Meet the Team
I founded Heavy D Driving School in 2018 to help students become courteous, responsible, and defensive drivers. I’ve served as a driving instructor since 1999—and as a school teacher and coach for almost 30 years! I believe building confidence through the deliberate practice of skills develops safer drivers. I welcome the nervous first timers, experienced permit holders, and adults needing a little extra practice for a variety of reasons.
Alicia Gulbranson, Instructor
I have been a teacher in the Moorhead School District for 20 years. My husband and I have three children and reside in Moorhead. I am happy to be a part of the Heavy D Driving School team and believe learning to drive is a significant life skill. I look forward to teaching you or your child the importance of becoming a defensive driver.
Brandon Schlenner, Instructor
I have been in education for 20 years and I have always had a passion for working with kids. Being able to help them outside of the classroom isn’t always something we get to do. By becoming a driving instructor, I get to help teach our youth and new drivers how to become better and more defensive drivers.
Craig Hamblin, Instructor
I served in law enforcement for 20 years before owning and operating a limousine service and a forensic automotive engineering company. I’ve served as a safety manager and trainer for MATBUS and now work with Valley Bus as an ELDT trainer, operator, and Defensive Driving instructor.
I have held a Commercial Driver’s License for 38 years, am a licensed Class B and D examiner for North Dakota, and am nationally certified with the National Safety Council to teach Defensive Driving and Safe Bus Operation programming.
Kim Hovland, Instructor
I joined Heavy D after working as a Behind the Wheel instructor in the Alexandria, MN, area. Becoming an instructor has fulfilled my passion for teaching students. Watching students become successful and grow into good defensive drivers is amazing to witness!
Mike Argall, Instructor
In 2014, I retired from the Cass County Sheriff’s as a Captain after 35 years of service. I designed and implemented the SAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE, a proactive program to reduce the number of crashes and citations issued to young drivers in rural Cass County. I was selected by the North Dakota Department of Transportation as the Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Officer of the year in 2009. I have been nationally certified to teach the National Safety Council’s 4-hour Defensive Driving Course since 1994 and the SAFER Driver Course since 2004.
There is no doubt in my mind that driving is one of the most dangerous things we do. My goal is to share as much information as I can with a student driver, so they return home safely to their family at the end of each day.
Nick Tougas, Instructor
I currently work for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy. I am an instructor in a few different areas within the Sheriff’s Office. I have served in law enforcement for 14 years. I am originally from the area. I enjoy spending time at the lake, hunting, fishing and most of all spending time with my family, making memories and cheering them on in all of their activities.