strategy. He is a frequent presenter on a variety of litigation related topics at local and national legal seminars. Matt is the currently the Chair of the DRI Trucking Law Committee. |
Jerry Hill AAA Cooper Transportation Inc.
Jerry Hill is the claims manager for Automobile Liability Losses at AAA Cooper Transportation. He has been employed by AAA Cooper Transportation for more than 29 years. He oversees the auto liability claims at AAA Cooper's 80 + service centers in 15 states and Puerto Rico. He is also directly involved in all litigated claims and attends mediations and trials around the country. Jerry is a graduate of the University of Mississippi. |
Renea E. Hooper Partner
Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson and Feary PC
Renea E. Hooper is a partner with Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary. Ms. Hooper was admitted to the Illinois and Indiana bars in 2006. She regularly defends motor carriers and insurers in state and federal trial court litigation involving highway accident claims. She is a member of the Illinois, Indiana and Indianapolis Bar Associations; an Indianapolis Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow; a member of Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana; and a member of DRI where she serves as the Membership Retention Vice Chair of the Trucking Law Committee. |
Debra D. Houston Dir. of Risk Management
FirstFleet Inc
Debra D. Houston is the Director of Risk Management for FirstFleet, Inc., a Tennessee based dedicated contract carrier with over 3000 power units and more than 3600 employees in 38 states and 105 physical locations. Ms. Houston has been with FirstFleet since August of 1994 and works in their corporate offices in Murfreesboro, Tennessee overseeing the claims management, litigation and administration for all commercial lines of coverage. Previously she was with ITT-Hartford. Ms. Houston is a University of Missouri graduate. |
DeRay Johnson McLane Company Inc
DeRay Johnson has been with McLane Foodservice for over 10 years as a Driver teammate. DeRay and his wife, Tiffany have 3 sons: Daitierl (20 years old), Deravien & Donaven (16 years old). They reside in Red Oak, TX. DeRay enjoys listening to music and golfing in his free time. He says he "does his job safely so he can get back home to his family every day." DeRay has been driving trucks since 2003. |
David L. Jones Partner
Wright Lindsey & Jennings LLP
David L. Jones is a partner in Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, and practices from the firm's Little Arkansas office. David represents clients in diverse industries, including transportation, construction, manufacturing and distribution, municipal, insurance, banking, education, healthcare, and real estate on issues related in actions involving personal injury, products and premises liability, property damage, and contract disputes. As part of his practice David advises clients on risk management, pre-litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and all aspects of civil litigation. From 2012 to 2016, Mid-South SuperLawyers recognized David as a Rising Star in General Litigation and in 2013 Arkansas Business recognized David in the publication's annual list of "40 Under 40" business and political leaders. In 2019, David was recognized in the 26th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. David has also garnered recognition from various local and state-wide publications. David currently serves as Chair of the DRI Construction Committee, and also serves DRI in various other capacities. |
Melody Kiella Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP
Melody Kiella with Drew Eckl & Farnham is an experienced litigator specializing in the defense of transportation/trucking and catastrophic personal injury claims. Melody has extensive experience in managing high-volume and high-profile trucking cases from the pre-litigation stages through trial and also serves in an advisory capacity for a wide variety of trucking companies and motor carriers. She is also involved in numerous trucking organizations, including the DRI Trucking Law Committee and Women in Trucking, and is dedicated to the issue of diversity in the legal profession and in the trucking industry. |
Eric J. Miersma Balestreri Potocki & Holmes
Eric J. Miersma is a Senior Attorney with Balestreri Potocki & Holmes in San Diego, California. He has over 20 years of experience in complex multi-party litigation, arbitration, and mediation representing Southern California trucking companies, builders, design professionals and general business owners in all aspects of complex litigation, transportation, and general liability matters. Eric brings a unique insider perspective to his practice from working in the transportation and construction industries prior to earning his law degree, giving him an incomparable understanding of his clients' business needs. He is a frequent speaker to industry groups and a published author in DRI's own In Transit magazine. |
Deborah C. (Debbie) Millsap Sr. Claims Litigation Specialist
McLane Company Inc
Deborah C. (Debbie) Millsap is a Senior Claim Litigation Specialist with Claims Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of McLane Company and their third party claims administrator. Responsibilities include handling DOT type accidents with attorneys and significant injuries as well as claim litigation in the western region of the country. McLane Company, Inc. is one of the largest supply chain service leaders, providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions for convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores and chain restaurants throughout the United States. McLane, through McLane Grocery and McLane Foodservice, operates over 80 distribution centers across the U.S. and delivers more than 50,000 different consumer products to nearly 110,000 locations across the U.S. McLane is a wholly owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and employs more than 20,000 teammates nationwide. |
Jim Mullen Chief Legal Counsel
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Jim Mullen is the Chief Counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation. He is responsible for legal policy on all aspects of Agency programs and activities including the development, issuance, interpretation, enforcement, and defense of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) before state and federal courts. He also supervises a team of approximately 40 attorneys that provide legal support on budget, procurement, fiscal law, ethics, personnel and employment related matters. Prior to joining the FMCSA, Mr. Mullen was President of Mullen Consulting, LLC. Utilizing the experience, knowledge and expertise developed over a decade as an executive in the trucking and logistics industry, Mullen provided consulting services in the areas of legislative and regulatory affairs and legal matters. The Firm specialized in transportation, infrastructure and border trade issues Prior to forming Mullen Consulting in 2016, Mr. Mullen was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Werner Enterprises, Inc, an international transportation and logistics company with operations in over 25 countries. Mullen was with Werner from 2006 through 2016, and managed a portfolio of the Legal, Risk, Safety and Government Relations Departments. Jim was a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Trucking Associations and served on numerous boards of other transportation organizations. |
Paul W. Murphy Murphy Legal
Paul W. Murphy is the owner of Murphy Legal, a Texas-based commercial defense firm. Murphy Legal handles claims throughout the State of Texas for wrongful death, catastrophic collisions, personal injury, premise liability, construction matters, and business disputes, and advises clients on regulatory compliance and safety matters. Paul is a graduate of the South Texas College of Law and is Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Paul is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA), the Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), and the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA). |
Kristen Nowacki Staff Coverage Counsel
Canal Insurance Company
Kristen Nowacki is a staff attorney at Canal Insurance Company, a commercial truck insurer based in Greenville, South Carolina. At Canal, Kristen works with the claims and underwriting departments to assess and respond to coverage and other issues. She also manages coverage and appellate litigation and prepares and presents coverage training for adjusters and underwriters. Prior to joining Canal, Kristen practiced transportation and commercial real estate law at a firm in Greenville and clerked for a Senior U.S. District Court Judge. She obtained her J.D. from Notre Dame Law School and B.A. from Emory University in Atlanta. |
Shane O'Dell Associate
Naman Howell Smith & Lee PLLC
Shane O'Dell is the Managing Member of the Fort Worth, Texas office of Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC. Shane represents clients throughout the state of Texas from the initial emergency response, to pre-suit investigation, and through trial. Shane's goal is to effectively and efficiently advise his clients to make sound business decisions from the initial investigation throughout the judicial process. Shane is a member of DRI's Trucking Committee and IADC. |
Alyssa Parker, PhD Litigation Consultant
Courtroom Sciences Inc
Alyssa Parker, PhD is a Litigation Consultant at Courtroom Sciences, Inc., a full-service, national litigation consulting firm. Anchored in the science-practitioner model, Dr. Parker integrates theory and acumen in litigation research and consultation. Her experience in evaluating complex psychological concepts and designing sound research methodology translates into powerful insights and informs maximally effective litigation strategies, bridging the gap between psychology and law. Dr. Parker is a published author and has been a speaker in a variety of venues nationwide. |
Stephen G. (Steve) Pesarchick Partner
Sugarman Law Firm LLP
Stephen G. (Steve) Pesarchick has been a partner with the Sugarman Law Firm LLP, in Syracuse, New York, since 1994. His practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury and property damage cases. His civil litigation experience includes motor carrier accidents, farming accidents/issues, transportation accidents, fire claims, construction accidents, product liability cases, and automobile accidents. He has successfully handled countless cases in New York state and federal courts. As an active DRI member, he chaired the 2017 DRI conference titled "Outsmarting the Trucking Reptile at Trial;" from 2011-2016 he was the editor of In Transit, the newsletter of DRI's Trucking Law Committee; and he is a frequent speaker at many national trucking and fire loss seminars.Steve is the Trucking Law Committee Vice Chair. |
J. Randall Price, PhD Price Proctor & Associates LLP
J. Randall Price, PhD has maintained an independent practice of clinical psychology and neuropsychology since 1983. He is the Senior Partner at Price, Proctor & Associates in Dallas, a group practice of 6 forensic psychologists. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and completed a clinical internship at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas, Texas and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Most recently, he completed a graduate certificate in Veterinary Forensic Science at the University of Florida, which is related to his pro bono work conducting forensic psychological evaluations in cases of animal cruelty. Dr. Price is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Richland College, having taught there for 40 years. Currently, he is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and Board Certified in Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. He is licensed to practice psychology in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. |
Laurence J. (Larry) Rabinovich Partner
Barclay Damon LLP
Laurence J. (Larry) Rabinovich has focused on transportation coverage and regulatory issues since he joined the Schindel Farman trucking law boutique in 1986. After that firm closed, Larry brought his practice to Barclay Damon where he became the leader of the firm's transportation team. His clients include many of the leading transportation insurers. He works with underwriters on risk assessment and policy forms, and with claims managers and adjusters Among the services Larry and his insurance coverage colleagues provide are opinion letters, reservation of rights letters and declinations, declaratory judgment actions and appeals. He is also a frequent lecturer and CE provider offering classes in handling truck claims, commercial UM/UIM, the MCS-90, non-trucking risks, UIIA/UIIE and other topics. Larry also works directly with motor carriers on their contracts with brokers and shippers and compliance issues. Larry is currently in the final stages of completing a book on the MCS-90. |
Carole Ridgeway Maverick Transportation LLC
Carole Ridgeway is Senior Claims Manager for Maverick Transportation LLC, a Little Rock, AR based, industry leading, privately owned carrier in business nearly 40 years. Maverick operates over 1500 tractors and provides truckload services throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico hauling in the flatbed, glass and specialized divisions such as machinery and marine transport. Carole has been with Maverick the last 21 years and has been in the industry 35 years. She currently manages the transportation liability, cargo and subrogation team for Maverick as well as working with outside defense counsel across the country as emergency response and civil litigation matters arise. She is an active TIDA Board Member for 8 years and currently serves as Board Secretary. She has served on the Executive Counsel in creating Claims and Litigation Management's Claims College School of Transportation and is an instructor for two of the courses since 2013 and is currently the co – Dean of the School of Transportation. |
Cristy Mark (C.M.) Schade, MD, PhD Advanced Pain Solutions
Cristy Mark (C.M.) Schade, MD, PhD has over 40 years of experience in the treatment of chronic pain. He is practicing Pain Medicine at Advanced Pain Solutions in Mesquite (the Dallas Metroplex ), Texas. He is ABA Board Certified in Pain Management, a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice and a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, American Board of Pain Medicine, Academy of Integrative Pain Management and American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. He has subspecialized in the diagnosis and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, see his web site cmschade.com. Dr. Schade has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado. Lt. Colonel Schade also served 10 years with the US Air Force as a Flight Surgeon and served as the Air Force Surgeon General's Consultant in Chemical Warfare. He is a pioneer in the field of spinal cord stimulation and has made multiple contributions that have advanced spinal cord stimulation and pain therapies and has gained national recognition for his work. Dr. Schade is also a strong supporter of patient rights and is a Director Emeritus of the Texas Pain Society, Past-President of the Texas Pain Society and the Greater North Texas Pain Society, a Texas Medical Association Delegate and represents Pain Medicine on the Texas Medical Association's Interspecialty Society, and has been the Pain Medicine Delegate on the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee. |
Christopher T. (Chris) Sheean Partner
Swanson Martin & Bell LLP
Christopher T. (Chris) Sheean is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in the Chicago office where he practices in commercial, products liability and intellectual property litigation. He is a past chair of the DRI Commercial Litigation Committee, and is a frequent author and lecturer on products liability, class actions, trade secrets and unfair competition for various publications. Chris is also chair of his firm's Class Action Practice Group. As lead trial counsel, Chris has handled trials throughout the country. He currently serves as a member of the DRI Law Institute and is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School where he teaches trial advocacy. |
Janet Shelley Manager-Liability Claims
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc
Janet Shelley is the Liability Claims Manager for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Janet has been with Old Dominion for 17 years as a Liability Claims Representative, the Liability Claims Supervisor, and was promoted to Manager of Liability Claims in October of 2011. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is a less than truckload carrier with 22,000 employees, with corporate offices located in Thomasville, NC. |
William (Willie) Simmons UPS
William (Willie) Simmons began his career with UPS as a part-time employee in 1986 while in college at the University of Houston. After college, Willie continued his career with UPS as a Health & Safety supervisor responsible for workers compensation and auto accident claims management in Southeast Texas. During his 30+ year career with UPS and assignments across the US, Willie has managed the UPS casualty claim program for all 50 states and Canada. Currently Willie is a UPS Corporate Claims Manager responsible for UPS's casualty claims program in the eastern United States. This responsibility includes participating in claims reviews, mediations, trials, and litigation management as well as oversight of UPS claims managers and TPAs. |
Chris Spear American Trucking Associations
Chris Spear is a government relations specialist with over two decades experience on five continents, serving the transportation, energy and defense technology sectors. Mr. Spear is President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, advocating public policy on behalf of the nation's trucking industry. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Transportation Research Institute, the Northwestern University Transportation Center Advisory Council, the Congressional Award Foundation, the Louisa Swain Foundation. Previously, Mr. Spear was Vice President of Government Affairs for Hyundai Motor Company, serving on the Global Automakers Executive Committee; Vice President of Emerging Markets for Honeywell International, based in Bracknell, United Kingdom; and Vice President for Honeywell Government Relations in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, managing corporate interests in the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Latin America. Mr. Spear served in the US federal government as Deputy Representative for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Prior, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy. During his appointment, he was the President's Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Labor; Commissioner on the President's Mental Health Commission; and, Executive Committee Member of the US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Before his nomination, Mr. Spear worked as professional staff in the US Senate. Mr. Spear is a graduate of the Honeywell Executive Development Program, a recipient of Honeywell's Premier Achievement Award and was awarded the US Department of Defense Joint Civilian Service Medal. He holds a master's and bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming. |
John C. Trimble Firm Counsel
Lewis Wagner LLP
John C. Trimbleis the Firm Counsel and former managing partner of the 36 lawyer Indianapolis law firm of Lewis Wagner,LLP. He is a member of DRI, IADC and FDCC and is a member and Past President of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. John has received DRI's Fred H. Sievert Outstanding Defense Bar Leader Award, and has served on the DRI Board of Directors. He is the immediate past Chair of the DRI Law Practice Management Committee and is currently Vice Chair of the Law Practice Management Section of FDCC. He is also a recent past President of the Indianapolis Bar Association. John enjoys consulting and strategic planning for bar associations and law firms. His practice is devoted to the defense of catastrophic and complex claims in Indiana and elsewhere. |
Scott L. Turner Scott L Turner Consulting LLC
Scott L. Turner with Scott L. Turner Consulting is arguably the top expert in the US regarding Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crashes and how the FMCSR (Regulations) and standards of care apply to such crashes, equally important, "if" such regulations are in fact applicable to varying parties to the crash and/or incident. Scott's highly qualified and well rounded expert opinion is supported by approximately 30 years-experience in the highly specialized field of CMV crashes and/or incidents, including 16 years as the CEO of a national crash and incident response company. Historically, specializing in CMV accident recovery, investigation and forensic field research, Scott's career of service includes response and/or investigation to well over 1,000 Class 8 CMV tractor-trailer crashes, 200 cargo tank truck crashes/incidents and a multitude of industrial setting (loading rack) incidents involving CMVs. As a Level 1 FMCSA trained CMV roadside inspector, in addition to a plethora of other qualifications, and to being a former CMV driver, Scott's in-depth knowledge of the FMCSR; well-constructed reports to reflect the same; and, in-depth knowledge of applicable standards of care combined with confidently delivered reports and testimony are mere cornerstones of his practice. Scott has inspected CMVs thousands of times regarding FMCSA Level-1 post-crash inspections, FMCSA-CVSA roadside inspections at New Jersey Police operated scalehouses, and his own CMV inspections on pre-trip and post-trip basis when he used to operate CMVs. |
Ellen Voie President
Women in Trucking
Ellen Voie is the founder and President/CEO of the Women In Trucking Association and is an internationally recognized speaker on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in the transportation industry. Ellen formed the Women In Trucking Association to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might prevent women from succeeding in the trucking industry, and to celebrate the successes of women in the trucking industry. Prior to forming the Women In Trucking Association, Ellen worked as the Manager of Retention and Recruiting Programs at Schneider, Inc., as a Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in central Wisconsin, as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier, as the co-owner of a small fleet, and as a freelance transportation consultant. Ellen has also served on various boards and committees, including the FMCSA's Entry Level Driving Training Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association, and the ATA Safety and Loss Prevention Council's Recruiting and Retention Committee. Additionally, Ellen has been honored by many for her work in connection with the promotion of diversity in the trucking industry, including by the White House as the Transportation Innovators Champion of Change in 2012 and by the National Association of Small Trucking Companies as the Transportation Person of the Year in 2018. |
Gene F. Zipperle, Jr. Ward Hocker & Thornton
Gene F. Zipperle, Jr. is a partner with the law firm of Ward, Hocker Thornton PLLC with offices in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. Gene has litigated cases in a variety of forums including the state courts of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, the federal district courts in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and North Carolina, as well as the Fourth and Sixth Circuit appellate courts. His practice focuses on all aspects of transportation and trucking law, insurance coverage litigation, and insurance defense. He has more than fifty reported decisions in state and federal courts. Gene has participated as a speaker for several legal and industry organizations including The Transportation Lawyers Association, The Trucking Industry Defense Association, The Conference of Freight Counsel, The Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Association and several others. He has published several articles in the publications "For the Defense", "The Transportation Lawyer", and numerous trade publications. Gene has been selected as a "Super Lawyer" for the years 2013 through 2018. |