Driving the Future of Trucking with ProDriver CDL School 

For Jason Surface, trucks have always represented opportunity. Growing up, he spent much of his time in his grandfathers’ garages—one a driver, the other a mechanic. “Between the two of them, I was either in the shop or in a truck all the time,” Jason said. “That’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do.” 

After high school, Jason joined the Army as a diesel mechanic and later moved into trucking full time. He drove cross-country, worked in the oil fields, and eventually earned degrees in business and education. A teaching position at Alexandria Technical & Community College opened a new door, where Jason discovered how much he enjoyed helping others build their own trucking careers. 

“I never planned to be a teacher,” he said, “but once I started, I realized how rewarding it was to help people gain the skills that had given me such a good life.” Over nearly a decade, he taught hundreds of students and helped develop the commercial driver’s license (CDL) curriculum now used across Minnesota. 

From Experience to Enterprise 

Today, Jason serves as the Director of Transportation at Henry’s Foods in Alexandria, where he manages nearly 90 drivers and oversees daily operations. His lifelong experience in trucking and education led him to see a gap in the industry—a need for more accessible, flexible CDL training that could help people advance their careers. 

That insight inspired him to launch ProDriver CDL School, also based in Alexandria. The school combines online coursework with in-person driving practice through partner sites, allowing students across west central Minnesota to earn their CDL close to home. 

“There’s a real shortage of qualified drivers out there,” Jason said. “We’re helping people move from short-term jobs to lifelong careers, and we’re helping local companies find the workers they need.” 

Building Momentum 

When Jason was ready to expand ProDriver CDL School, he reached out to our lending team at West Central Initiative for support. He had already invested in the business and needed funding to continue building momentum. 

“The process was really straightforward,” said Jason. “Everyone at West Central Initiative was responsive and encouraging. You could tell they genuinely wanted to see my business succeed.” 

Through our loan program, we were able to help Jason strengthen the school’s infrastructure and reach more students. We aim to support entrepreneurs whose work directly benefits people and employers in our region. 

Driving Impact Across West Central Minnesota 

Today, ProDriver CDL School is helping meet a critical workforce need in our region. New drivers are entering stable careers, and local businesses are growing because of it. Jason continues to manage transportation operations at Henry’s Foods while leading the school, keeping both his hands and heart in the trucking industry. 

“I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by good people,” he said. “The support from West Central Initiative helped me continue investing in the community I care about.” 

Learn more about how our loan program and business support can help your venture grow.