Spencer McDonald
President and Founder of Thinking Driver
Spencer has over 30 years’ experience in driver training curriculum and instructor development. Spencer’s formal education is in psychology and motivation and he has brought these fields together with road safety and education to develop the attitude-based Thinking Driver programs. He is available for consultation and development, workshops and keynote speaking.
Reid Knutson
Chief Instructor, School Bus Division Lead
With over 35 years in the RCMP, Reid brings extensive experience in Driver Training, Law Enforcement training in New York and California, and was integral with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Integrated Security Unit.
Since 2009, Reid has focused his expertise on Student Transportation and leads the School Bus Driver Training Division responsible for school bus training across British Columbia in collaboration with the Association of School Transportation Services of BC.
Joe McKeown
Chief Instructor, Fleet Safety Division
A certified driver training instructor and assessment officer, Joe brings with him a wealth of experience in the transportation industry with over 30 years experience in load securement in the heavy moving industry. Joe provides leadership and operator and instructor driver training in Fleet Safety programs.
Sunny Jhaj
Chief Instructor, Academy Division Lead
A transportation specialist and an advanced driving instructional expert, Sunny has developed and delivered programs in the driving school industry and served as a Driving Examiner for ICBC. He brings his expertise to the Fleet Safety, School Bus and Academy divisions.
Vern Nystedt
Instructor, Manitoba
With over 40 years as a truck and heavy duty equipment operator, Vern brings with him extensive knowledge and experience in the transportation safety industry.
Kristy Gittens
Training Coordinator
Expertly matches the right instructor to deliver the best training for your drivers; handles the logistics of training, travel, site requirements and follows it all the way through to client invoicing, ensuring continuity and customer satisfaction.
Preetinder Singh
Instructor, Fleet Safety
Preetinder has over 21 years of experience in driving and fleet management. His background includes work as a driving instructor, fleet manager, and owner-operator. He specializes in long-haul driving, commercial vehicle operations, and defensive driving training. Preetinder is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, and is recognized for his customer service skills, attention to detail, and commitment to safety and compliance across fleet operations.
Braden Fox
Instructor, Fleet Safety
Braden Fox brings a diverse range of experience to the Thinking Driver team, with a strong background in Class 1 and Class 3 instruction, including MELT certification and air brakes training. With over a decade of experience in commercial driving, including work as a bus driver, tour guide, and owner-operator, Braden excels in both practical instruction and student mentorship. His professionalism, extensive knowledge of the industry, and commitment to helping students become safe, confident drivers make him a valuable asset to the Fleet Safety division.
Cal Shamper
Instructor, Fleet Safety
Cal is a seasoned instructor with over 40 years of experience in traffic safety, law enforcement, and emergency vehicle operations. Cal’s extensive background includes emergency response driving instruction, collision investigation, and the development of safety protocols. His expertise in collision investigation and advanced driver training brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.
