Agenda | Midwest Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit 2025

Summit Agenda

Welcome to the 2025 Midwest Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit. The conference lineup was built to provide knowledge, help build connections and drive innovation in roadway and trucking safety.

Day 1 | Dec. 16

Check-In

7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

Start the Summit by checking-in at the lobby and enjoying a light continental breakfast before sessions begin.

Opening Sessions

8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Plenary Session I

✦ Neptune D/E

Welcome to the MCVSS kickoff! Join us for the official welcome by names and representatives from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, OST and Kansas State University.

Eric Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., P.E.

Kansas State University

Calvin Reed (Invited)

KDOT

Michael Christopher

FMCSA

Derek Barrs (Invited)

FMCSA

Sean Duffy (Invited)

US DOT

Dan Meyer

FMCSA

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Road Dog Trucking Broadcast

✦ Lobby

Enjoy real-time insights as Day 1 of the Summit is broadcasted live by Road Dog Trucking Radio.

K.C. Phillips

10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Plenary Session II

✦ Neptune D/E

National Transportation Safety Board | Amazon Transportation

Shawn Currie

NTSB

Brian Lawson (Invited)

Amazon

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch

Afternoon Breakouts

Session 1A:

Truck Leasing Taskforce: Findings, Impacts and Next Steps

✦ Neptune D/E

Time 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Larry Minor

FMCSA

Steve Viscelli, Ph.D.

University of Pennsylvania

Steve Rush

Carbon Express, Inc.

Todd Spencer

OOIDA

Session 1B:

Technology Advancements for CMV Safety

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

David Kidd, Ph.D.

IIHS

Sarah Yahoodik, Ph.D.

Volpe Center

Session 2B:

University Research 1*

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
*Session Title TBA

Kevin Heaslip, Ph.D., P.E.

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Larry Rilett, Ph.D., P.E.

Auburn University

Session 1C:

The High-Way: Safeguarding CMV Fleets — Data to Deployment — Tackling Drug‑Impaired Driving in Commercial Vehicles

✦ Pomona

Time 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Drug, alcohol, and multiple substance impairment in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations presents growing safety, regulatory, and operational challenges for fleets and the criminal justice system. This session moves from national data to deployable solutions, oral fluid screening technology, and practical training approaches. Attendees will review multi‑source crash and testing data, learn about the impacts of common and emerging psychoactive substances to include prescription/OTC combinations, oral fluid screening is a proven technology to assist in identifying drivers who could go undetected. This session will also include a module on employer-focused training models such as cannabis impairment detection workshops (“Green Labs”) to support fleet and safety managers.

Darrin Grondel

Responsibility.org

Chuck Deweese

Connecting Clients LLC

2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Break

Session 3A:

Economic Signals, Freight Flows and Safety Outcomes

✦ Neptune D/E

Time 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Andrew King

OOIDA

Matt Leo

CH Robinson

Session 3B:

University Research 3*

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
*Session Title TBA

David Noyce, Ph.D., P.E.

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Husain Aziz, Ph.D.

Kansas State University

Session 3C:

Speeding Workshop

✦ Pomona

Time 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Shauna Hallmark, Ph.D.

Iowa State University/Institute for Transportation

Jonathan Wood, Ph.D.

Iowa State University/Institute for Transportation

Reception

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Reception at the Kauffman Center

Join us for networking and refreshments at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, located at 1601 Broadway.

Day 2 | Dec. 17

Through the Day

Time 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Blood Drive

✦ Pomona

Help Save Lives!

Breakfast

7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Fuel Up

Enjoy a continental breakfast and connect with fellow participants before the day’s sessions.

Breakouts

Session 4A:

Combating Human Trafficking: How the CMV Industry is Making a Difference

✦ Neptune D/E

Time 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Whether perpetrated for commercial sex or forced labor, human trafficking – or modern-day slavery – is occurring along America’s roadways. Of the estimated 50 million victims worldwide, thousands of girls, boys, women and men are trafficked for sex or labor in the United States. This session will provide information about human trafficking in the Midwest and explore the innovative methods that the public and private sectors are using to join forces to combat this crime. Through collaboration, training and leveraging their networks to raise awareness, professional drivers, companies, inspectors, patrol officers, licensing agencies, etc. have a critical role to play in preventing and disrupting this crime.

Kylla Lanier

TAT

Tom Crawford

MoTA

Sgt. Ben Pomajzl

Nebraska State Police

Sgt. Zach Heard

Illinois State Police

Brian Grolmus

Ruan Trucking

Session 4B:

Investing in Safety: FMCSA Grants and How to Apply

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Isabella Marra

FMCSA

Leroy Taylor

FMCSA

John Lohmeyer

FMCSA

10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Break

Session 5A:

Fighting Back: Cargo Theft and Fraud in the Freight Supply Chain

✦ Neptune D/E

Time 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Lewie Pugh

OOIDA

Ken Riddle

FMCSA

Tom Liberatore

FMCSA

Ankur Saini

FMCSA

BK Smith

FMCSA

Session 5B:

University Research 2*

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
*Session Title TBA

Henry Brown, MSCE, P.E.

University of Missouri - Columbia

Samuel Durairaj

University of Kansas Medical Center

Zhu Qing, Ph.D., P.E.

University of Missouri - Columbia

Grady Carrick, Ph.D.

Enforcement Engineering, Inc.

12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

Session 6A:

Protecting Our Most Precious Passengers: Advancing School Bus Safety

✦ Neptune D/E

Time 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Curt Macysyn

NSTA

Nicolas Betts

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Blake Vargas

Caney Valley KS Schools

Session 6B:

University Research 4*

✦ Neptune A/B/C

Time 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
*Session Title TBA

David Hurwitz, Ph.D., P.E.

Oregon State University

Li Zhao, Ph.D.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Linda Hill, M.D., MPH

University of California - San Diego

3 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Transitional Break

Closing Remarks

3:10–3:30 p.m.

Closing Thoughts

✦ Neptune D/E

Winsome Lenfert

FMCSA

Summit Agenda

All times below are in central time (CT). **2023 Summit Agenda Details are being used as a placeholder**

8:30-10 a.m.

Plenary Session I

Neptune D/E

Eric Fitzsimmons

Hon. Quinton Lucas

Hon. Tyrone Garner

Michael Christopher

Lynda Tran

Hon. Robin Hutcheson

10-10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15-11:30 a.m.

Plenary Session II

Neptune D/E

Hon. Michael Graham

Jason Ahten

11:30-1 p.m.

Lunch

1-2 p.m.

Session 2 Breakouts

Welcome to the Product Marketing Summit Austin. Join us as our chairperson kicks off this incredible day, packed full of unforgettable sessions and learnings.

2-2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30-3:15 p.m.

Session 3 Breakouts

3:15-4 p.m.

Session 4

Neptune D/E

KC Phillips

Road Dog Live SiriusXM Channel 146

4-6 p.m.

Reception

Off-site

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Session 2A:

Safety at Truck Plaza/Truck Stops

Neptune D/E

Lisa Mullings

NATSO

Heather DeBaillie

Iowa 80 - The World's Largest Truckstop

Session 2B:

BIL Coordination/Implementation/Milestones

Neptune A/B/C

Sue Lawless

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Amy Schick

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Rick Backlund

Federal Highway Administration

Session 2C:

Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free Train-the-Trainer Workshop

Mermaid

Lisa Mullings

NATSO

Heather DeBaillie

Iowa 80 - The World's Largest Truckstop

Session 3A:

Gender Diversity in the Supply Chain

Neptune D/E

Ellen Voice

Women in Trucking Association, Inc.

Session 3B:

Truck Parking Research

Neptune A/B/C

Jing Dong-O'Brien

Iowa State University

Darcy Bullock

Purdue University

Session 3C:

Impaired Driving and University/State Partnerships

Mermaid

Darrin Grondel

Responsibility.org

Summit Agenda

We are in the process of confirming session details for the 2025 summit. The finalized agenda will be shared on this page once available.

Tuesday

Day 1 | Dec. 16

Day 1 Overview

8:30-10 a.m.

Plenary Session I

Neptune D/E

Eric Fitzsimmons

Hon. Quinton Lucas

Hon. Tyrone Garner

Michael Christopher

Lynda Tran

Hon. Robin Hutcheson

10-10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15-11:30 a.m.

Plenary Session II

Neptune D/E

Hon. Michael Graham

Jason Ahten

11:30-1 p.m.

Lunch

1-2 p.m.

Session 2 Breakouts

2A: Safety at Truck Plaza/Truck Stops
2B: BIL Coordination/Implementation/Milestones
2C: Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free Train-the-Trainer Workshop

2-2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30-3:15 p.m.

Session 3 Breakouts

3:15-4 p.m.

Session 4

Neptune D/E

KC Phillips

Road Dog Live SiriusXM Channel 146

4-6 p.m.

Reception

Off-site

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

1-2 p.m. Session 2 Breakouts

Session 2A:

Safety at Truck Plaza/Truck Stops

Neptune D/E

Lisa Mullings

NATSO

Heather DeBaillie

Iowa 80 - The World's Largest Truckstop

Session 2B:

BIL Coordination/Implementation/Milestones

Neptune A/B/C

Sue Lawless

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Amy Schick

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Rick Backlund

Federal Highway Administration

Session 2C:

Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free Train-the-Trainer Workshop

Mermaid

Lisa Mullings

NATSO

Heather DeBaillie

Iowa 80 - The World's Largest Truckstop

2-2:30 p.m. Session 3 Breakouts

Session 3A:

Gender Diversity in the Supply Chain

Neptune D/E

Ellen Voice

Women in Trucking Association, Inc.

Session 3B:

Truck Parking Research

Neptune A/B/C

Jing Dong-O'Brien

Iowa State University

Darcy Bullock

Purdue University

Session 3C:

Impaired Driving and University/State Partnerships

Mermaid

Darrin Grondel

Responsibility.org

Wednesday

Day 2 | Dec. 17

Morning Sessions | 8:30-10 a.m.

Session 5A:

University Research I

Neptune D/E

Session 5B

University Research II

Neptune A/B/C

David Noyce

University of Wisconsin — TOPS Lab

Cesar Andriola

University of Wisconsin — TOPS Lab

2:30-3:15 p.m. | Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

Session 3A

"Gender Diversity in the Supply Chain"

Karen Christensen

Women in Trucking Association, Inc.