Meet the Candidates for CVSA Secretary – Cory Ayon

Class I Member jurisdictions and Class II Local Membership will vote for secretary at the 2025 CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition this September in Denver, Colorado.

Remember, when you cast your vote for secretary, you are electing a future CVSA president. The secretary position is a one-year term, which transitions to a year as vice president, followed by a year serving as president, after which comes three years serving as past president.

Get to know this year’s candidates by reading their articles, which include information on their careers, philosophies on commercial motor vehicle safety and qualifications for serving as the next secretary of CVSA.

CORY AYON

New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Region IV

Hello, fellow CVSAers. Cory Ayon here, back on the road and running for CVSA secretary this fall. Looking back on the previous year and then some, we have had some new challenges and some old challenges introduced in our industry.

When I say our industry, I mean exactly that: “our industry.” CVSA comprises a mixture of members ranging from regulatory agencies that oversee the development and implementation of new regulations; industry professionals like manufacturers, motor carriers and drivers that ensure the safe, efficient transportation of freight and services across our continent; and lastly, commercial vehicle enforcement personnel who educate, communicate and ensure compliance with regulations. Those who make up this body of like-minded safety professionals are just as connected as the highways and byways that connect our homes in the countries that make up our great Alliance: the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

In my over 30 years of service either to my country, the great states of New Mexico and Texas, or time spent in the private sector, the common denominator that I found, which holds our industry together, is people. I know it sounds cliché, but I feel that that fundamental truth binds us. Regardless of the country, agency or motor carrier you represent, it takes all of us to get it done.

One of the most rewarding things that I enjoy in my chosen profession is being an instructor. I currently instruct North American Standard Inspection Parts A and B, General Hazardous Materials and Cargo Tank Inspection. I recently added Level VI Train the Trainer to my toolbox as well. I honorably serve as a master instructor, working with and for fellow instructors to help them become better instructors. To take an inspector who knows little to nothing about commercial motor vehicles and instruct them on how to conduct an inspection is very rewarding, and I love to take my experience and pass it on to others to assist them in their chosen profession. Everything is an art until you figure out how it is done – and then it becomes a skill.

I am not going to try to razzle-dazzle anyone with a lot of buzzwords and canned verbiage to try to make myself out to be someone I am not. I served for two years as Region IV president, and anyone in that region will probably agree that when it comes to me, what you see is what you get. I was born to serve, and as your CVSA secretary, with your support, we can tackle any obstacles that come our way together.

I enjoy a challenge, and as your CVSA secretary, I will represent our organization to the best of my ability for years to come. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Thank you for your support and your continued service. This is Cory Ayon, your friendly neighborhood tire kicker, saying, “Stay safe and stay professional.” I’ll be 10-10 on the side, ready to serve.