May 15, 2017

Meet Robert Dillman of NEVO Driving Academy in Alpharetta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Dillman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started on March 14, 1994 in Southern California. I was a nine year old, home sick from school that day. My mom and I were out running errands when she fell into a seizure in the most inopportune place: the 405 freeway. The car started swerving violently. I grabbed the steering wheel from her as she was seizing, then drove the vehicle to safety. It all just fell into place from there.

I was your stereotypical high school male. The football captain who spent his down time turning wrenches in a garage. Of course, right around that same time, the original Fast and Furious movie arrived in theaters. When that bright orange Toyota Supra drove onto the screen, my heart skipped a few beats. I quickly ran home and begged my parents for one.

Unbelievably, a few weeks later, in my driveway sat a beautiful black Toyota Supra. We were inseparable. If I wasn’t working on it, I was driving it. Every hour away from school you’d find me driving down desolate Ohio back roads refining my steering and pedal techniques. Of course, being an immature driver with a beautifully fast car, the story ends the way you thought it would. In a few traffic tickets and a crash.

Years later, I found myself sitting in a Law Enforcement Academy, learning the intricacies of law, weapons and tactics. Then came the week of Police Vehicle Operations. I can still feel the soreness in my face from that week of ear-to-ear grins. I was in my element; back around cars, driving through highly technical courses and pushing the limit. After graduating the Academy, I was invited back to instruct the driving portion of the class. A few years into my law enforcement career, I left.

Over the course of my short career, I picked numerous lifeless teen bodies off of the roadway. I then drove to their parent’s house and delivered the most horrific news imaginable: Their teen would not be coming home. I became angry. Angry at myself and at the situation. Why as a law enforcement officer was I teaching driving techniques that teen’s, the most at-risk demographic, weren’t being taught?

It became an addiction. I continued reading books and attended driving schools looking for the most relevant information and instructing styles. Every waking hour, I trained. When I was ready, I opened NEVO. NEVO Driving Academy provides exclusively customizable driver’s education and in-car training. We focus on situational awareness, vehicle dynamics, motion physics and stress management techniques. This isn’t a hobby. We break driving down to an art, a science, and a passion.

Has it been a smooth road?
The Academy itself; our instruction, offerings and overall service has always been a smooth process. We are the best at what we do and it shows.

The difficulties all happen behind-the-scenes. With my years of experience in training law enforcement, potential stunt drivers, and teens, I know first-hand what works, why it works, and what doesn’t. I refuse to teach a technique that I haven’t proven myself, thousands of times. Many of the state mandated driver’s education curriculums are antiquated, and not only is some of the information wrong, it’s outright dangerous. Drivers are still dying due to subpar training. This is not acceptable!

Updating antiquated curriculums, and receiving the permission to teach the most relevant and safest techniques is our greatest difficulty. With new vehicle technologies, updated traffic laws and increased in-car cognitive distractions, it is a continuous process – one that we tirelessly pursue. Imagine having the right answer; an answer that could save a life. Then imagine being told you’re not allowed to teach that. Industry updates happen almost daily. Getting approval to teach in accordance with those updates can be a year-long process, putting us even further behind. This has been, and will continue to be our biggest difficulty.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with NEVO Driving Academy – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
NEVO Driving Academy is driver’s education re-defined. Our programs have been designed with today’s driver in mind. We understand that each student will arrive at NEVO with unique experiences and abilities. By offering relevant and fully customizable training options, we assure each student receives training specific to their needs.

We are known for our integrity. We’re in business to assure that when you walk out of our office, you will be the safest driver; able to handle any situation that arises. We do not train with the driving test in mind. We train our students to be great drivers. When we get them to that level, passing the driving test is simple.

We receive many disgruntled students who have taken classes at other driving schools. When they arrive at NEVO, they immediately see, and feel the difference. Our all-inclusive and fully customizable programs set us apart from other schools. Each NEVO student receives training customized to their experience level, wants, and needs. We’ve received requests raining from high net worth family driver training, to a road-trip experience, to track training for a young rallycross driver. If it’s driving related, we will cater to most requests and are ready to exceed expectations.

In keeping with our high standards, we do not believe in geographical service areas. We are headquartered in Alpharetta, but if you require the absolute best training available, we are ready to bring NEVO to you.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love the city and the personalities, wants and needs of its residents. Each family we are privileged to work with provides an exciting and unique experience. We also love the architecture and varied landscape. Since we spend a lot of time in vehicles, visual interest is high on our list.

What we like least? Stop signs hidden behind unkempt bushes and trees.

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