Driver Education Advisory Committee

The North Carolina Driver Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) advises and recommends to the State Board of Education how to implement the North Carolina Driver Education Strategic Plan and other issues related to driver education and traffic safety:

Advises and confers on matters pertaining to the establishment of rules necessary to carry out the duties of the Driver Education Program and the implementation of the North Carolina Driver Education Strategic Plan.
Reviews and updates guidelines for the operation of the Driver Education Program.
Promotes the positive effects of the Graduated Driver Licensing Program.
Fosters partnerships with the NC Division of Motor Vehicles including testing, instructor training, driving school regulations and related protocol.
Provides a communication channel between driver education and stakeholders.
Stimulates public awareness of driver education needs and contributions.
Serves as an advocate of driver education.
Influences driver education support through appropriate channels.
Lends credibility to driver education programs.

DEAC Meetings

These meetings are held from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. on the dates below.

August 15, 2023
November 28, 2023
February 20, 2024
May 21, 2024

Join Us

To access the Drive Education Advisory Meetings online, use this link to WebEx Meeting Watch previous meeting recordings on the Driver Education Advisory Committee Channel.

Link to access the DEAC Meeting Agenda

Contact: Cindy Taylor Phone Number: (984) 236-2937

Driver Education Advisory
Committee Members

DEAC Portal Login

DEAC Members

Tab/Accordion Items

Committee	Biography
Sherri Vernelson, Section Chief Sensory Support and Assistive Technology Office of Exceptional Children North Carolina DPI	Sherri serves as the Section Chief of the Sensory Support and Assistive Technology Section with the Office of Exceptional Children at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Sherri has twenty-six years of experience in education with three years of private school experience, ten years of public-school experience, and thirteen years at the State level. She is also a fellow in the Education Policy Fellowship Program. Sherri earned an M.Ed., in Special Education, a B.S. in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and an A.A. degree in Elementary Education. She holds a current NC teaching license in Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12) and Birth to Kindergarten.
Kevin Harrison, Section Chief Transportation Services Section District Operations Division North Carolina Department of Public Instruction	Kevin serves as the Section Chief for the Transportation Services Section at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and has been part of the Department for 16 years. He provides extensive knowledge in school bus transportation, vehicle safety, transportation policy, funding, and school bus and student safety.

Committee

Biography

Sherri Vernelson, Section Chief

Sensory Support and Assistive Technology

Office of Exceptional Children

North Carolina DPI

Sherri serves as the Section Chief of the Sensory Support and Assistive Technology Section with the Office of Exceptional Children at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Sherri has twenty-six years of experience in education with three years of private school experience, ten years of public-school experience, and thirteen years at the State level. She is also a fellow in the Education Policy Fellowship Program. Sherri earned an M.Ed., in Special Education, a B.S. in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and an A.A. degree in Elementary Education. She holds a current NC teaching license in Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12) and Birth to Kindergarten.

Kevin Harrison, Section Chief

Transportation Services Section

District Operations Division

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Kevin serves as the Section Chief for the Transportation Services Section at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and has been part of the Department for 16 years. He provides extensive knowledge in school bus transportation, vehicle safety, transportation policy, funding, and school bus and student safety.

Committee Member	Biography
Paul Dlouhy School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles	Paul currently serves as a manager for the School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit. He primarily manages the training and certification of school bus drivers for North Carolina Public Schools. The School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit also provides certification and oversight for the nearly 100 commercial driving schools in the state of North Carolina, and partners with the Department of Public Instruction and local to provide technical support, issuance of restricted instruction permits to students in the driver education program, and safety programs.
Daniel Carter, Safety Planning Engineer Highway Safety Improvement Program North Carolina Department of Transportation	Daniel is a Safety Project Engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He serves in the safety planning group where he uses safety analysis methods to inform NCDOT project priorities and alternatives. Prior to his role at NCDOT, Mr. Carter spent 15 years as a Highway Safety Researcher at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. During his years in research, he used his civil engineering background to address highway safety from the standpoint of infrastructure improvements. His research experience includes the areas of roadway and safety data, countermeasure evaluation, and pedestrian safety. Mr. Carter holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina.
Dr. Cheryl Leonard, Assistant Director (Chair) Governor’s Highway Safety Program North Carolina Department of Transportation	Dr. Leonard serves as Assistant Director of External Affairs working to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through the planning and execution of innovative traffic safety initiatives. She oversees state-wide programs which aim to eliminate preventable roadway deaths and injuries by supporting grants and safe driving initiatives, such as Click It or Ticket, BikeSafe NC, Booze It & Lose It, Watch For Me NC, Speed a Little Lose a Lot, Rural Roads Initiative and North Carolinas Vision Zero Initiative, Teen Dream Teams, to name a few.   In her earlier career as a highway specialist, she served on state and national committees effecting policy changes for traffic concerns with the National Sheriff’s Association as well as state committees focusing on the older and teen driver.  Dr. Leonard has over 30 plus years’ experience working in both local and state government agencies in the fields of emergency and public health services, transportation, and highway safety.     Dr. Leonard holds a BA degree in Political Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration in Personnel Administration, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration.
Tonya Faulkner, Regional Chief Examiner Driver Services/Driver License Unit North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles	Ms. Faulkner has been with the NC Division of Motor Vehicles since 2014. She has held the positions of Examiner, District Manager, Staff Development Coordinator, and now Chief Examiner of the Western District. She is graduate of Central Piedmont Community College and Queens University in Charlotte. She has a master’s degree from High Point University.

Committee Member

Biography

Paul Dlouhy

School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Paul currently serves as a manager for the School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit. He primarily manages the training and certification of school bus drivers for North Carolina Public Schools. The School Bus & Traffic Safety Unit also provides certification and oversight for the nearly 100 commercial driving schools in the state of North Carolina, and partners with the Department of Public Instruction and local to provide technical support, issuance of restricted instruction permits to students in the driver education program, and safety programs.

Daniel Carter, Safety Planning Engineer
Highway Safety Improvement Program

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Daniel is a Safety Project Engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He serves in the safety planning group where he uses safety analysis methods to inform NCDOT project priorities and alternatives.

Prior to his role at NCDOT, Mr. Carter spent 15 years as a Highway Safety Researcher at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. During his years in research, he used his civil engineering background to address highway safety from the standpoint of infrastructure improvements. His research experience includes the areas of roadway and safety data, countermeasure evaluation, and pedestrian safety. Mr. Carter holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

Dr. Cheryl Leonard, Assistant Director (Chair)

Governor’s Highway Safety Program

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Dr. Leonard serves as Assistant Director of External Affairs working to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through the planning and execution of innovative traffic safety initiatives. She oversees state-wide programs which aim to eliminate preventable roadway deaths and injuries by supporting grants and safe driving initiatives, such as Click It or Ticket, BikeSafe NC, Booze It & Lose It, Watch For Me NC, Speed a Little Lose a Lot, Rural Roads Initiative and North Carolinas Vision Zero Initiative, Teen Dream Teams, to name a few.  

In her earlier career as a highway specialist, she served on state and national committees effecting policy changes for traffic concerns with the National Sheriff’s Association as well as state committees focusing on the older and teen driver.  Dr. Leonard has over 30 plus years’ experience working in both local and state government agencies in the fields of emergency and public health services, transportation, and highway safety.    

Dr. Leonard holds a BA degree in Political Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration in Personnel Administration, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration. 

Tonya Faulkner, Regional Chief Examiner

Driver Services/Driver License Unit

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Ms. Faulkner has been with the NC Division of Motor Vehicles since 2014. She has held the positions of Examiner, District Manager, Staff Development Coordinator, and now Chief Examiner of the Western District. She is graduate of Central Piedmont Community College and Queens University in Charlotte. She has a master’s degree from High Point University.

Committee Member	Biography
Hygan Kapikian, Director Regional Affairs North Carolina Department of Insurance	Hygan currently serves as Director of Regional Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Office of State Fire Marshal. In her role, she oversees a team of Regional Directors who support all 100 counties. The Regional Director team provides constituent services, community outreach, and schedules events on behalf of Commissioner Mike Causey and the agency. Hygan has 18 years of experience in the Financial Services industry with emphasis on client management, operations, and staff development.

Committee Member

Biography

Hygan Kapikian, Director

Regional Affairs
North Carolina Department of Insurance

Hygan currently serves as Director of Regional Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Office of State Fire Marshal. In her role, she oversees a team of Regional Directors who support all 100 counties. The Regional Director team provides constituent services, community outreach, and schedules events on behalf of Commissioner Mike Causey and the agency.

Hygan has 18 years of experience in the Financial Services industry with emphasis on client management, operations, and staff development.

Committee Member	Biography
Bobby Dixon Director North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education	Bobby currently serves as the Director of Non-Public Education. Before joining the DOA, he served 25 years in public education, working in North Carolina schools from elementary to high school. During this time, he enjoyed serving in various capacities including testing coordinator, classroom teacher, assistant principal, compliance officer, and principal. Most recently, Bobby served as the founding principal of Chatham School of Science & Engineering, an early college high school in Chatham County. Bobby is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. He collaborates with the Department of Public Instruction to provide support in providing traffic safety education to all public and home school students. The Division of Non-Public Education issues driver eligibility certificates to all eligible Non-Public schools in the state.

Committee Member

Biography

Bobby Dixon

Director

North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education

Bobby currently serves as the Director of Non-Public Education. Before joining the DOA, he served 25 years in public education, working in North Carolina schools from elementary to high school. During this time, he enjoyed serving in various capacities including testing coordinator, classroom teacher, assistant principal, compliance officer, and principal. Most recently, Bobby served as the founding principal of Chatham School of Science & Engineering, an early college high school in Chatham County. Bobby is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. He collaborates with the Department of Public Instruction to provide support in providing traffic safety education to all public and home school students. The Division of Non-Public Education issues driver eligibility certificates to all eligible Non-Public schools in the state.

Committee Member	Biography
Lieutenant Kenley H. Russell Field Operations North Carolina State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement	Lieutenant Russell currently serves as the Assistant Director of Field Operations for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He has 24 years of experience with the State Highway Patrol. He serves as the State Highway Patrol liaison with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, NCDOT, Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), and NC Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors. Lieutenant Russell has worked with the North Carolina Traffic Safety Committee to promote various traffic safety initiatives. He has extensive experience in traffic safety and enforcement of private and commercial motor vehicle traffic to include conducting numerous Traffic Safety Presentations for local schools, civic organizations, and industry over his 24-year career. Lieutenant Russell has also held certifications through the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in the safety inspection of CMV drivers and vehicles transporting passengers, bulk goods, and hazardous materials. Lieutenant Russell received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University and graduated from the 72nd Session of North Carolina State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program (A.O.M.P.).

Committee Member

Biography

Lieutenant Kenley H. Russell

Field Operations

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Law Enforcement

Lieutenant Russell currently serves as the Assistant Director of Field Operations for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He has 24 years of experience with the State Highway Patrol. He serves as the State Highway Patrol liaison with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, NCDOT, Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), and NC Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors. Lieutenant Russell has worked with the North Carolina Traffic Safety Committee to promote various traffic safety initiatives. He has extensive experience in traffic safety and enforcement of private and commercial motor vehicle traffic to include conducting numerous Traffic Safety Presentations for local schools, civic organizations, and industry over his 24-year career. Lieutenant Russell has also held certifications through the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in the safety inspection of CMV drivers and vehicles transporting passengers, bulk goods, and hazardous materials.

Lieutenant Russell received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University and graduated from the 72nd Session of North Carolina State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program (A.O.M.P.).

Committee	Biography
Devin Tanner, North Carolina Driver & Traffic Safety Association (NCDTSEA)	Devin currently serves as the NCDTSEA President, a professional traffic safety association which provides leadership and support to North Carolina teachers and education of traffic safety professionals. He was a high school educator for twelve years teaching Driver Education, Physical Education/Health, and Earth Science. Currently, he is the Driver Education Coordinator for Wake County Schools which serves nearly 15,000 students annually.

Committee

Biography

Devin Tanner,
North Carolina Driver & Traffic Safety Association (NCDTSEA)

Devin currently serves as the NCDTSEA President, a professional traffic safety association which provides leadership and support to North Carolina teachers and education of traffic safety professionals.

He was a high school educator for twelve years teaching Driver Education, Physical Education/Health, and Earth Science. Currently, he is the Driver Education Coordinator for Wake County Schools which serves nearly 15,000 students annually.

Committee	Biography
Chad Aharon, Driver Education Coordinator Alamance-Burlington Schools In-House Programs	Chad currently serves as the Driver Education Coordinator for Alamance-Burlington Schools and taught social studies for 18 years until accepting his current position in July 2021. He also served for 10 years as a distance learning educator for North Carolina Virtual Public Schools. His commitment as a driver educator has been a rewarding career and he recently taught a second-generation student. Chad received his B.A. in Adolescence Education from the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh in 2003 and his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Technology from Grand Canyon University in 2006.
Asim McGill, Director of Student Involvement Martin County Schools In-House Programs	Asim currently serves as the Director of Family and Student Involvement for Martin County Schools. He is a twenty-one-year educator and has been certified to teach driver education for ten years. As a driver educator, he has taught several students who were the first member of their family to obtain a North Carolina driver license making a lifetime impact. Asim received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from North Carolina Central University in 2001 and his Master of School Administration from East Carolina University in 2010.

Committee

Biography

Chad Aharon, Driver Education Coordinator

Alamance-Burlington Schools

In-House Programs

Chad currently serves as the Driver Education Coordinator for Alamance-Burlington Schools and taught social studies for 18 years until accepting his current position in July 2021. He also served for 10 years as a distance learning educator for North Carolina Virtual Public Schools. His commitment as a driver educator has been a rewarding career and he recently taught a second-generation student.

Chad received his B.A. in Adolescence Education from the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh in 2003 and his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Technology from Grand Canyon University in 2006.

Asim McGill, Director of Student Involvement

Martin County Schools

In-House Programs

Asim currently serves as the Director of Family and Student Involvement for Martin County Schools. He is a twenty-one-year educator and has been certified to teach driver education for ten years. As a driver educator, he has taught several students who were the first member of their family to obtain a North Carolina driver license making a lifetime impact.

Asim received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from North Carolina Central University in 2001 and his Master of School Administration from East Carolina University in 2010.

Committee Members	Biography
Eddie Jordan, Owner Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas Commercial Schools	Eddie is the owner and operator of Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas. He served as a high school teacher and school administrator for Craven County Schools for seven years before joining the Jordan Driving School Raleigh staff in 2000. After eight years of working with JDS Raleigh, he formed Jordan Driving School of Carolinas which is the current contractor for eight school districts in North Carolina. His company is committed to upholding the highest quality of standards which has enabled JDS Carolinas to effectively serve the driver education community in the public and private sectors of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association. Eddie received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from East Carolina University in 1992 and his Master of Education in Administrative Education from Campbell University in 1997.
Craig Uzzell, Owner A+ Driving School Commercial Schools	Craig currently serves as the Operations Coordinator with Wayne County Public Schools where he has served twenty-seven years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and currently leads the Operations Department. Considering the decreasing public-school driver education teaching staffs, he saw the need to open A+ Driving School. The company was formed in 2011, and since that time has contracted with the Wayne County Public School System. A+ Driving School’s goal is to continue the high standards of traffic safety education for the district’s teens using only local teaching professionals. He received his Bachelor of Physical Education, as well as, Safety and Driver Education, and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from East Carolina University.

Committee Members

Biography

Eddie Jordan, Owner

Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas
Commercial Schools

Eddie is the owner and operator of Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas. He served as a high school teacher and school administrator for Craven County Schools for seven years before joining the Jordan Driving School Raleigh staff in 2000. After eight years of working with JDS Raleigh, he formed Jordan Driving School of Carolinas which is the current contractor for eight school districts in North Carolina. His company is committed to upholding the highest quality of standards which has enabled JDS Carolinas to effectively serve the driver education community in the public and private sectors of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.

Eddie received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from East Carolina University in 1992 and his Master of Education in Administrative Education from Campbell University in 1997.

Craig Uzzell, Owner
A+ Driving School
Commercial Schools

Craig currently serves as the Operations Coordinator with Wayne County Public Schools where he has served twenty-seven years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and currently leads the Operations Department. Considering the decreasing public-school driver education teaching staffs, he saw the need to open A+ Driving School. The company was formed in 2011, and since that time has contracted with the Wayne County Public School System. A+ Driving School’s goal is to continue the high standards of traffic safety education for the district’s teens using only local teaching professionals.

He received his Bachelor of Physical Education, as well as, Safety and Driver Education, and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from East Carolina University.

Committee Member	Biography
Bevan Kirley UNC Highway Safety Research Center	Bevan Kirley, M.S. is a Senior Research Associate at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Ms. Kirley’s experience and expertise focus on the behavior side of transportation safety with a particular focus on motorcyclist safety, occupant protection, and young driver safety. Her work in the young driver field primarily focuses on the role of parents during the supervised driving phase of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). Ms. Kirley has a M.S. in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Committee Member

Biography

Bevan Kirley

UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Bevan Kirley, M.S. is a Senior Research Associate at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Ms. Kirley’s experience and expertise focus on the behavior side of transportation safety with a particular focus on motorcyclist safety, occupant protection, and young driver safety. Her work in the young driver field primarily focuses on the role of parents during the supervised driving phase of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). Ms. Kirley has a M.S. in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Committee Member	Biography
Kelly Hatcher, Executive Director Child Fatality Task Force	Kella Hatcher, JD, has been the Executive Director of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force since 2015. In this role, she works on a range of policy issues that impact child health and safety, including issues related to motor vehicle safety. She has worked closely with experts and leaders in motor vehicle safety and currently serves on the Occupant Protection Task Force and the Impaired Driving Task Force for the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Kella received her law degree from the University of North Carolina and her undergraduate degree in professional writing from Purdue University.

Committee Member

Biography

Kelly Hatcher, Executive Director

Child Fatality Task Force

Kella Hatcher, JD, has been the Executive Director of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force since 2015. In this role, she works on a range of policy issues that impact child health and safety, including issues related to motor vehicle safety. She has worked closely with experts and leaders in motor vehicle safety and currently serves on the Occupant Protection Task Force and the Impaired Driving Task Force for the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

Kella received her law degree from the University of North Carolina and her undergraduate degree in professional writing from Purdue University.

Committee Member	Biography
Ebone’ Baker, At-Large Director, Guilford County North Carolina Parent Teacher Association PTA Representative	Ebone’ has worked with the North Carolina Parent Teacher Association for five years, with a focus on the organization’s DEI efforts for the past 2 years before joining the Board of Directors. As a member of the Board, she works with the Education Committee on initiatives that enhance the educational opportunities for the children of North Carolina. She also serves as the Vice President of the Guilford County Council of PTAs. Ebone’ holds a degree in Computer Network Systems and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Information Technology. She has over 15 years of experience in providing technology-based consulting services for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Committee Member

Biography

Ebone’ Baker, At-Large Director, Guilford County
North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
PTA Representative

Ebone’ has worked with the North Carolina Parent Teacher Association for five years, with a
focus on the organization’s DEI efforts for the past 2 years before joining the Board of Directors.
As a member of the Board, she works with the Education Committee on initiatives that enhance
the educational opportunities for the children of North Carolina. She also serves as the Vice
President of the Guilford County Council of PTAs. Ebone’ holds a degree in Computer Network
Systems and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Information Technology. She has over
15 years of experience in providing technology-based consulting services for small businesses
and not-for-profit organizations.

Committee Member	Biography
Owen Darrah, Senior High School Student Holly Springs High School Student Representative	Owen is a rising senior at Holly Springs High School who received his full provisional license in March 2022. After completing the driver education program, Owen completed the B.R.A.K.E.S. defensive driving program to further his safety and traffic knowledge. He is interested in politics, government operations, and military service.

Committee Member

Biography

Owen Darrah, Senior High School Student

Holly Springs High School

Student Representative

Owen is a rising senior at Holly Springs High School who received his full provisional license in March 2022. After completing the driver education program, Owen completed the B.R.A.K.E.S. defensive driving program to further his safety and traffic knowledge. He is interested in politics, government operations, and military service.

DEAC Meetings

Join Us

Driver Education Advisory Committee Members

Department of Public Instruction

Department of Transportation

Department of Insurance

Division of Non-Public Education

Law Enforcement

North Carolina Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association

Public School Unit Coordinators/Teachers

Commercial Driving Schools

UNC Highway Safety Research Center

NC Child Fatality Task Force

North Carolina Parent Teacher Association

Student Representative

Driver Education Advisory
Committee Members