In the Jones family, trucking isn’t just a career path. It’s a tradition passed down through generations, built on long hours, hard work, and pride in doing the job right. This spring the legacy continued when Judge Jones became the fourth generation of his family to earn a commercial driver’s license, and he chose Central Tech’s Truck Driver Training program to take that next step. “I called my dad and told him I wanted to do it, and he was pretty excited.” Jones said.
With decades of experience behind them, the Jones family knew exactly what they were looking for in a training program. They wanted more than a quick course to a license. They wanted real instruction, real seat time, and instructors who understood the industry because they’ve lived it. That search led Judge’s father, Brad Jones, to pick up the phone and call someone he trusted, former coworker and now Central Tech truck driver training instructor Tyler Eberle.
“We started looking around, and then he texted Tyler because he heard Tyler was working at Central Tech,” Judge said. Brad and Eberle had worked together in the heavy haul industry, and Brad knew Eberle would understand the level of training he expected for his son. “There were little things he wanted to see,” Judge said. “He didn’t want it to be a two-week class or something like that. He wanted me to actually go and learn the fundamentals.”
After a short conversation, the decision was clear.
For Judge, learning from instructors with real-world experience made all the difference. “It was great,” he said. “It made me actually feel like I was going to learn something from somebody that’s actually been around it.”
The Jones family lives in the Kingston area, and Central Tech’s partnership with Kiamichi Tech in Durant made it possible for Judge to train close to home while still receiving the same high-quality instruction and drive time offered at Central Tech’s Drumright campus. Judge started class in early April and quickly settled in. “It’s like a 20-minute drive every day to school,” he said. “It’s a great place. Mr. Balkenbush is a great teacher. He’s very helpful.”
While convenience mattered, Judge said quality mattered more. “Being close to my house definitely played a part in my selection,” he said. “But if I had to come to Drumright, I would have. It just seemed like a great school to come to.” Judge graduated May 13 with his Class A CDL and said the program exceeded his expectations. “All the time we got with Mr. Balkenbush, he was right there helping you and showing you,” he said, “You really get the one-on-one time.”
"One of the most rewarding parts of being a truck driver training instructor is watching students grow throughout the course,” said Paul Balkenbush. “This is especially meaningful when we bring the training to their community via a "satellite" program like the one at Kiamichi Tech - Durant. Satellite courses allow students like Judge to develop employable skills in the transportation industry while being home each night with their families and friends during the class."
After graduation, Judge plans to stay close to home for now and is exploring additional endorsements, including hazmat and tanker.
When asked what he would tell someone considering Central Tech’s Truck Driver Training Program, his answer came easily. “The seat time you get here and the quality of teachers, you can’t beat it,” Jones said. “There’s no other place that you can drive like we do. The experience Central Tech has and what they have to add is unbeatable.”
For the Jones family, the road ahead is familiar, but thanks to Central Tech, the next generation is ready to drive it.