Meet the Candidates for CVSA Secretary – Beau Wittkowski

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.

TPR. ROBERT “BEAU” WITTKOWSKI

Iowa State Patrol, Region III

Hello, everyone. My name is Robert “Beau” Wittkowski, and I am honored to be a candidate for CVSA secretary in this year's election. For those I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, I am from Iowa and serve as a trooper with the Iowa State Patrol. I reside in rural Marion County with my wife of 25 years, our children, two dogs and five chickens. In my personal time, I operate a tree and lawn care business, which allows me to spend much of the summer outdoors. When I am not working, I enjoy gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Prior to my career in law enforcement, I worked as an automotive and diesel mechanic. I had not anticipated that my mechanical experience would prove valuable in my current role, but I am grateful for the knowledge gained from working on trucks and trailers, which has been instrumental when inspecting commercial motor vehicles and interacting with drivers. Additionally, working directly with drivers has provided me with firsthand insight that they are professionals dedicated to supporting their families, much like anyone else.

I bring over 20 years of law enforcement experience. I began my career as a reserve deputy and transitioned to a full-time role shortly thereafter, serving for nearly six years. Around the six-year mark, I applied with the Iowa Department of Transportation. In July 2023, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Transportation merged, and I am currently assigned to the Iowa State Patrol Training Team. I hold certifications in North American Standard Inspection Parts A and B, General Hazardous Materials Inspection and Cargo Tank Inspection, and I instruct courses for Parts A and B and Instructor Development Certification. I am also a certified master instructor and have been involved in instruction since 2016, which has allowed me to engage with professionals and build lasting relationships with people from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

My first CVSA conference was a valuable learning experience, despite feeling initially overwhelmed by the numerous committees and attendees. I actively engaged in several committees and listened to discussions, which have greatly influenced my current role as chair of the Vehicle Committee. I find committee work challenging yet rewarding, especially when collaborating with others and seeing tangible results that benefit CVSA inspectors nationwide.

If elected as CVSA secretary, my primary goal would be to support CVSA leadership in all safety initiatives and to mentor emerging leaders within the organization. I believe we must prioritize selecting passionate and qualified individuals to fill leadership vacancies and ensure that current leaders have access to the necessary resources and experience to succeed. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and experience with upcoming CVSA leaders at any time.

Throughout my law enforcement career, I have consistently aimed to provide positive interactions with the community. I hope my dedication to professionalism and service has been evident to those I have had the privilege to work with. I respectfully request your support and vote for CVSA secretary. Thank you for your consideration and stay safe.