Heavy Duty Truck Technology instructor brings nearly four decades of truck fleet management experience to his teaching role
Edwin White, 64, serves as faculty in the Heavy Duty Truck Technology (HDTT) program at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). Ed began teaching at DCTC in August 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration and Management from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, and an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician from the North Dakota State College of Science. 
He is also a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician.
Ed began his career in the trucking industry as the maintenance manager at North Star Transport/Roseau Diesel Service, a position he held for more than 15 years. He went on to serve as the regional fleet manager for 8+plus years at PepsiCo–Frito Lay, where he was responsible for an eight-state region with more than 1,100 delivery vehicles and annual budget of $11 million.
Ed continued his fleet management career at Dedicated Logistics, Inc., overseeing 500+ Class 8 Power Unit heavy-duty, long-haul, freight transport trucks, or “big rigs,” and nearly 1,300+ trailers for nearly 10 years. Before arriving at DCTC, he worked for four years as the fleet maintenance director at Kane Transport.
Teaching philosophy: Ed White
“I believe technicians need to be lifetime learners. I enjoy equipping my students with the tools needed to find the answers to the issues they will face during their career—not only as mechanics, but also in life. I hope to inspire them to be the best version of themselves that’s possible.”
Edwin White
Heavy Duty Truck Technology Faculty
Dakota County Technical College
More about Ed…
LeeAnn and Ed at Gooseberry Falls 2018
Originally from Verndale, Minnesota, a small town (population 600) in Wadena County, Ed graduated from Verndale Public School, Class of 1979. Ed and his wife, LeAnn, are high school sweethearts and have been together for nearly 50 years. They enjoy doing things together as a couple and that is one of the reasons they like ballroom dancing.
Ed and LeeAnn at 2015 WCDC San Diego Waltz
“We took our first lesson in 2012 at Fred Astaire in Eagan,” Ed said. “LeAnn came from a dancing family, and I did not. Dancing doesn’t come easy for me, and I have had to work at it. However, like most things in life, if you apply yourself and put in the work, you can improve and be successful—I remind my students of this all the time.”
Ed and LeAnn have placed in several ballroom dancing competitions. Their biggest accomplishment took place at the West Coast Dance Championship in San Diego in 2015. They took home the trophy for Top Amateur Couple.
In his free time, Ed serves on the HDTT Advisory Board and has worked as a firearms safety instructor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for more than 14 years. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, reading, biking, and nature photography.
“We love to camp at state parks,” Ed said. “Our favorite place is anywhere on the North Shore. While camping, we can enjoy all our various hobbies. Fishing on Lake Superior, hiking on the wilderness trails, shooting pics of waterfalls and sunrises or flowers. We both have taken some photography classes from DCTC. Last, but certainly not least, is just chilling by the fire or reading a book.”
When they’re not pursuing their hobbies, Ed and LeAnn enjoy spending time with their family. They have two adult married children. Sarah and her husband, Erik, and Chris and his wife, Emily, have expanded the White family to include five grandkids, one great grandkid, and three step-great grand kids.
Ed and LeAnn reside in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
Ed family and life gallery
DCTC Good Samaritan
Ed White recently assisted a motorist, Danielle Shuman, who had a flat tire on very cold winter afternoon. Danielle greatly appreciated Ed’s help, which included removing the flat (which proved to be beyond repair), driving Danielle to a tire repair shop because Danielle’s car is new and new cars typically don’t have spares, and then driving back to Danielle’s car to put on the new tire, all told about two hours of his time.
Danielle later shared her experience and thanked Ed via a social media post. You can read her full post HERE.
“I’m not on social media, and I wasn’t aware of the posting until later that evening when friends from church started texting me,” Ed related. “I really didn’t think it was all that big of a deal. I see it as living out my faith, and the way I was raised on the farm. If you see a neighbor in need and you can help them, you help them. I have since seen the post—and Danielle was very kind in her post. I am glad to have been able to assist her and would challenge others to help someone in need.”
Edwin White • Q & A
Ed White
What motivated you to pursue a career in the heavy duty truck industry?
I grew up on a dairy farm, however, my dad would also drive truck in the winter. My dad drove trucks full-time when he had to sell the farm for health reasons. Selling the farm left me without the career path I intended. So, I took an inventory of my skills, and I was always good at working with my hands and mechanical things, so I decided to go to college to become a diesel mechanic.
What inspired you to start teaching in the HDTT program at DCTC?
One of my dreams in high school was to become a history teacher and a wrestling coach. Due to several circumstances, I did not pursue that dream. However, it has always been there in the back of my mind. While serving on the advisory board for the HDTT program here at DCTC, I became aware of the opportunity and the timing was right, so I applied and am now fulfilling that dream.
Three words that describe you as a college educator:
PATIENT. PERSONABLE. ENERGETIC.
What do you enjoy most about teaching college students?
The most rewarding part of my role as an instructor is to see our students being successful in the workplace. It is always a joy to have students stop in and visit after they graduate, and hear their stories and how excited they are about what they are doing. It is especially gratifying when they say things like: “Remember when you taught us about such and such? I use that every day.”
What advice would you give future college students thinking about pursuing careers in the transportation industry?
The transportation industry is very rewarding, and you can make a good living in it. It can also be very demanding. Trucks run every day no matter what the circumstances. COVID was a good example; our industry grew because of the increased online purchasing and shipping. You need to have a passion for the work you do.
Three words that describe you as an ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician:
CURIOUS. KNOWLEDGEABLE. EXPERIENCED.
What are the most important traits people require to be successful as heavy duty truck technicians?
You must be analytical and pay attention to the details.
What do you see as the most significant technological advances on the heavy duty truck horizon?
Trucks are always evolving as we try to meet the new emissions guidelines, as well as comfort for the operator. It will be interesting to see what alternative fuel sources rise to the top of our industry.
What is your favorite make and model of heavy duty truck and why?
I don’t really have a favorite, but I guess I would choose a Peterbilt with a Cummins engine because I had the most experience working on them.
What person(s) has influenced your life the most and why?
My grandpa on my dad’s side of the family. I spent a summer when I was 11 or 12 bailing hay for him. I also worked in construction with him and my uncle while I was going to college. He was a hardworking, honest family man who loved the Lord.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
For people to be more considerate to each other.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
FULFILLING
Edwin White • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Dancing or bicycling
Place you would most like to visit: Ireland- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Zip-lining in Mexico
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Set up a charity to help young people 2) Provide for my family and future generations 3) Travel with my wife
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Mission: Impossible–Dead Reckoning Part One
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: The settling of America after the Civil War; the Wild West
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Leave a legacy for my descendants
Your national bird if you were your own country: Northern cardinal- Dream occupation: Teaching
- Person you would most like to meet: C. S. Lewis
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Flying a plane
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Selfishness and pride
Learn more about the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about Heavy Duty Truck Technology (HDTT) at DCTC…
HIGH WAGE, HIGH DEMAND
Turn your love for big engines into a high-paying career. Trained diesel technicians are in demand! Big rigs, big salaries, and a big future! Rev up your heavy-duty career with DCTC.
This is a high-demand program; apply early.
Contact Admissions for more information.
As a student in the Heavy Duty Truck Technology program, you will learn all aspects of heavy-duty truck repair and maintenance. The program focuses on Class 7 and 8. Areas of instruction include electrical and electronic systems, emissions, steering/alignment, foundation brakes, air brakes and anti-lock brake systems.
You will perform diesel engine troubleshooting, overhauls, and tune-ups on electronic engines. Clutch, transmission, and drive axle repair are taught along with welding instruction, preventive maintenance, and HVAC. You will get the opportunity to become a Minnesota Certified Commercial Vehicle Inspector.
ACCREDITATION
The Heavy Duty Truck Technology program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE MAY EQUAL COLLEGE CREDITS
The HDTT program offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Seek credit for life experience to accelerate your progress toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. Learn more by visiting Credit for Prior Learning.
HDTT awards
Heavy Duty Truck Technology A.A.S. degree: 78 credits
Heavy Duty Truck Technology diploma: 70 credits
Truck Fleet Maintenance certificate: 27 creditsDelivery: Courses taught on campus; daytime classes
Start: Fall semester and spring semester, full-time
HDTT program datasheet
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Web and Digital Interface Designer is a Bright Outlook occupation and is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years.
Reported job titles
- Bus Mechanic
- Diesel Mechanic
- Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech)
- Fleet Mechanic
- General Repair Mechanic
- Heavy Truck Mechanic
- Service Technician
- Trailer Mechanic
- Transit Mechanic
- Truck MechanicWAGES
Minnesota (annual)Workers on average earn $61,740
10 percent of workers earn $44,610 or less
10 percent of workers earn $84,690 or moreUnited States (annual)
Workers on average earn $58,970
10 percent of workers earn $39,020 or less
10 percent of workers earn $82,430 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 7,090 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 7,540 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 6%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 710Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 300,200 employees
Projected employment (2033): 308,700 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 3 percent: Average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 25,600Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
