Lew Altomare is a remarkable leader.  He worked a full, 30-years career in law enforcement as a patrol officer, retiring in 2007.  Throughout his years as a policeman, Lew also built custom houses on a part-time basis, then full-time from 2007 to 2018.  Lew earned his CDL in 2018, then hauled agricultural loads for Button Transportation.  After the AG season, he ran coconut oil tankers, distinguishing himself as a highly reliable team member.

Lew joined AAA Academy in January 2019 as an instructor.  By August of that year, he was appointed AAA Academy Manager & Chief Academic Officer.  Under Lew’s leadership, our students’ success flourished, not only in the number of students who earned their CDL but also their first test pass rate with DMV.  Since 2020, 95% of all AAA Academy students earned their CDL on their first test appointment.

Transportation is a people business.  People helping people, learn and grow.  People working hard with people to do a better job, to move ahead and to make a good living.  AAA Academy is a Success Driven Truck Driving School.  COME JOIN THE CORPS.

Lew Altomare:

“I think AAA Academy is the best school in Northern California; and, I’ve visited all of them.  I take great pride in sharing my knowledge, experience and expertise.  Teaching others helps my own self-improvement, by constantly developing my teaching methods.  It feels great, watching our students becoming more confident in their abilities to operate a truck and trailer safely, and to move into a rewarding career. I have a passion for helping others to win.  

I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.  Duane and Mike are the best in the business.  Our students come to us from different paths, differing perspectives and levels of experience.  Duane, Mike and I approach teaching slightly differently.  And, we share these different perspectives with our students, so they get a more complete understanding of the knowledge, skills and on-road training.  Our students are more rounded, better prepared for the DMV test and absolutely employment ready when they earn their Class A CDL. 

Earning your CDL is a major accomplishment in life.  It is a confidence builder that helps people move forward in life with a necessary and much needed career.  Think of it, everything we purchase was transported by a driver with a truck and trailer.  Transportation is a cornerstone in our society.  A career in trucking is something to take pride in.  I’m proud of all our students.”

Duane joined Button Transportation as a driver 25 years ago.  It didn’t take long for leadership to recognize Duane’s expertise as a trainer.  For nearly two decades, Duane worked hand-in-glove with our operations and safety teams to help train new Button drivers on the specific operational features of the equipment they would use on the road and in the field.

Whether it was liquid fertilizer or coconut oil tankers, agricultural flatbed trailers, hoppers or aggregate bottom dumps, Duane’s training prepared Button drivers to safely haul loads.  Duane was known as “The Fixer.”  If a driver had a problem with a delivery or got into a difficult situation, Duane would step-in to help the driver get back on the road, safely.  Day or night, Duane was always available to help.

Duane joined AAA Academy in 2018, shortly after its founding.  Drawing from his years of driving and teaching experience, Duane became AAA Academy’s lead trainer.   He has personally trained hundreds of students who earned their Class A CDL, many of whom had no experience or industry knowledge.

In 25-years of service with Button Transportation and AAA Academy, Duane never missed a day of work.

Mike joined AAA Academy with 23 years of transportation and training experience.  Mike ran aggregates with double bottom dumps and transfers.  He also moved Conex boxes with flatbeds, including Landol and Ledwel trailers as well as finished food products in 28’ to 53’ refrigerated and dry vans.

For nearly a decade, Mike focused his career toward helping people become professional drivers.  As a mentor and an instructor, Mike takes his students through the knowledge, skills and on-road training necessary to earn their Class A Commercial Drivers License, and much more. Mike Canfield is one of the best trainers in the industry.

Ben helped form AAA Academy’s foundation by reaching out to local and regional Workforce Development Boards, One Stops and other institutions who were in contact with potential students interesting in earning their Class A CDL.  In conjunction with the establishment of these initial business relationships, Ben was able to qualify AAA Academy as an “approved” California state training provided with the Bureau for Private Post-secondary Education.

Ben Marsh:

“Our model works perfectly. We train folks to help them earn their Class A CDL, then putting them to work at full wage and benefits with our trucking partners works perfectly, everyone wins.  Our students get the education they need to safely operate Class A equipment and to pass the DMV testing, which is the first step.  Once they have the license, most of our students go to work for Button Transportation or Benjamin’s Transfer, hauling loads and making good money.  It is our relationship with employers that makes it all work.

The AAA Academy team is phenomenal.  Our Chief Academic Officer, Lew Altomare, leads the team and manages all aspects of the business.  Lew meets with every prospective student personally to outline the details of the training.  Our instructors, Duane and Mike, are two of the best teachers in the business.  We all work really hard at this; and, we have a lot of fun.  The best of it is watching our students advance their knowledge and skills to the point where they are hauling loads and making money.  Their accomplishment is what keeps us motivated.”