Speaker and Educator Resources
Looking for a presenter or educator for an event? Below are some people who can help you spread the word about safe driving in your school or community. Do you know of someone who may like to be included on this list? Let us know>
Entertainers:
Granger Smith – Texas, Georgia, California
www.GrangerSmith.com
Granger plays songs and speaks at high schools in the Texas area and can also appear at Georgia and California schools. His message is “Drive Now, Text Later”. Scheduling depends upon tour dates. You can follow Granger on Facebook and Twitter.
Costs depend upon location and travel and may range from $250 to $2,500 or higher. Please contact Tyler to get an estimate.
Contact Tyler Smith at tyler@grangersmith.com for appearance dates.
Speakers:
Jamie Nash – DFW, Texas area
www.JamieNashTXTL8R.com
On June 27, 2010 Jamie Nash made a decision that turned her family’s lives upside down and forever changed her inside and out. Jamie was texting while driving and, in a split second, lost control of her vehicle. The resulting crash saw the car come to rest with Jamie trapped inside as it burst into flames. With the aid of passer-by’s and the first responders, her life was saved, but not before being burned over 70% of her body. After 30 surgeries and ongoing therapy, Jamie is on a mission to put an end to this deadly epidemic and reach everyone with her true survivor story.
Jamie’s presentation covers the wreck with actual police dash-cam footage showing the chaos of the wreck. She walks her audience through her hospitalization, recovery and rehabilitation after the tragic event and helps to demonstrate to them, first hand, the dangers of texting and driving.
Speaking fees start at $400. Fees may change depending on time, travel, preparation etc. For more information, contact David Wiens @ david@md3holdings.com
Dr. Okerblom – Eric Okerblom Foundation – Southern California
http://www.eofoundation.net/
On July 25, 2009, nineteen-year-old Eric was bicycling on a straight, unobstructed, country road. Although visible for hundreds of yards, he was violently struck and killed by a distracted teenage driver who neither swerved nor braked. Subsequent subpoena of phone records revealed driver texting had occurred in the immediate proximity of the collision. Eric’s beautiful life was extinguished and the Okerblom family and community diminished from entirely unnecessary driver distraction.
Dr. Okerblom, Eric’s father, set out on a cross-country bike ride in memory of Eric and to bring his message to teens across the country. He left his home in California and rode all the way to Florida. Teens in the Driver Seat met with Dr. Okerblom while he traveled through Texas and introduced him to several program schools while here. He is now back in California continuing his social outreach in several areas.
For more information or an appointment call 805-680-5974.
Brian Pearse – K&J Foundation – Texas, Georgia, and locations in between
kandjfoundation.org
Kiara (17) and Jameel (15) Pearse who were tragically killed in an automobile accident on November 14, 2006 in Mississippi. Kiara’s dream was to own her own child-care center after completing college and Jameel’s dream was to be a music producer. Kiera and Jameel’s parents want to work to make sure no other parents have to go through the pain they did.
For presentation information, call 228-326-3833 or email kandjfoundation@gmail.com
Remember Alex Brown – Nationwide
http://www.rabfoundation.org/
Alex Brown was lost in a single car crash as she drove to school. Although no other vehicles were involved, Alex was not alone. The cell phone on which she had sent and received over 10,000 text messages in the weeks preceding her accident was with her. Alex lost her life to texting while driving.
Through Alex’s memory, her family shares her story and educates others about the dangers of texting while driving.
Submit your contact information to speak to someone regarding scheduling>
Sean Carter with When Sean Speaks – Nationwide
http://whenseanspeaks.com/home/
Sean’s journey into his new life started at the crash site in Wichita Falls, Texas, during the wee hours of Sunday, March 27, 2005. At the time of his motor vehicle crash, Sean was a student at Midwestern State University majoring in Business Administration. He was the passenger in a truck, driven by a college friend who was drunk. As the truck spun and slammed into a tree, Sean’s journey began.
Sean suffered multiple fractures, internal injuries, but worst of all a traumatic brain injury. Sean is now well down the path of his new life. Although he has forgotten how to walk and talk, Sean continues to make progress.
Sean and his mom present his story to others around the nation. The presentation lasts approximately 40 minutes, but they ask for at least another 5-10 minutes for a “No Holds Barred” Question and Answer session. This block of time is vital to your youths’ understanding that Sean represents every man (student). He could be any one of them. ..and so could his Mom.
Costs are $1,500 plus expenses and they will travel anywhere.
Contact Jenny at 469-323-5627 or e-mail at jenny@WhenSeanSpeaks.com
Jeneen Phillips, founder of RUI Designated Drivers – San Antonio, Texas area
www.ruisanantonio.org
Jeneen grew up in California where she served one term in the Air Force, worked as an EMT on a 911 ambulance, volunteered for the Fire Dept, was a DWI consultant for many years and was the Chapter Administrator for the founding chapter of MADD, so she has spent many years dealing with the drunk driving problem in our nation. She moved to Texas to be closer to my family and became a Texas Certified DWI Instructor. In her DWI classes she always asked students why they decided to drive the night they were arrested for DWI. The top 3 answers were: 1) I had no more money at the end of the night 2) I didn’t have anyone to call that late and 3) I was not going to leave my car behind. They felt as if they had no options so Jeneen decided to give San Antonio a real solution and RUI – a volunteer-based, free designated driver program, was born. Jeneen has worked tirelessly to make RUI a success and gives her time to prevention on all levels – including speaking to groups.
Drunk driving prevention is so important to Jeneen, because she has been hit by 6 (yes 6) impaired drivers and her 4-year-old niece, Katie, was killed by a drunk driver. Jeneen knows first hand the devastation a drunk driving crash can cause and wants to prevent that experience from happening to other families.
Contact Jeneen Phillips at 210-999-0200 or jeneen@ruisanantonio.org
Educators:
MADD – Nationwide
www.madd.org
Mothers Against Drunk Driving makes presentations and shares information. Contact your local chapter to coordinate.
Joint Task Force Domestic Support – California
www.calguard.ca.gov/JTFDSCD/Pages/default.aspx
Drug prevention and outreach at schools and community groups.
Northern Region – nrc-ops@jtfdscd.ca.gov or call 916-369-4948
Southern Region – src-ops@jtfdscd.ca.gov or call 858-573-7210
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission – Texas
www.tabc.state.tx.us
TABC Officers will present and share underage drinking information. Contact your local office.
Texas Department of Transportation – Texas
http://txdot.gov/
Traffic Safety Specialists offer public information and education for adults and children, which includes presentations, educational materials and booths. Driver education and behavior includes distracted driving (talking/texting while driving), pedestrian/bicycle safety, project celebration, alcohol & other drug countermeasures, speed control, occupant protection, child passenger safety, and school bus safety.
Find your local safety specialist>
Texas Municipal Police Association – Texas
Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes. The message is simple, if you’re on the road, stay off the phone!
This 2.5 to 3 hour presentation is available to junior highs, high schools, and colleges at no cost.
Karisa Miller
karisa.miller@tmpa.org
512-454-8900
Bay Area Council on Drugs & Alcohol – Southeast Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Matagorda Counties, Texas
http://www.BACODA.org
Drug and alcohol prevention presentations and workshops.
Tonya Mathis
Youthworks Events Coordinator
800-510-3111