About us

Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. was founded in 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska. For over fifty years, CDDT has been helping to make the roads and highways of America a safer place. Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. has Five (5) licensed instructors and third party examiners. They’re each licensed by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Locally owned, CDDT continues to meet the needs of the expanding trucking industry by successfully graduating thousands of educated and trained professional truck drivers for many local and national trucking companies. Today, CDDT offers its students up-to-date classroom and field training, all designed to provide the skills needed in the trucking industry.

We at Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. are particularly proud of our history. Our pride lies not so much in that we are an old school, but rather in the fact that we are both an old and growing school. Come join us at CDDT and start your new driving career today!

Ken Walker – President/Owner/Director/Instructor

Ken was raised in the trucking industry. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, were all truck drivers. He joined the team at Custom Diesel Drivers Training in 2012. He currently serves as CDDT’s President/Director, and instructor.  ” What I enjoy the most about what we do as a team is having the opportunity to work with individuals and instill a skill that will change their lives forever. With that said, it also allows the employers to grow in there services to there customers which they serve. That keeps America moving forward and everyone wins! It is so vital to keep creating new SAFE drivers with the proper skill set to overcome every day tasks and to keep everyone safe around them. We have the best team in my opinion and not only in training. Our team genuinely cares about people and their success entering this industry. I am extremely grateful to be able to represent Custom Diesel Drivers Training for what our amazing staff continues to do each and everyday.” Ken purchased Custom Diesel Drivers Training in September 2023.

Jenny Walker – Office Manager/Co-Owner/VA SCO

Jenny is from Omaha, NE and joined the team in September 2020.  She originally started here as the receptionist and administrative assistant and has since took over the roll as Office Manager and Veterans School Certifying Official.  She handles all of our accounts receivables/payables, VA paperwork, student financing, compliances with the DMV and Department of Education as well as countless other duties.

“We have a great group of staff members who are fun, love their jobs, and are passionate about the trade/skills that they are teaching.  It is always rewarding to see the students at their graduation with their certificate and CDL in hand with a huge smile knowing that their lives have changed and have so many opportunities that await them!”

Debbi Jahn – Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Debbi was born and raised in Omaha, NE and had worked in the medical field prior to joining the CDDT family as our receptionist and administrative assistant in January 2021. She is the first point of contact for everyone that walks in our doors and takes care of so many things ranging from taking calls, helping people to get registered for school,  putting all of the classroom training materials together for our new students, and scheduling our classes, recruiters and vendors, amongst so many other countless office tasks!

“I like seeing students come through and get their CDL and start their new careers.  I am here for them from their initial registration to their graduation!  This is the best job ever!  The Walker family are great people to work for, and everyone that I work with are awesome! ”

Jim- Instructor/3rd Party Examiner

Jim was born in Idaho and also lived in Hawaii. He served in the US ARMY from 1990- 1998 2004-2008, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jim obtained his CDL in 1998 and drove Refer, Oversize and mostly Opendeck.  Jim Started with CDDT in April of 2022. He has the drive, passion and heart for the position.

” The thing I like the most is the students, That moment when it all clicks and they finally get it. Knowing that I am helping shape the future of trucking is important to me.  This work and lifestyle has given me so much, this is my opportunity to give back.”

Mike Schoenberger – Instructor/3rd Party Examiner

Mike is from Council Bluffs, IA and has been with our CDDT family since April 2017.  He has held his CDL for over 20 years and has primarily driven tractor trailers in that time.  He is an instructor at our school as well as a 3rd party examiner.

“I enjoy the people that I work with and changing peoples’ lives for the better and helping the transportation industry with upcoming new drivers”

Sam- Deputy Director/Instructor/3rd Party Examiner

Sam hails from the state of Alabama where he was born and raised. He left his home town at age 18 to join the United States Air Force at Offutt AFB where he worked his way up to working contract for Homeland Security to the position of Air Manager. He then moved over into the trucking industry in 2015 and earned his CDL certification through Custom Diesel Drivers Training, thereafter, Ken pursued him to instruct at the school. He has been with us as of September 2022 as an instructor & third-party tester.