EDUCATION
Armored Trucking Academy By Bethany Sigler
The creation of Armored Trucking Academy has been a long time coming. Kris Grempler began CDL instruction while working for the Metro government in 2005. CDL licensure was mandatory for employees, but as Grempler watched friends and coworkers struggle to meet requirements, he began instructing. What began as a one-on-one, peerto-peer volunteer instruction quickly changed into professional one-on-one instruction. Grempler became a state licensed CDL examiner and soon found his talents to better fit within the private sector. In the private sector, he trained drivers for TDOT, IMI, Pepsi, Coke, BNA, UPS, 30 • CLARKSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL
FedEx, MAC Trucking and more. Soon clients approached Grempler about opening his own school. Grempler’s method and quality of instruction was second to none. Significant hurdles stood in the way of opening a private trucking academy. Primarily, the upfront cost is the reason there are not many privately owned and operated schools: it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. For that reason, the majority of trucking schools are owned by major trucking companies. The result is often a revolving door with high turnover and major burn out. Graduates are certified and put to work without any semblance of personal touch. ATA goes against the grain, and
is founded on a culture of inclusion. ATA is passionate and intentional about supporting our military. All staff, including instructors are either military spouses, veterans, or family of military. In fact, their students have a 75% soldier to civilian ratio. ATA helps with their transition. The 8-5 Monday-Friday class helps give soldiers structure as they transition out of the military. Because of the frequency and duration of deployments, transitioning soldiers are also well suited to cope with life on the road. Grempler says, “Anyone can drive, that’s not the problem. It’s the mental side. Soldiers are prime candidates.” Working with Campbell
