Maxwell Driving School
Meet Our Amazing Team!
Our Owners
Max & Lisa Maxwell
Max Maxwell, founder and owner of the Maxwell Driving School, established the company in 1994. In addition to leading a business, Max recently retired from the Memphis Police Department. Max served as a motor officer for 27 years, an instructor for the training academy for 5 years, 5 years in the organized crime unit, and taught anti-terrorism techniques to the FBI Hostage Resolution Team. He is also a professional stuntman, who has worked as the stunt coordinator on numerous motion pictures, including the Academy Award Winning film “Hustle and Flow”.
Lisa Maxwell, his wife, joined as co-owner in 2013. Prior to joining the business, Lisa was the founder and owner of a home decor workroom. She also served as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines and after 9/11 she continued her flight attendant career for a military charter airlines, World Airways. Lisa has raised three daughters and both she and Max are passionate about the welfare and humane treatment of dogs, including their four rescue dogs.
Our Leadership Team
Executive Director
Heidi Maxwell
Heidi is the daughter of the Maxwell’s and leads our team of instructors and drivers. She recently assumed the leadership role and is dedicated to continuing the success and vision of her parent’s legacy. In addition to leading our team, she is one of our certified driving instructors. Prior to joining us, her career includes working as a registered nurse and a military flight attendant. She has earned a BS in Nursing and a BS in Psychology. She recently obtained certification as a Certified Autism Specialist through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. In her free time, she is teaching her own teenager how to drive and also enjoys traveling.
- Certified Driving Instructor
- Certified Autism Specialist
- Registered Nurse, BSN
Lead Driving Instructor
Nic Garrard
Nic joined our team in 2008 and is our lead driving instructor. Nic leads our team of drivers, providing students with hands-on driving practice and feedback for driving improvement. Nic specializes in preparing and testing students for their driver’s test. He also leads our online courses focused on driver improvement as well as court ordered classes. In his free time, Nic enjoys spending time with his wife and four boys and is a dedicated fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels Men’s basketball team.
- Certified Driving Instructor
- Certified Skid Steering Instructor
- Certified Driver Improvement Program Instructor
Lead Classroom Instructor
John Blaker
John joined our team in 2007 and co-leads our classroom instruction as well as our simulator instruction. John provides lectures covering driving theory, traffic rules and laws, and automobile maintenance. John focuses on teaching students how to understand and apply the information presented in the classroom. In addition, John provides support and management to our administration department. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife.
- Certified Driving Instructor
- Certified Driver Improvement Program Instructor
Co-Lead Classroom Instructor
Kerri Sherwood
Kerri was recruited to join our team in 2024 to help co-lead in classroom instruction as well as hands-on-driving instruction. Prior to joining us, Kerri taught high school English as well as providing instruction for improvement courses such as parenting courses and anger management. Kerri comes with years of experience in the classroom instruction of teenagers. Kerri recently earned an Autism Certificate through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Kerri has also earned a BA in Mass Communication. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs and following the US Women’s soccer team.
- Certified Driving Instructor
Office Manager
Kathy Burke
Kathy comes from an entrepreneurial background having been President/Owner of a Mortgage Servicing Company. Kathy is responsible for ensuring smooth administrative operations, managing customer inquiries, coordinating schedules for instructors and students, and maintaining records and documentation. Her role requires excellent communication and multitasking skills. In her free time, she enjoys traveling.
- Administrator Coordinator
Our Drivers
Lead Simulator Instructor
Michael Gaffney
Michael joined our team in 2024 as our lead simulator instructor as well as one of our driving instructors. Michael guides our students using our simulator equipment to provide a virtual driving experience that includes real-life scenarios for the students prior to their driving sessions. Additionally, he provides behind the wheel instruction. In his free time, Michael enjoys reading, video games, and alligators.
- Certified Driving Instructor
Certified Driving Instructors
Daniel and Lauren Cook
Daniel and Lauren are a married couple who joined us in 2024. They have been a very welcomed addition to the team. They are the parents of four children ranging from 8 to 21 and they love their three dogs! In their free time, Daniel enjoys F1 racing, hunting, and is a major Star Wars nerd. Lauren enjoys traveling, true crime podcasts, thrifting, and DIY projects.
- Certified Driving Instructors
Certified Driving Instructor
John Shipley
John joined our team in 2021. In his free time John enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren, who are his pride and joy.
- Certified Driving Instructor
Certified Driving Instructor
John Hanna
John joined our team in 2015. He serves as a lieutenant of communications for the Germantown Police Department. In his free time, John likes to travel with his fiancé and hopes to make it to Alaska soon.
- Certified Driving Instructors
Certified Driving Instructor
Andy Griffith
Andy joined our team in 2015. He works as a State Officer at UT Health Sciences. In his free time, Andy enjoys Kentucky Wildcats basketball and football.
- Certified Driving Instructor
