At East Coast Driving School, we are pleased to offer our students the highest caliber, professional, driving instructors available in the surrounding area. Please take a moment and get to know them.

Joseph Evans

President & Founder of East Coast Driving School Inc.

Joe founded East Coast Driving School in July of 2009 and most recently founded East Coast Carrier Corp., a company serving logistical and transportation needs of individuals in need of transportation to and from medical appointments and procedures.  He currently serves as President of both companies while continuing to teach in the classroom.  Joe is also a Massachusetts State Trooper. He is a 1992 graduate of Franklin High School, a 1996 graduate of The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a graduate of the 5th MPOC of the Norwood Police Academy and a graduate of the 75th Recruit Training Troop of The Massachusetts State Police Academy. He is also a licensed, professional driving instructor. Joe served the Town of Franklin for 3 years as a patrolman and has been employed with the Massachusetts State Police since the year 2000. He has been assigned to various barracks throughout Massachusetts and has patrolled numerous roads and highways throughout the Commonwealth. He has had the opportunity to investigate numerous motor vehicle crashes that have involved deaths and serious injuries. Many of these crashes have involved the use of drugs and alcohol. His knowledge and experience that he has gained from his years on the road is a premium asset to East Coast Driving School. Joe is currently assigned to the Foxboro barracks where he is serving as the State Police Prosecutor in Attleboro District Court. He also is serving as a breathalyzer technician and evidence officer at SP Foxboro.  He is enthusiastic to bring his experiences and knowledge to the classroom of East Coast Driving School.
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Kevin Collins

Kevin Collins is a Massachusetts State Trooper, currently assigned to State Police Foxboro, where he has served the Commonwealth since 2002. He is a 1991 graduate of Walpole High School and a 1995 graduate of Wheaton College. He also holds his Masters Degree in criminal justice from Western New England College. Kevin then went on to pursue a career with the Massachusetts State Police where he graduated as a member of the 76th Recruit Training Troop. After graduating, Kevin spent several years as a road trooper, patrolling various roads and highways throughout Central Massachusetts and was a recipient of the prestigious "Bulldog of the Month Award" for an outstanding arrest of a violent fugitive. He currently serves as the State Police Prosecutor in Wrentham District Court. He also serves as the breathalyzer technician for the Foxboro Barracks and testifies on behalf of the Commonwealth at OUI trials. We are pleased to have Kevin join our team of instructors at East Coast Driving School.

Gerald Thayer

Gerry served the Franklin Police Department for 27 years until his retirement in 2002. Gerry served as both the Franklin Police Safety Officer and DARE Officer for most of his career. His experience as a Police Officer and professional driver is invaluable to East Coast Driving School. He has had the opportunity to work with thousands of teenagers during his career in Franklin where he educated them on alcohol and drug use. Gerry continues to wear the uniform even in retirement and can occasionally be seen in the Franklin area directing traffic at work sites.  Gerry has been on board at East Coast Driving School since its inception.  He enjoys bringing his knowledge and expertise to our students.

Michelle Palladini

Michelle Palladini graduated from Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA in the year 2000. Michelle went on to attend Stonehill College, where she majored in Criminal Justice. She holds membership in Lambda Epsilon Sigma (Stonehill Honor Society), the Edwin H. Sutherland Criminal Justice Honor Society, and Theta Alpha Kappa (National Honor Society for Theology). During her studies at Stonehill, she was awarded a competitive honors internship opportunity, as well as summer employment, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Michelle graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stonehill College in 2004. Subsequent to her college graduation, she was hired by the Franklin Police Department. She attended the Plymouth Regional Police Academy for six months. Michelle is currently employed with the Stonehill College Police Department.  During her tenure as a police officer, she has had the opportunity to enforce motor vehicle laws, including speeding, OUI, and junior operator violations. She also has responded to, and investigated, numerous car crashes. Michelle brings this experience to East Coast Driving School, and is able to relay the cause and effect of motor vehicle violations to our students. Michelle lives in Franklin with her husband Chris, also of the Franklin PD, and their children.

Suzanne Klane

Suzanne is a retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper.  Suzanne retired from the State Police after 20 dedicated years of service to the Commonwealth.  She brings her experience not only as a road trooper, but also her experience teaching teenagers in the Commonwealth's high schools on subjects such as teen dating violence as a member of the State Police.  She has had the opportunity to investigate motor vehicle crashes, enforce motor vehicle laws and see the consequences of alcohol and drug related offenses.  Suzanne is currently instructing students on the road for East Coast Driving School and enjoys her time spent with our students.

Frank Burnham

After serving honorably in the Navy, Frank started working at his life long ambition of running his own business.  Frank first started with a service station in Ashland and after moving to Franklin with his wife, Catherine and children, Jennifer and Frank Jr., he bought his first local business, Franklin Mobil.  With his wife by his side, they turned an average station into one of the top Mobil stations in the country.  Over the next 22 years, he ran several other service stations along with Burnham's Automotive.  To give back to the community, frank served on the Franklin Auxillary Police and the Franklin School Committee.  Frank also served as President of the Franklin Lions Club, where he had one of his greatest experiences, working with handicap teenagers and young adults.  He has also volunteered his time to Franklin youth baseball, serving as a member of the board of directors and as a team coach.  After retiring in 1998 and enjoying the good life, Frank decided to return to work and became a certified driving instructor.  He brings five years experience as a driving instructor to East Coast.  Franks previous work with teenagers and his experience as a successful individual in life is a perfect fit for East Coast Driving School's team.  Frank is very popular with our students and does an outstanding job.

Peter Salzberg

Peter Salzberg has been in law enforcement for 25 years, recently retiring from the Walpole Police Department at the rank of Lieutenant. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Haven in Law Enforcement Administration with honors, and graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy (Municipal Class) in 1987, and served as president and speaker for the 79th M.P.O.C. He has served the Walpole Police Department as the Domestic Violence Officer, Bicycle Officer, Patrolman, Sergeant, and finally Lieutenant. He was responsible for the coordination and logistics of special events, including the Walpole Road Race and the Night Before the Fourth Fireworks celebration. He has also participated in many specialty driving courses throughout his career.

Denise Wolf

Denise's bio coming soon!!

April Davenport

April Davenport graduated from Glastonbury High School, in Glastonbury, CT in 1990. April went on to attend the University of Connecticut where she majored in English Literature. She then received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Currently, April is employed as the Director of Franklin Children’s School. April has over sixteen years of teaching experience, having worked with children ranging in age from preschool to tutoring young adults. She has worked in various classroom settings and has extensive knowledge of how to effectively instruct students of all different abilities and learning styles. Her experience as a teacher helps new student drivers to become careful and considerate drivers, as well as enabling them to become confident in their driving abilities. April brings her talent as an educator and the knowledge of teaching driving safety skills to East Coast Driving School. April lives in Franklin, with her three children.

Office Staff

Julie Evans

Julie serves East Coast as our VP of Operations.  Stop in and say hello!

Beth Carey

Beth serves on our office staff and coordinates scheduling and logistics