Welcome to the TAI Instructor Section
Our instructors hold many certifications and are highly qualified individuals who have been selected foremost for their love of teaching. Our students do not want to 'waste' their learning time, our teachers do not want to 'waste' their teaching time and our clients do not want to 'waste' their training time - with this in mind our teachers have been trained to present the material in a format designed so that the students "get it".
Karen Rohrbach is the TAI office manager and one of the instructors. Before retiring from The Statesman Group, Karen was an Assistant Vice President and spent 25 years working in the MIS department as a computer programmer. She supervised and trained computer operators and other company employees on the computer systems. Karen works on program development and is also responsible for formatting the workbooks and designing the PowerPoint Slide Presentations.
Bob Adkins worked with the Birmingham Jefferson County Authority for 27 years before retiring and coming to work with TAI. Bob started his career with the BJCA as a Bus Operator & Route Trainer then moved on to Road Supervisor/Dispatcher later becoming a Defensive Driving Instructor for them. He investigated & reported accidents, trained the new operators, administered & monitored the Drug & Alcohol Program and helped with procurements. He was an Assistant in the Safety & Training Department, inspecting the operation & safety of new vehicles and developing & implementing new training programs before being promoted to Safety & Security Manager. Bob is a gifted individual who knows how to train on the student's level - he "trains" not "lectures."
Nancy Hudson is a past president of the Alabama Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and has over 25 years experience in traffic engineering with the City of Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department, the Alabama Highway Department, and as a Traffic Analyst with Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Nancy is currently with Alabama Operation Lifesaver and teaches for TAI in her spare time. In her capacity with AOL Nancy has trained thousands of people and hundreds of trainers. Nancy is one of those wonderful people that you have to say are "born teachers."
Morgan Earley was a junior-high school teacher before becoming an RN. Morgan holds a college degree in education. He brings a combination of his love for young people and his love for teaching.
Conrad Howell joined the Training Associates team in 2012. Before that, he spent a career in faith-based, non-profit administration. His work included all aspects of personnel, facilities management, fleet management and other general responsibilities. As an adjunct instructor with four different colleges, he has long enjoyed the interaction between teacher and student. From his perspective, the opportunity to teach/train is also an excellent opportunity to expand his own knowledge. TAI appreciates his belief that in a connected, interactive classroom, everyone wins.
Michelle Smitherman is one of our youngest instructors. Michelle attended UAB with a major in criminal justice. She is passionate about animals; regularly volunteering with local animal rescue agencies, fostering and adopting furry friends. Michelle spent 32 years in foodservice management and has owned several businesses during her career. She loves teaching defensive driving classes and is extremely aware of the challenges facing the younger drivers and their families. Michelle strives to help everyone become a safer driver and her quirky sense of humor adds a pleasant touch to her classes.
Other
instructors include:
David South
Phil Watson