Lance Baker

My name is Lance. I've been a driving instructor for 22 years, because I love what I do. I've taught on the East Coast, the West Coast, and in five different countries overseas. My style is encouraging and complimentary. I do not believe in raising my voice or getting upset with the student. I believe that anyone can learn to drive, given the right circumstances and time. Everyone I teach wants to learn, and will improve. I just encourage them and compliment them when they learn each new skill. I know they are eager to learn. If your child knows how to do "basic" driving, I will teach him/her some "advanced driving." So, by the time they are finished with their three drives with me, they will know how to drive better than most of the drivers out there. For the adult drivers out there that need to "brush up," I've taught up to 89-year-olds. If your legs are very short and you have trouble reaching the pedals, I have "pedal extenders" so that you can reach the gas and brake pedals. Face it; you're going to be driving the rest of your life. You might as well learn how to be a safe, kind, courteous, Colorado driver.

Philip "Scotty" Coulimore

Philip S. Coulimore, better know as "Scotty" to his friends and co-workers, has done a lot of driving in his life. He was born in Maine, educated in South Carolina with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education, with teaching fields of History and English. After completing his college degree, Scotty taught for eight years in various schools from South Carolina to Colorado. In 1978, Scotty applied as a State Trooper and was hired on May 15th, 1978. Scotty spent the next 26 years as a Trooper for the Colorado State Patrol. Scotty was trained as a Drug Recognition Expert, and this training enabled him to determine if a driver was under the influence of drugs rather than alcohol. He was also trained as a radar instructor and field training officer.

Scotty also got some training as a G.R.E.A.T. instructor. This training enabled him to go into the local schools and teach principles of how to live and stay out of trouble to young people in sixth and seventh grade. This is where he met Anthony Smith, the founder of Mountain States Driver's Education school. While he was still a Trooper, he taught the drug and alcohol portion of the school's curriculum.

Scotty retired from the State Patrol on October 1, 2004. He then went to work for Home Depot, which he left in 2007 due to injuries suffered while a Trooper. Scotty came to work for Mountain States Driver's Education school in December 2008. Scotty is very glad to be back at teaching and he is hoping he can have a positive influence on these young drivers.

Marsha Hall

I moved to Loveland from Vermont in 1995 to teach motorcycle rider ed classes. At the time I was employed fulltime teaching rider ed classes on the weekends for Abate of Colorado and I worked weekdays as parts manager for Co's BMW up until 1998 when I took over as training site administrator for Abate, running their training site in Denver. Currently I run a training site for them in Ft Collins and teach Driver's ed for Mountain States. Both jobs fit together nicely and I enjoy teaching students to be both safe drivers and riders on our roads.

Mark Harris

I was born and raised in Iowa, and I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Health and Sports Studies (Go Hawkeyes!). Before entering the Drivers Education field, I worked in restaurant management, drove a taxicab, and I was a bus driver for several years. I have had my pilot's license for hot-air balloons since I was 17. I have a Commercial/Instructor rating and thoroughly enjoy flying, as well as teaching others how to fly.

I enjoy working with young people and take great pride in teaching safe and responsible driving skills.

Chuck Nook

Chuck was born in South Haven, Michigan in 1948. He played college football for Ferris State University, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. After graduating, he played professional football for a year in the Detroit Lions system.

Chuck moved to Colorado in 1972 and has taught in several schools over the years: The Abbey High School in Cañon City, St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, and Cherry Creek High School in Denver. In 1980, he got into the oil business, and relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma for five years, and Ventura, California for one year. In 1986, he moved back to Colorado and has been the Finance Director and Sales Manager at the Tynan's Nissan, Kia, Saab here in Fort Collins ever since.

Chuck and his wife Debbie have three kids: Meggan, Brendan, and Sean. Chuck enjoys all sports, but mainly football and baseball, and spending time with his two grandkids.

Sherri Stewart

My name is Sherri Stewart. I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. I grew up on and in the water and I absolutely love the ocean, particularly the Gulf of Mexico. I am married and I have three children and four grandchildren, all of whom I adore.

I graduated from Hillsborough High School with honors and a full scholarship to the University of Florida. After school, I owned and operated a pest-control business for 15 years. In 1997 my family and I moved to Colorado. My start with Driver's Education was with Aims Community College in 2004. I really enjoy working with the young adults. Having teenagers now and having raised another, I feel all young adults should have to take Driver's Education prior to receiving a license to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. I chose to come to work with Mountain States Driver's Education because they care about the "kids."

My hobbies include spending time with my kids and grandkids, sewing, and going back to Florida and hitting the beach as often as I can.

Zach Tichenor

Zach was born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky. His dad, Rusty, is the northwest Kentucky director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His mom, Zo, is a stay-at-home mom who runs the show, and McKena, his younger sister, is currently in college. After graduating high school, Zach attended Kentucky Wesleyan College on a golf scholarship. He holds a B.S. in Psychology from KWC, and is a proud alumnus. While attending college, he taught himself how to play the guitar/piano, and has since then fallen in love with both creating and playing music. In late 2010 he released his first album entitled, Tape EP, and plans to play some live shows to promote it. He has played in many bands (Noizejoi, Redbeard Rattlesnake, Miss Umbrella, and Chess Kings), and has toured all across the southeast U.S.

Since July 2010, Zach has called Fort Collins home. "I love how community-oriented Fort Collins is. . . and the mountains—well, they always bring a smile to my face." Although not much of an outdoorsman, he does love to get out and ride his bike, hike moderate trails, and can hold his own on the slopes. He loves music, spending time with Sara (his girlfriend), sports (especially basketball), and hanging out with friends.

You can find Zach teaching class at the MSDE office—or around town in one of the many Mountain States cars. "Mountain States is such a great place to learn how to drive. Everyone is so nice! I wish I could have been a student here. . ."