CDL Training Puts Cesar in the Driver’s Seat

When Cesar enrolled in our CDL Class A truck driver training program, he was looking for more than a new skill; he was looking for a way to build a better future for himself and his sons. Thanks to support from the Educational Foundation that opportunity became reality.

Throughout his training, Cesar found more than technical instruction and insisted that it was the people who made the real difference. Program coordinator Don Russell and trainers Ken Baker and Glenn Rassi worked with patience, professionalism, and genuine compassion — including understanding and support during a personal mental health challenge that could have derailed his progress. Instead, their encouragement gave him the confidence to keep going. As Cesar said, “You never treated me like just another student. You made me feel valued, encouraged, and capable of achieving my goal.”

“You never treated me like just another student. You made me feel valued, encouraged, and capable of achieving my goal.”

Cesar has credited the program’s realistic equipment and simulators with preparing him for the realities of the road, preparation that paid off immediately. Cesar was hired by Maverick Transportation, one of the top flatbed carriers in the country, known for rigorous, high-standards training of its own. On his very first trip, after only a few hours of guidance, his trainer handed him the wheel — and after Cesar navigated two tight curves smoothly, his trainer’s response said it all: “Wow, that was excellent!” Cesar has been driving ever since.

Reflecting on his journey, Cesar has said he will never take the opportunity for granted, and hopes the program continues changing lives the way it changed his. Today, he is a confident, safe, and successful professional driver — and a proud example of what’s possible when compassion, quality instruction, and a second chance come together.