About Us
eGears provides nationwide e-learning solutions for CDL training and CDL test preparation. While the company was incorporated in 2009, its origin traces back to a truck driving school founded in 1987. Online CDL training isn’t a new business concept, but eGears goes beyond simple test answer memorization by actually applying the CDL knowledge in a practical easy to understand format. In a nutshell, it’s about teaching professional drivers the knowledge they need to drive safely and legally. The company training products are developed in-house by experienced truck driving instructors, certified CDL examiners and e-learning designers. With over 30,000 registered users, eGears customer base includes major transportation companies as well as several of the nation’s largest truck driving schools.
eGears was born from the idea that training to be a truck driver should and is more effective with the use of technology. But technology is not our biggest asset. Our people are. To bring e-learning for CDL training to reality, we rely on the creative skills and talents of our team.
Here is a little info about the people behind the scenes making eGears the number one choice for CDL training:
Mike Curts
President
Mike oversees the strategic growth of the eGears brand by taking an active role in the development, production and marketing of new products and services. Mike is the driving force (sorry for the pun) behind eGear’s objective to transform truck driver training through e-learning content which utilizes interactive multimedia.
Mike’s professional career began in retail management with Kmart Corporation. He later joined the truck driver recruitment firm Driver Solutions as marketing director. For over 15 years, Mike has been involved in the trucking industry helping the needs of professional truck drivers. In 2009, Mike helped launch eGears, which has grown into the most widely used e-learning tool for truck driver training.
Mike attended Indiana University with a major in telecommunications. He resides in the Indianapolis area with his family where he is actively involved in youth sports programs. He serves as board member for the Oaklandon Youth Organization and coaches a youth travel baseball team. When he is not coaching on the baseball field, Mike enjoys the companionship of his Beagles and watching his beloved Red Sox and Chicago Bears.
Luke Coyle
New Media Architect
Luke Coyle is behind the creation of the face of eGears. Whether you read it in print, seen it on the website, watched it in a video, or interacted with it in an app, Luke had his hand on at least some part visual experience you had with eGears.
Luke has been working in the multimedia industry for 7 years. He has had the opportunity to gain experience in a vast array of design related disciplines ranging from multimedia consultation to 3D reconstruction for litigation. Luke now focuses most of his attention on web design/development and interactive media. He is always striving to continue his education and loves being at the forefront of the industry's latest trends and practices.
Luke graduated from Indiana University Bloomington before moving on to get his Master of Science in Media Arts & Science from the School of Informatics at IUPUI. He currently lives in Indianapolis with his Wife, three dogs, and cat. And in near future he is looking to expand his family to even up the human to animal ratio in hopes to ultimately keep the animals from taking over the household.
Phil Tandem
Senior CDL Instructor
Phil Tandem is the online frontline of e-learning as the online instructor for all eGears courses. Phil draws upon his experience as a truck driver, an educator and businessman to provide a no nonsense approach to CDL training. Phil’s approach to instruction is to break down the dry, often confusing language used throughout the CDL manual into normal, everyday speech and communication. Working hand in hand with the multimedia team, Phil’s passion for both driving and teaching comes through in dynamic, effective CDL training courses and aids.
Kylee Wall
Multimedia Producer
Kylee Wall is in charge of the moving pictures that enhance eGears and make the learning process easier and more fun to use. Kylee brings another layer of interactivity to eGears through the use of video, sound, and motion graphics within the online learning system tutorials, online marketing, and other projects. She assists with taking eGears’ objective and sprinkling it with creative multimedia fairy dust.
With a degree in New Media, Kylee joined the eGears team in 2009 as our "guru of video." Her previous experience in customer service and endless video production internships provides a strong foundation for creating unique, meaningful, and relevant multimedia content. When not behind the controls of her eGears video editing suite, Kylee spends most of her free time working on personal video production projects to explore more creative opportunities to get the point across. Her preoccupation with all things video brings even more quality to the eGears user experience.
Kylee attended Indiana University at Indianapolis where she studied video and sound production with a computer science minor. She resides in the Indianapolis area with her husband and many cats. During the rare times when she is not doing something video-related, she enjoys photography, the outdoors, and yoga, or any combination thereof.
Derek McClain
Social Marketing Strategist
Derek McClain is the Social Marketing Strategist of eGears’ parent company. Derek is responsible for using multimedia tools and social networking strategies to connect directly with the eGears’ user. His goal is to help share the story of eGears online so others can find the product and engage in the eGears’ user experience.
Derek has been in the Internet and Technology arena for over 5 years now. He began his career with a web development and Internet marketing company out of Indianapolis, Indiana. He has worked with companies from every background to further their web presence and drive business through online marketing. Derek will use his experience in the industry to continue to share and grow eGears’ truck driver training e-learning content online.
Derek graduated from Ball State University with a Telecommunications Degree. He currently lives in the Indianapolis area with his family. He has volunteered his time and service with several community organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Muncie Children’s Museum and Secret Families (Christmas fundraiser for less fortunate families). Derek enjoys spending time with his family, watching the latest movies at the theater, and exercising regularly. He is a sports fan that enjoys watching all football teams and cheering for the Los Angeles Lakers.
