Towing Recovery Trucking Liability Expert Witness

Certifications

• Towing and Recovery Operations
• DOT/FMCSA-governed trucking/ transportation
• Safety Policies and Procedures
• General Transportation Operations
• FMCSA Subject Matter Expert
• Towing and Trucking Liability
• Industry Compliance and Training
• Hours of Service Issues
• Smith System and OSHA Certified
• Hazardous Materials
• Drug & Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Transportation Safety Expert Witness
• Consultant on Transportation Safety Issues
• Expert Witness depositions and testimony
• Specializes in Towing and Recovery Operations

Total Transportation Training 2008 – Present
FMCSA Subject Matter Expert, Owner
• Specializing in the trucking and towing industries
• Direct DOT compliance consultant
• Trainer and advisor to transportation company owners
• Responsible for human resources actions, interviewing applicants, hiring, terminations, training for new employees and refresher training for current employees.
• Training personnel on all aspects of safe vehicle operation, equipment used, and methods per industry standards.
• Consult/advise attorneys on towing and trucking liability matters
• Provide expert witness investigation and formal reporting in these areas.
• Writes curriculum for online training modules.

Tow Professional Magazine, Over The Mountain Media 2016 – Present
Editor / Columnist
• Writes, edits, and maintains a primary column in this strong towing industry production with thousands in print copy and millions of digital versions.
• The column, “An Expert Witness,” is written primarily for information aimed at towing business owners and managers and is designed to help maintain legal and efficient business operation while avoiding litigation.
• Editor works directly with the magazine owner and publisher to maintain a professional column and additional articles.
• Magazine is published monthly and quarterly in print and digital formats, plus there are major annual versions geared towards advertising strategic industry products groups.

jameslewiswrites, LLC 1997 – Present
Columnist, Author, Motivational Speaker
• Syndicated columnist with Law Enforcement Today and Tow Professional magazines, contributes technical knowledge and political commentary.
• Published author in multiple genres including self-help, motivation, fiction, and
transportation training.
• LinkedIn content creator and influencer.

Valley Automotive Consulting 2001 – Present
Technical Expert Witness / Consultant
• Automotive-related investigative and consulting business.
• Investigate, consult and appraise in areas of dealer fraud, Lemon Law, breach of warranty; provide formal reporting, expert testimony, technical inspections and dealership service and sales department policy review in over 12,000 cases.
• Perform vehicle valuation reports and appraisals.
• Consult on towing and trucking industry matters.
Smith Towing / Interstate Towing / Perry’s Wrecker Service 2020
Safety Director / Division Manager
• Directed safety practices, training and compliance for this large, multiple-location light-, medium-, and heavy- duty towing and recovery service.
• Conducted advanced training courses for employees and adjacent towing company employees.
• Operated diesel-powered rotator ultra-heavy recovery units, Landoll trailers, and other specialty equipment.
• Served as Human Resources Director, ensured compliance with Texas and federal employment guidelines, OSHA safety standards, and DOT and Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) safety and administrative regulations.

Freymiller Transportation 2017
Full-desk recruiter
• Responsible to the recruiting manager for complete, start-to-finish recruiting of
prospective drivers for 600+ truck company.
• Worked with a team of a manager, two other recruiters, and a verifications specialist, averaging 6 drivers per week to fill a 15-20 weekly orientation with less than 5% rejection or no-show rate.
• My drivers averaged a 45% retention rate at 90 days, nearly double the company
average.

CRST Van Expedited & CRST Malone 2014
Terminal Manager / Safety Manager / Driver Trainer
• Supervised the safety and training staff, conducted orientation classes, and supervised driver logistics for arrival of new hires.
• Conducted Smith System training, DOT HOS, HAZMAT, and company-specific training.
• Revised, updated and added curriculum in a variety of areas to modernize the CRST Orientation Program.
• Attended the 40-hour Human Resources Course given on-site at CRST by Iowa State University.
• Operated and trained on flatbed and specialty equipment, to include oversized loads,
overweight loads, and unusual equipment.
• Trained and versed in DOT specialty carrier rules and policies, as well as DOT hours of service and other compliance areas.
• Cross-trained weekly with load planners, dispatchers, corporate training staff, and maintenance/breakdown personnel.

Haney Truck Lines 2012 – 2013
Full-Desk Recruiter / OTR Driver Recruiter
• Responsible to the director of human resources, independent position with another recruiter on staff, direct approach and honesty turned recruiting results from 2-3 drivers every other week to 7-8 drivers every week in a company rapidly losing older drivers to retirement and attrition.
• After 6 months, switched to a driving position where I actively recruited from the field,
adding 2-3 drivers per week.

Universal Technical Institute 2005 – 2007
Technical Instructor
• Provided training, supervision and motivation for automotive technical school students in the nation’s leading automotive technical school. Taught in automotive (cat truck) and diesel (heavy truck) sections/courses.
• Actively motivated and recruited students as a member of the Volkswagen Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) recruiting team. Attended a 40-hour Human Resources course given on-site by MANTEC.
• Completely revamped and rewrote the “Undercar” class curriculum to modernize and streamline the presentation, allowing for newly-acquired teaching and learning methods to be incorporated in cadre material.
• Provided initial training in “Keys to Success” professionalism training and training in Undercar (Preventive Maintenance, Tires/Wheels, Suspension, Steering and Alignments), Basic Engines, and Hot Rod University’s Bolt-On Performance courses.

Rosado Automotive Group 2000 – 2001
Service Manager / Service Advisor
• Managed, organized and dispatched technicians for Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Daewoo and Indian/Suzuki Motorcycle dealership service department.
• Responsible for service technician scheduling, reporting job progress to customers and selling needed service work.

Lithia Honda, Lithia Automotive Group 1999 – 2000
Finance and Insurance Director
• Managed finance manager staff for the Honda/Volkswagen/Suzuki/Isuzu superstore.
• Responsible to general manager for all financial aspects of vehicle sales; authorized spot deliveries; negotiated with lenders; met lenders’ stipulations; sold consumer and vehicle protection products.
• Evaluated trade-in vehicles, purchased auction vehicles, supervised and trained the sales staff.

Airport Cadillac/Chevrolet (Lithia Automotive Group) 1997 – 1999
Service Manager
• Managed busy General Motors service department with 6 service advisors, a warranty administrator, a quality control foreman, 40-42 technicians, 28 bays, handling car, truck, motorhome and medium duty truck warranty and customer-pay work.
• Assisted the sales department by evaluating trade-in vehicles.

• Maintained excellent GM CSI statistics and generated unique and entertaining ways to advertise and reward customers for good “behavior”.
• Conducted weekly recurring training for technicians and held regular customer “vehicle familiarity” seminars.
Super Shops, Inc 1994 – 1997
Regional Operations Manager
• Supervised retail store managers in eleven locations for this large high-performance automotive parts and service organization.
• Initiated and supervised “Operation Safe Streets”, a joint effort with local police agencies to hold hot-rod related events and curb street racing through awareness and alternate activities.
• Trained and certified service technicians and sales associates.
• Responsible to corporate management for sales goals, employee training, counseling and regional human resources management.
• Attended a 45-hour course on Human Resources given on-site by the University of California-Poly Technic.

Fremont Motor Company 1992 – 1994
Commercial Sales Manager / Finance Manager
• Fleet sales focal point for dealer group’s three dealerships including Ford, Lincoln/ Mercury, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep/Eagle, GMC Truck and Toyota vehicles.
• Responsibilities included trade-in evaluation, auction purchasing, commercial leasing, commercial sales and municipal sales.
• Supervised and trained the sales staff.

United States Air Force Reserve 1992 – 2003
First Sergeant / Military Training Instructor
• Revised, designed, and updated curriculum designed for the ancillary training of personnel in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Naval Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve.
• Conducted training classes and simulations, exercises and evaluations for Guard and Reserve personnel during monthly and annual training.
• (USAF only) responsible for basic military training, USAF Security Police/Security Forces technical training, training at base level in the NCO Preparatory Course, as well as unit level initial and ancillary training on firearms, marksmanship, combat readiness, disaster preparedness, chemical warfare, and human resources.
• Achieved major decorations during deployments and campaigns.
• During base and command-level major exercises, served as part of the base Exercise Evaluation Team (EET) by planning, supervising, and executing base-level armed robbery and controlled and restricted area penetration exercises.

United States Air Force 1982 – 2003
Security Police / Security Forces Supervisor
• Managed base-level programs, conducted over 100 Staff Assistance Visits per year to help manage and maintain USAF Controlled Areas and funds resources as NCOIC, Resource Protection/Crime Prevention using the Crime Prevention Special Experience Identifier (SEI).
• Responsible for training and war-ready tasking for security and law enforcement personnel.
• Specialized in law enforcement investigations division work and Sniper Solo and Team training for the Emergency Services Team (EST/SWAT).
• Conducted civilian press briefings as Unit Communications/Public Affairs NCO.

ADDITIONAL TOWING EXPERIENCE

Allied Towing 2011
Police Contract Towing Supervisor
• Responsible for training, scheduling, vehicle maintenance of 15 person, 10 truck operation that is contracted for city police towing for two city zones.
• Aggressive, pre-emptive towing strategy and staging used to maintain a 30-minute
response guarantee with better than 99% on-time record.
• Company averaged over 1,400 calls per month, I averaged 240

Superior Automotive 2006 – 2007
Heavy, Medium and Light Duty Towing & Recovery Driver
• Responsible for timely, competent and safe response to state, county and local police towing events, as well as strong customer service while performing roadside assistance and towing for AAA, Cross Country, and other motorist clubs.
• Responsible for the sales calls, sales closing and initial setup of AAA, Cross Country and USAC motorist assistance clubs.
• Superior saw a significant, immediate jump in call volume and revenue that remains
steady today.

ARIPEN Recovery 2002 – 2006
Owner / Manager / Repossession / PPI Driver
• Responsible to vehicle lienholders/lenders for lightning fast, safe and uneventful recovery of repossession vehicles.
• Continually met deadlines days ahead of allowable schedule.
• Performed private party impounds at local businesses and sporting events in the Philadelphia metro area.
• Operated (primarily) a Dodge 3500 w/Chevron self-loader.
• Also responsible for training and certification of new personnel as well as ancillary
training for all personnel.

Star Towing 1998 – 2000
Heavy, Medium and Light Duty Towing and Recovery Driver
• 24 hour on-call position, responsible for immediate response to police tow calls, motor
club calls, and customer- and shop-generated calls.
• Performed private party impound towing.

Anderson Towing & Recovery 1994 – 1997
Heavy, Medium and Light Duty Towing and Recovery Driver
• Assisted owner in forming this elite company as the first hired employee. This company
is now both huge and strong.
• Responsible for 24 hour on-call towing of all types, with frequent long-distance tows and several very unique recovery situations.
• Assisted in fleet maintenance and kept a spotless truck.

Fastway Towing 1987 – 1990
Heavy and Light Duty Towing and Recovery Driver
• Worked up from small two truck company with one-ton sling type wreckers, to the area’s first flatbed, then a heavy truck (1966 Kenworth w/Holmes 750 and marine drag deck winch). Handled private/retail towing, shop towing, and police requested response.

CERTIFICATIONS

• FMCSA Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Certified Director of Safety
• OSHA General Industry Safety Certification
• Certified Instructor, Smith System Safe Driving Program
• Certified Instructor, FMCSA/DOT Hours of Service
• Certified Instructor, FMCSA/DOT Hazardous Materials
• Certified Instructor, “QUICK CLEARANCE”
• Certified Drug and Alcohol Testing Technician
• Certified Drug and Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion Testing Supervisor
• US Army Criminal Investigation Command Trained Hostage Negotiator
• Department of Defense Joint Police Group Accident Investigator/Incident
Reconstructor Certification
• (DC) Wreckmaster One Week Light/Medium/Heavy Recovery Course, Dallas, TX September 1989
• Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) Level 3 Certification
• Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) Incident Management Licensee (2010)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) Vehicle Storage Facility Licensee
• San Antonio Police Department City Towing Badge Licensee
• National Automotive Technicians Education Foundations (NATEF) Certified Instructor
• ASE-Certified Automotive Technician, also certified as a Service Consultant/Manager
(C-1)
• Southwest Towing Operators Certified Tow Driver