A scientific approach to tank truck driver training
Luma Brighter Learning, which just returned to Inc. 5000’s list of the fastest-growing companies in America for the third straight year, recently worked with G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation to develop a cutting-edge approach to coaching tank truck drivers.
The resulting white paper, Coaching Strategies to Reduce Risky Workplace Driving Behaviors, explores how carriers can apply motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioral coaching (CBC) in the bulk transportation industry to address distracted driving, speeding, complacency, and more—with the ultimate goal of identifying neuroscience-based strategies that boost safety culture.
“The insights shared by G&D/Hoffman COO Jerry Curl reflect a deep, transformative approach to coaching that goes beyond compliance and taps into personal growth and trust,” Dr. Gina Anderson, Luma co-founder and CEO, told Bulk Transporter. “By integrating motivational interviewing into their driver safety culture, G&D isn’t just reacting to risky behaviors, they’re proactively fostering a climate where drivers feel seen, respected, and empowered. It’s clear this isn’t just about reducing incidents; it’s about building a resilient and values-aligned workforce, where drivers are coached with empathy and inspired to make safer choices for their own reasons. That’s the kind of leadership that redefines what safety training can accomplish.
“Tank truck driving demands precision, focus, and accountability, yet traditional safety training often fails to address the deeper psychological factors influencing risky behaviors.”
Curl shared his thoughts on motivational interviewing, a collaborative approach to coaching originally developed in the counseling field, in the Luma white paper, saying, in part: “Establishing an emotional connection is essential. Always begin conversations with positive affirmations to cultivate self-love and self-worth. Invest time to genuinely understand the individual, their family, and what truly matters to them.”
![“For tank truckers, who operate in high-stakes environments, [evidence-based] coaching supports emotional resilience, builds decision-making skills, and ultimately aims to reduce risk and save lives,” says Dr. Gina Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Luma Brighter Learning.](https://img.bulktransporter.com/files/base/ebm/bulktransporter/image/2025/08/689cf7e31ec3e58d2d3db843-img_5977.png?auto=format,compress&fit=max&q=45&w=250&width=250 "“For tank truckers, who operate in high-stakes environments, [evidence-based] coaching supports emotional resilience, builds decision-making skills, and ultimately aims to reduce risk and save lives,” says Dr. Gina Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Luma Brighter Learning.")
Anderson previously worked with Brian Neuenfeldt, director of safety at Texas TransEastern, and Jeff McKinney, Jetco vice president of safety, to explore ways to break through generational barriers in driver coaching, a topic she covered in detail during a Workforce committee presentation at National Tank Truck Carriers’ 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa.
See also: Tank truckers mark NTTC’s 80th birthday
“The integration of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral coaching and science into education, as modeled by Luma Brighter Learning, is a gamechanger,” Anderson maintained. “By recognizing that adult learners need individualized, reflective, and value-driven coaching, this approach aligns with how behavior change truly occurs. Changing behaviors does not happen by assigning generic video content. It comes from tapping into emotional resonance that is aligned to motivational factors.
“For tank truckers, who operate in high-stakes environments, this method of coaching supports emotional resilience, builds decision-making skills, and ultimately aims to reduce risk and save lives.”
Luma returns to Inc. 5000 list
Luma checked in at No. 2,841 in Inc.’s 2025 distinguished ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America for the third consecutive year—a period in which the company boasted combined revenue growth of 146%.
Inc. will celebrate this year’s honorees at the 2025 Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala set for Oct. 22–24 in Phoenix.
“We are so excited to be on the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies for three years in a row,” Anderson said in a news release. “In a recession, we didn’t just survive, we grew. With every challenge, we bootstrapped, saved wisely, and rallied a team that refused to quit. This isn’t just growth, it’s proof that grit, purpose, and people still matter. We built something lasting, knowing that heart and hustle always outrun headwinds. We are just getting started.”
About the Author
Jason McDaniel
Jason McDaniel, based in the Houston TX area, has more than 20 years of experience as an award-winning journalist. He spent 15 writing and editing for daily newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, and began covering the commercial vehicle industry in 2018. He was named editor of Bulk Transporter and Refrigerated Transporter magazines in July 2020.