Introducing Mr. Dunlap

Introducing Mr. Dunlap

Mr. Dunlap is originally from Savannah, GA. He lived there for 13 years and then moved to the Upstate. He worked in a warehouse and has been working in that field since he graduated from high school. He was interested in truck driving from being around the trucking industry while working in various warehouses. “I decided to pursue getting my CDL so I could live a more comfortable life (financially).” Explained Mr. Dunlap.

“When I came to orientation at SBL Driving Academy, I liked that the school had manual transmissions, and a family environment. Everyone treated me like family from the time I walked in the door”. Mr. Dunlap also expressed that he really likes the instructors, “they show me respect”.  Mr. Braziel, Lead Instructor at SBL DA, stated “he {Mr. Dunlap} is an awesome young man. He is very polite and a lot of fun to be around. He represents himself in a very professional manner”. Director Bailey stated that, “He {Mr. Dunlap} is a family man and is trying to do something to better his family. Since he has been here, his wife and child visited the school so they could have a picnic lunch with him. He is progressing nicely and seems to be enjoying himself. He is always early for class and willing to learn. “

Mr. Dunlap is married and has 3 children; he likes to travel and loves to try different foods.  Sometimes you can catch him skateboarding on his lunch break. Mr. Dunlap is very interested in driving tankers and hopes to go to work for Superior Carriers after completing his program.

Meet Mr. Moffat

Meet Mr. Moffat

Mr. Moffat is originally from Eureka, Kansas. Before coming to truck driving school, Mr. Moffat worked on a ranch. His job varied daily on the ranch which included: fixing fences, herding cattle, feeding cattle, and driving heavy equipment such as: bulldozer, excavators, tractors, and trucks. On the ranch, when he was driving an 18-wheeler, he really enjoyed it and begun thinking about his future. Later on, Mr. Moffat decided to move to Duncan, SC to have better opportunities, which lead him to SBL Driving Academy. After completing Entry Level Driver Training, Mr. Moffat’s game plan is to “get experience in over the road trucking for a few years and eventually move back to Kansas and go back to ranch work. I plan on going to work for a company that transports food, my dad has done it for a really long time.”

Additionally, Mr. Moffat holds a technical certificate in gasoline and diesel engines. He volunteered at Eureka Fire Department for the county and the city for 4 years before moving to South Carolina. He is certified in swift water rescue and scuba diving (recovery purposes). When he is not at CDL School, he enjoys the outdoors such as fishing and hunting.

Mr. Moffat expressed that he really has enjoyed his time at SBL Driving Academy so far and the “instructors are nice”. Director Bailey said, “He [Moffat] has done very good for himself. He did not come here with a blank canvas; he brought a lot of knowledge with him. The cool thing is, you can take him a little deeper than the basic understanding, you know take his training to the next level”.

Mr. Moffat spent his first day on the range today, and it was clear from his huge smile that he is happy to be behind the wheel.

Introducing Mr. Dogan

Introducing Mr. Dogan Mr. Dogan is a native of Greenville, SC and still resides there with his wife and three children. In 2006, he was employed by a trucking company’s body shop. He worked on the trucks which sparked his interest in them. A few years later, he begun to work as a box truck driver, which made him even more interested in driving an 18- wheeler. Mr. Dogan said after he graduates, he may drive a “flatbed or a dump truck”. When asked about what he liked most about his training his response, “The staff is great! They are very dedicated.  The training has been wonderful, and I have made some friends along the way.” Mr. Dogan has done a magnificent job in his program at SBL Driving Academy. He is in his last phase of the course where students are tested on the range and on the road. Mr. Braziel described Mr. Dogan as “a good guy. He is a lot of fun to be around…. always upbeat and a very positive attitude”. Director of SBL Driving Academy said, “Mr. Dogan has such a great attitude. He is always laughing or smiling. He seems to also be a very dedicated family man.” Mr. Dogan is definitely on the road to success and we cannot wait to see where the path leads him.

February's Newsletter 2020

From the Director's Desk at 

SBL Driving Academy

Our last class graduated, and we finally have a disposition on them. They did an outstanding job in the classroom and on the range. This was apparent by their grade point average. The students' averages were above 90%. That is not an easy task to do. There is a magnitude of information that is passed out and given during their duration here. Our curriculum and information given is designed to make students problem solve in real world scenarios. That class is at a 100% success rate for CDL licensing.

Our newest Entry Level Driver Training class that begun in February is at a 100% pass rate on their Commercial Learner's Permit. The class average for driving on the road and in inclement weather. They actually begun night driving academic grades is a 90.99%. Our current class has had a lot of experience believe that the entire class should easily get their CDL and be gainfully this week. Based on reports from the instructors and observations of myself, I employed soon

Meet Mr. Castillo

  

Mr. Castillo is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. He came to the United States at 4 years old with his mom and dad. They moved to Taylors, SC., however, Mr. Castillo currently resides in Greer, SC. He works in the trucking industry already as a dispatcher. Mr. Castillo explained why he wanted to get his CDL, “It was combination of the stories from the other truckers coming in and out of my terminal. Plus, I enjoy the comradery that comes with trucking. It is one of the few industries you can get into with little education and still make good income”. Mr. Castillo explained that he “plans on doing dry bulk or getting into tankers for a few years then, I may come back and teach at SBL Driving Academy”. He also expressed the great experience he had at SBL Driving Academy and would really “enjoy instructing others wanting to get in the trucking business”.  

The entire crew at SBL Driving Academy enjoyed Mr. Castillo’s time with our academy. He was always very astute, punctual, and a team player. His instructors often complimented his ability to study even though he was working a full-time job. Mr. Bailey explained “Mr. Castillo’s story is truly inspirational. It makes me want to work even harder to ensure the student’s success.  And I would love for him to come back and work at the Academy once he has a few years under his belt”. 

Please Note: Mr. Castillo is a recent graduate of the Entry Level Driver Training program. Since this interview was conducted, Mr. Castillo obtained his CDL and has recently been hired by a local trucking company.

Introducing Mr. Miles

Mr. Miles is originally from Florence, SC. Him and his family moved to Spartanburg, SC for employment opportunities in 2015. Mr. Miles served in the United State Navy for 4 ½ years. He was stationed at Point Loma and at Pearl Harbor. While serving in the United States Navy, Mr. Miles built torpedoes. He also discovered his love of travel. He enjoyed going to different installations and traveling during his time of service. Mr. Miles also “enjoyed meeting new people”.

After his discharge, he started working in the manufacturing industry. He worked for a company that manufactured pharmaceutical and another who made eye products. Mr. Miles begun to get tired of the that industry and decided that he wanted to do something different. “I wanted a career where I could better support my family. Trucking is good money and steady, you can make as much as you want by how much you work” explained Mr. Miles. He is excited and motivated to obtain his CDL, and get into the industry. For someone who likes meeting new people and traveling, I believe that Mr.  Miles has made a good selection with the trucking industry. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Braziel have both described Mr. Miles as ambitious, intelligent, punctual, and hardworking; which explains why he has the highest academic average in class: 96.25%.