Improving
driver education
across Florida

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Derek Stewart

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Derek Stewart has over three decades of experience in Driver Education and has served as a public school teacher, a coordinator of one of Florida's largest public Driver Education programs, and a leader in Driver Education through his work with ADTSEA. Derek, who lives in Temple Terrace, Florida, has a robust educational background from the University of South Florida.

Since starting his Driver Education career at Leto High School in Tampa (1998-2012), Derek has earned accolades as the Driver Education Teacher of the Year in Hillsborough County, at Florida Virtual School, and in 2026 was the ADTSEA Teacher Excellence Award (TEA) recipient. His contributions include serving as a textbook reviewer for the 11th Edition of "Drive Right", authoring innovative teaching method articles, building curriculum for students and teachers, and public speaking about Driver Education at ADTSEA, LifeSavers, the Transportation Review Board, and other Driver Education and Traffic Safety Conferences.

Derek's commitment extends into his research and action. He utilizes telematics to evaluate the impact of Driver Education on student behavior and AI driven telematics software to train Driver Education instructors in Florida. He chairs the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition's driver education working group, which aims to enhance the Driver Education curriculum and develop model GDL laws. Derek is also a founding member of ADTSEA-FL and hopes to shape the future of Driver Education.

Richard Greene

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Richard "Rich" Greene is the owner and founder of ASD Drive Ready, a Florida-based driver education program that uses immersive virtual reality to help individuals with autism, ADHD, and significant driving anxiety prepare for behind-the-wheel instruction. The program provides a safe, structured, and proficiency-based environment where students can build confidence and develop driving skills before entering a real vehicle.

Rich grew up in Putnam County, Florida, and graduated from Interlachen High School. After attending Saint Johns River College, he joined the United States Navy and volunteered for submarine duty. He served in engineering roles involving nuclear reactor operations before retiring from military service in 2000.

Following his Navy career, Rich joined Intel Corporation's Portland Technology Development group, where he contributed to advanced technology development and received the Intel Achievement Award. After retiring from Intel in 2016, he began a new chapter in driver education.

In 2018, Rich and his wife, Wendy, founded Columbia River Driver Education in St. Helens, Oregon. While operating the school, they incorporated fully immersive virtual reality into their curriculum and recognized the need for a safer, more individualized pathway for students who were not yet ready for traditional behind-the-wheel instruction. That experience ultimately led to the creation of ASD Drive Ready after their return to Florida.

Rich and Wendy have presented at numerous national and regional driver education and traffic safety conferences. Rich served on the Oregon Governor's Driver Education Advisory Committee from 2021 through 2024 and currently serves on the ADTSEA-FL Board of Directors.

Outside of his professional work, Rich is an avid Florida Gator fan and enjoys attending games and supporting Gator athletics.

Griff Jones

(Ph.D.)

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Dr. Griff Jones is an emeritus clinical associate professor of science education in the College of Education at the University of Florida. While a professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Jones held joint appointments as a Faculty Fellow with UF's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and as an Affiliate Faculty member for the College of Engineering's Transportation Institute. 

Dr. Jones specializes in designing effective inquiry-based, interdisciplinary K-12 science programs.  He has authored several highly successful and nationally disseminated inquiry-based science textbooks, curriculum guides, and online-course materials.  

His most well-known collaboration has been with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization).  As part of his work with this organization, Dr. Jones developed multiple award-winning educational films and an innovative website focusing on the practical, and potentially lifesaving, application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in car crashes.  

Dr. Jones received state and national-level recognition for his efforts as a K-adult science educator, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching awarded by the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, and The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  In 2017, the University of Florida awarded Dr. Jones professor emeritus status.

Darren Tessitore

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Darren Tessitore is a Drug-Free Ambassador for the largest drug education program on earth, The Foundation for a Drug-Free World. As a nonprofit public benefit corporation, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free.

Through his volunteer efforts, Darren has educated over 10,000+ law enforcement, driver educators, and school educators around the US and Canada. No one, especially a young person, likes to be lectured about what he or she can or cannot do. Thus, Darren provides the facts that empower youth to choose not to take drugs in the first place. Additionally, the foundation's Truth About Drugs campaign consists of activities that they can join which popularize drug-free living. These activities are simple, effective, and involve people of all ages.

Darren is the CEO of Thrive Management, an online advertising and marketing automation company. He is also past president of SERADTSEA.

Lisa Worthy

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Lisa Worthy is passionate about teaching and learning, with over 30 years of experience as a K-12 educator and a teacher of teachers. Her experience includes teaching in both in-person and online settings, serving students and teachers with varying learning styles and abilities, across multiple content areas. Regardless of the content, Lisa strives to provide each learner with an individualized learning experience.

Her passion for the field of Driver Education and Traffic Safety began more than a decade ago (2012) when she began teaching Driver Education at Florida Virtual School.  Over the years, in addition to teaching students, she has served as a teacher mentor and coach to other driver educators, developed new instructional content, and reviewed course materials. Currently, Lisa facilitates a Driver Education Endorsement program, supporting teachers new to the profession earn the Driver Education Endorsement.

Lisa is a member of the Florida Teen safe Driving Coalition, serving on Driver Education subcommittee. This working group aims to enhance Driver Education in the state of Florida by proposing and advocating for enhanced curriculum and GDL laws. She is also a founding member of ADTSEA-FL and currently serves on the Borad of Directors.

Lisa resides in Gainesville, Florida. She enjoys group fitness activities, yoga, reading and Gator athletics.

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Derek Stewart

Chief Executive Officer

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Derek Stewart has over three decades of experience in Driver Education and has served as a public school teacher, a coordinator of one of Florida's largest public Driver Education programs, and a leader in Driver Education through his work with ADTSEA. Derek, who lives in Temple Terrace, Florida, has a robust educational background from the University of South Florida.

Since starting his Driver Education career at Leto High School in Tampa (1998-2012), Derek has earned accolades as the Driver Education Teacher of the Year in Hillsborough County, at Florida Virtual School, and in 2026 was the ADTSEA Teacher Excellence Award (TEA) recipient. His contributions include serving as a textbook reviewer for the 11th Edition of "Drive Right", authoring innovative teaching method articles, building curriculum for students and teachers, and public speaking about Driver Education at ADTSEA, LifeSavers, the Transportation Review Board, and other Driver Education and Traffic Safety Conferences.

Derek's commitment extends into his research and action. He utilizes telematics to evaluate the impact of Driver Education on student behavior and AI driven telematics software to train Driver Education instructors in Florida. He chairs the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition's driver education working group, which aims to enhance the Driver Education curriculum and develop model GDL laws. Derek is also a founding member of ADTSEA-FL and hopes to shape the future of Driver Education.

Daniel Maurer

Chief Financial Officer

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Bio coming soon.