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Awards and Recognition

What Sets Us Apart from other Traffic Safety Programs?

We have consistently been the leader for improving drivers education in Minnesota.

Some of Mark and Deb’s accomplishments and awards pay off in a better driver education experience:

  • Regularly featured on local media as traffic safety specialist
  • Cathy Hensel Woman of the Year 2005 Award winner from DSAA
  • Founded the Association for Professional Driving Instructors of Minnesota (APDIM), 1997
  • APDIM President, 1997-1999
  • APDIM Vice President, 1999-present
  • APDIM Legislative Liaison, 1997-present
  • APDIM Board member, 2001-present
  • Safe Dakota Coalition member, (a Minnesota Safe Community project) 2006-present
  • Founding member of Safe Chicago Coalition, (a Minnesota Safe Community project) 2007-
  • Central Vice President, Driving School Association of the Americas, 2003-present
  • Driving School Association of the Americas (DSAA) member, 1996-present
  • DSAA Board of Directors member, 1999-
  • DSAA Legislative Committee Chair, 2003-present
  • Presenter at DSAA National Meeting, 1999 and 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Presenter at Idaho Association for Driving Business annual meeting, April 2006
  • Director of Religious Education, Sacred Heart Parish, Sacred Heart, MN 2006-present
  • Minnesota Legislative testimony given on traffic safety issues 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • Regular visits to Washington, D.C. to network with Congressional delegations and traffic safety agencies and programs.
  • Consultant and reviewer for recent edition of Propulsion’s Handbook Plus and Handbook Plus Workbook
  • Columnist for The Dual News, “Call to Action” since August 2004
  • Selected participant in the Driver Education Evaluation Guidelines Project funded by AAA Foundation, a national project that features the United States leading experts in traffic safety
  • Secured grant from Department of Public Safety for $10,000 to provide driving instructor training to instructors in commercial driving schools, 1999
  • First and only driving school in Minnesota to regularly offer and require structured parental involvement.
  • Only driving school in Minnesota with a track record of using the Skid Monster in a novice program.
  • Started and maintained the Driving Impact Panel for young drivers in Minnesota (over 20,000 parents and teens have attended.
  • Certified Skid Monster instructors
  • Received Governor's Meritorious Safety Award, 2004, Minnesota Safety Council