Guest Speaker

Marilyn Surber serves as the VP of Sales and Marketing at Drivers Legal Plan and was previously Head of Industry Relations at Tenstreet since 2019. Marilyn has been a part of the transportation industry since 2008. She is passionate about serving the transportation industry and is an advocate for transportation community. She has over 15 years’ experience in corporate communication, recruiting, safety and driver training. Prior to joining Tenstreet, Marilyn served in a number of roles with Melton Truck Lines and Hilti, Inc.

Jill Apperson brings two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and workforce solutions to the transportation industry. Her love for trucking began with five years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves as an 88N Transportation Coordinator, where she developed a foundational expertise in transportation logistics. 

Since 2016, Ms. Gildea has served as the deputy executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Ms. Gildea assists with ensuring that the activities of the Alliance align with the organization’s safety mission. Ms. Gildea is responsible for policy and government affairs at CVSA and oversees the Alliance’s grant activities. Prior to that, Ms. Gildea was the director of policy and government affairs for the Alliance.

Terri L. Dougherty, SHRM-CP, PHR, is a senior compliance expert on the human resources content team at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. She has been with J. J. Keller since 2011 and workplace wellness is one of her areas of expertise. She edits the LivingRight Employee Health and Wellness Training Advisor newsletter and contributes to the Employee Mental Health Advisor newsletter.

Grady joined WorkforceQA in 2023 following an accomplished tenure as President of Corporate Medical Services (CMS), where he served from 2012 to 2023. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the drug and alcohol testing and occupational health industry, Grady is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in regulated and non-regulated employee screening programs. His expertise spans DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol testing, DOT physical compliance, sleep apnea management, and the design and oversight of comprehensive workplace screening programs.

Emily Crane’s time with GTA began as a summer intern in 2005, marking the start of a career driven by a passion for safety and a commitment to excellence. Over the years, Emily has seamlessly transitioned through various roles within the association, demonstrating her dedication and passion for the industry. Before joining GMTA, Emily managed a flower and interior design shop in Roswell, GA, and her own cake decorating business, where she honed her leadership skills and attention to detail.

Kim Bartholomew serves as the Assistant Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast at Burlington English. A proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, Kim spent several years at UCF working in the Campus Life division while also teaching as an adjunct professor. She joined the Burlington English family in 2013 and brings more than 13 years of experience supporting adult English learners and helping organizations empower their workforce. Based in Central Florida, she enjoys collaborating with her Burlington English team and partnering with customers throughout the Southeast.