Three industry leaders will help guide Washington state truck-safety education, compliance and collision-prevention initiatives

OLYMPIA — Oct. 6, 2026 — Three members of the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) have been appointed to Washington state’s new Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council, which will guide education, training and compliance initiatives designed to reduce commercial-vehicle collisions and improve roadway safety.

• Appointees: Jim McSpadden of Skagit Transportation, Inc.; Elvin Horton of Integrity Safety Services, Inc.; and Angela Boudreau, M.Ed., of DRIVE509 Truck Driving School.
• Purpose: Advance commercial truck safety through education, training, regulatory compliance and collision prevention.
• Authority: The council was established by Substitute House Bill 2410, approved unanimously by the Washington Legislature in March 2026.

“A stronger emphasis on commercial truck safety benefits everyone traveling on Washington roads,” said WTA President and CEO Sheri Call “Targeted education and training can help commercial drivers prevent collisions, while a compliance-centered program can improve safety across the industry. It also makes good business sense for the industry,” she added. “For insurance carriers and motor carriers, claims from collisions lead to significant costs that are a lead cost of trucking companies. Fewer collisions lead to fewer claims, which can lead to more stable insurance markets for employers.”

In addition to three members from the trucking industry, the new council will also include the following appointees from the governor:

• the Chief of the Washington State Patrol, or the Chief’s designee;
• the Director of the DOL, or the Director’s designee;
• the Director of the Commission, or the Director’s designee;
• one member of the general public; the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;
• the Executive Director of the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) or the Executive Director’s designee;
• the Executive Director of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, or the Executive Director’s designee;
• the Executive Director of the Workforce Training and Education Coordination Board (WTECB), or the Executive Director’s designee; and
• one member from a labor organization recommended by the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC).

“It is our hope that this increase focus on commercial safety, informed by industry leaders, will ensure that future safety initiatives reflect real world operations on Washington’s roadways,” said Call.

“We’re excited to be a part of this process and to have WTA members participate at the table on this crucial training initiative.”

Brief bios of WTA Member Appointees are as follows:

Jim McSpadden, Owner, Skagit Transportation, Inc.
For the past nine years, McSpadden has served as an Owner and Executive Vice President for Skagit Transportation, Inc., and has been directly involved in developing and sustaining a safety-first culture focused on regulatory compliance, driver accountability, risk reduction, training, and operational excellence. He has worked closely with safety professionals, drivers, customers, and industry partners to implement best practices that protect employees, enhance fleet performance, and improve public roadway safety. Prior to his work with Skagit. McSpadden spent 12 years managing maritime seafood operations in Alaska, where he oversaw complex logistics, workforce management, regulatory compliance, and operational performance in one of the most demanding environments in North America.

Elvin Horton, DOT Compliance Consultant, Integrity Safety Services, Inc.
Horton is a seasoned commercial transportation professional with more than 23 years of accident-free experience operating commercial motor vehicles across interstate and intrastate routes, with a strong background in safety compliance, driver training, logistics, and fleet operations. As a Class A CDL holder with multiple endorsements, FMCSA training, DOT compliance experience, and prior Washington State COL employer­trainer certification, he brings practical, front-line knowledge of the challenges and safety priorities facing commercial drivers, carriers, employers, and the traveling public.

Horton is also former owner-operator of Brand E Transport LLC, Elvin also understands the business realities of small carriers, including dispatching, billing, budgeting, payroll, customer service, equipment decisions, and safe on-time delivery across the western United States.

Angela Boudreau, M.Ed., President and School Director, DRIVE509 Truck Driving School
Boudreau brings a unique perspective to truck safety and education by combining a lifelong background in teaching and curriculum design with executive leadership in commercial driver training.  Since July 2022, she has served as President and School Director of DRIVE509, a leading Washington State private vocational CDL training institution. She oversees all aspects of school operations, including curriculum development, instructor training, student proficiency, safety culture, regulatory compliance, and workforce partnerships. DRIVE509 provides Class A and Class B CDL training and serves hundreds of students annually, including individuals entering the trucking industry through workforce development programs, veterans’ benefits, and high school career pathway programs.

About the Washington Trucking Associations
Since 1922, the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) has served as the unified voice for the trucking industry in Washington. Member-supported, WTA is dedicated to advocating sound public policies, providing excellence in education, training, and information, as well as promoting a safe, dependable, and efficient trucking industry in Washington. For more information, visit www.watrucking.org.