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888.260.9448

Our History
Management
About CNS Companies
Mission and Vision
Our Building - Parking Map
Our History

CNS Companies Over the Years

2001
January
  • Carolyn’s Notary was incorporated. 
  • Dean Weinhold became a client, leveraging Carolyn’s expertise to navigate the licensing of trailers to trucks not assigned combination weights. 
2010
August
  • Carolyn’s Notary was acquired by the Irwin and Weinhold families. The name was updated to Carolyn’s Notary and Auto Tag to more accurately reflect the expanded range of services provided. 
2011

Client feedback revealed a growing demand for additional support from trusted local professionals, leading to an increased desire for personalized service. 

February
  • Technology was implemented to facilitate online title and tag processing for clients.
April
  • CNS Truck Licensing was launched, expanding into specialized licensing services for the trucking industry. 
May
  • CNS Licensing introduced Drug and Alcohol Testing and consortium services.
2012
August
  • The Driver Qualifications managed service was rolled out, addressing client needs for comprehensive driver management solutions. 
December
  • A partnership with an insurance agency in Mississippi was established enhancing our presence in the southern market. 
2013
January
  • Northern Insurance Specialists was founded. 
June
  • CNS Licensing was rebranded as Compliance Navigation Specialists to better align with the comprehensive range of DOT compliance and licensing services offered.
July
  • The New Venture Survival Kit, now known as DOT Essentials, was developed to support clients in achieving their business objectives. 
2014
January
  • Proactive Safety Management (PSM) was initiated to provide ongoing support for clients. 
May
  • CSA Score Support was introduced to assist clients in upgrading their safety ratings. 
2018

Business and staff continued to grow, emphasizing effective collaboration and synchronization among teams. 

January
  • Northern Insurance Specialists acquired Elite Transportation Advisors, strengthening our service offerings. 
May
  • CNS Driver Training Center was established to train the next generation of professional drivers. We focused on individualized training, setting a new standard in the industry as opposed to the traditional three-to-one training ratios. 
2019
January
  • CNS acquired land to construct a new company headquarters. 
March
  • Adam Galante, one of the first employees hired by John, became a shareholder of CNS. 
December
  • To align more closely with the CNS brand, Northern Insurance Specialists rebranded as CNS Insurance. 
2020
January
  • The leadership team expanded to focus on scalable growth strategies amid continued growth. 
May
  • The pandemic highlighted the importance of health in the workplace. We rose to the challenge by providing solutions for both existing and new clients, including temperature screening, COVID-19 testing, and vaccination services. CNS Occupational Medicine became the second mass vaccination site established in Pennsylvania and deployed mobile medical units to businesses for worker vaccinations. This relationship-building effort enhanced brand awareness and facilitated the development of a comprehensive Occupational Medicine division. 
September
  • CNS Occupational Medicine built a fleet of mobile units for drug testing, physical examinations, and audiometric testing. 
2021
February
  • Construction began on the new company headquarters. 
2022
January
  • The new headquarters officially opened. 
May
  • CNS Occupational Medicine acquired Access Quality Health Care, rebranding it as CNS Occupational Medicine of Delaware. 
2023
January
  • Work commenced on a new client portal called CNS Connects, scheduled for launch in January 2025. 
CNS Connects | Online Portal
Today

Today, CNS Companies is a leading provider of comprehensive solutions across DOT compliance, insurance, driver training, and occupational health. Through our subsidiaries, we leverage advanced technology, elite customer service, and a collaborative approach to empower clients with streamlined, industry-specific services. With a focus on innovation and growth, we continue to shape the future of compliance and safety for businesses nationwide.

CNS Companies Over the Years

2001
January
  • Carolyn’s Notary was incorporated. 
  • Dean Weinhold became a client, leveraging Carolyn’s expertise to navigate the licensing of trailers to trucks not assigned combination weights. 
2010
August
  • Carolyn’s Notary was acquired by the Irwin and Weinhold families. The name was updated to Carolyn’s Notary and Auto Tag to more accurately reflect the expanded range of services provided. 
2011

Client feedback revealed a growing demand for additional support from trusted local professionals, leading to an increased desire for personalized service. 

February
  • Technology was implemented to facilitate online title and tag processing for clients.
April
  • CNS Truck Licensing was launched, expanding into specialized licensing services for the trucking industry. 
May
  • CNS Licensing introduced Drug and Alcohol Testing and consortium services.
2012
August
  • The Driver Qualifications managed service was rolled out, addressing client needs for comprehensive driver management solutions. 
December
  • A partnership with an insurance agency in Mississippi was established enhancing our presence in the southern market. 
2013
January
  • Northern Insurance Specialists was founded. 
June
  • CNS Licensing was rebranded as Compliance Navigation Specialists to better align with the comprehensive range of DOT compliance and licensing services offered.
July
  • The New Venture Survival Kit, now known as DOT Essentials, was developed to support clients in achieving their business objectives. 
2014
January
  • Proactive Safety Management (PSM) was initiated to provide ongoing support for clients. 
May
  • CSA Score Support was introduced to assist clients in upgrading their safety ratings. 
2018

Business and staff continued to grow, emphasizing effective collaboration and synchronization among teams. 

January
  • Northern Insurance Specialists acquired Elite Transportation Advisors, strengthening our service offerings. 
May
  • CNS Driver Training Center was established to train the next generation of professional drivers. We focused on individualized training, setting a new standard in the industry as opposed to the traditional three-to-one training ratios. 
2019
January
  • CNS acquired land to construct a new company headquarters. 
March
  • Adam Galante, one of the first employees hired by John, became a shareholder of CNS. 
December
  • To align more closely with the CNS brand, Northern Insurance Specialists rebranded as CNS Insurance. 
2020
January
  • The leadership team expanded to focus on scalable growth strategies amid continued growth. 
May
  • The pandemic highlighted the importance of health in the workplace. We rose to the challenge by providing solutions for both existing and new clients, including temperature screening, COVID-19 testing, and vaccination services. CNS Occupational Medicine became the second mass vaccination site established in Pennsylvania and deployed mobile medical units to businesses for worker vaccinations. This relationship-building effort enhanced brand awareness and facilitated the development of a comprehensive Occupational Medicine division. 
September
  • CNS Occupational Medicine built a fleet of mobile units for drug testing, physical examinations, and audiometric testing. 
2021
February
  • Construction began on the new company headquarters. 
2022
January
  • The new headquarters officially opened. 
May
  • CNS Occupational Medicine acquired Access Quality Health Care, rebranding it as CNS Occupational Medicine of Delaware. 
2023
January
  • Work commenced on a new client portal called CNS Connects, scheduled for launch in January 2025. 
CNS Connects | Online Portal
Today

Today, CNS Companies is a leading provider of comprehensive solutions across DOT compliance, insurance, driver training, and occupational health. Through our subsidiaries, we leverage advanced technology, elite customer service, and a collaborative approach to empower clients with streamlined, industry-specific services. With a focus on innovation and growth, we continue to shape the future of compliance and safety for businesses nationwide.

Management

Our experienced Management Team is here to help!

CNS has a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of compliance, safety, FMCSA and OSHA regulations, CDL training, licensing, occupational medicine, and more. 

Let our team of professionals help your company navigate the many challenges of the complex regulations set forth by the Federal Department of Transportation.

CNS Companies

John Irwin, CDS
Chief Executive Officer

Professional Overview

As the CEO of CNS Companies, John Irwin is responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the company. He acquired a small business in Lititz, PA, Carolyn’s Notary Service, which provided many vehicle and driver’s licenses services in Pennsylvania. With John’s expertise in the truck licensing and compliance industry, it felt only natural that he begin offering vehicle fleet management services to businesses that needed help managing from one vehicle to a full fleet of vehicles. Over the years, the truck compliance and licensing grew so much that the two businesses split to serve customers better. Today, what started as a small town notary and licensing service has become a full-fledged, reputable, and nationally known DOT compliance and safety business. John has carefully assembled the right team to make Compliance Navigation Specialists one of the leading businesses of its kind. John has earned credentials as a Certified Safety Director from North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) as well as a Hazmat Certified Instructor from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Safety Institute. He holds a Class A CDL license, Property and Casualty insurance license, and also has his Certified Inspection Mechanics License for CAT 1, 2, and 3. In addition, John chairs the Board of Directors of CNS Insurance, which also serves the trucking industry. John was named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2018 “40 Under 40”, for his work leading the team at CNS.

Personal Overview

In his personal life, John loves being outdoors. He is an avid hunter and also enjoys boating, and playing a round of golf. These things are even more special to him when he can share them with his three young sons and daughter. John is a huge fan of Duke University’s Basketball Team and would never turn down an opportunity to see them play. He is active in his local church and chairs the board of transportation at Lititz Area Mennonite School, in Lititz, PA. He also enjoys coaching his sons’ basketball teams at the local rec center. John is happily married to his wife and best friend, Melissa. They have three sons, a daughter, and two German Shepherds. 

Melissa Irwin | Chief Human Resources Officer | CNS Companies
CNS Companies

Melissa Irwin
Chief Human Resources Officer

Professional Overview

As the Chief Human Resources Officer for CNS Companies, Melissa serves as a leader in human resources. Her focus is on attracting the best candidates to the team and helping each of them reach their full potential. She seeks to build a team within a positive corporate culture at CNS while advancing strategic initiatives by refining employee benefits and professional development for all departments.

Melissa manages industry memberships, associations, and connections, and collaborates with colleagues to develop new products and services. Her passion for CNS is to see the company grow, succeed, and be recognized as the leader for knowledgeable consultants in the transportation industry. She also coordinates strategic planning within the team and advisory board to execute company-wide growth.

Melissa’s past experience includes years as an insurance producer for CNS Insurance, a company  that she now sits on the board of directors of. Her passion for the transportation industry and transportation law grows from her desire to see the roads kept safer for her children.

Personal Overview

In her personal life, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family in their Lititz, PA home. She and her husband, John, have four young children, three boys and one girl. They also have two German Shepherds. She enjoys caring for her flower beds, koi, and water gardening on their property. Her children play soccer and basketball in local rec center leagues, and she can be found cheering them on from the sidelines on the weekends! Lewes, Delaware is her favorite place to vacation in the summer months. She enjoys taking in the beach, bay and inlets while boating, and restaurants on the Delaware coast.

CNS Companies

Adam Galante
Vice President of Operations

Professional Overview

As Vice President of Operations at CNS Companies, Adam Galante oversees all company operations and makes sure every customer receives the quality service they deserve. Adam worked his way through the compliance ranks starting as a licensing specialist. He now has over a decade of management experience, with more than half of that experience working directly with trucking and compliance. Adam has earned credentials as a Certified Safety Director from North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) and holds a Property and Casualty insurance license. Adam is proud to work for CNS, assisting customers throughout the United States while still giving each person that same hometown customer service that has always been a part of this growing company.

“I love working with our clients and making sure each client is legal and running a safe and profitable trucking company. Many clients think safety costs them, but once they implement our services they see it’s affordable and actually saving them money in the long run.”

Personal Overview

Outside of work, Adam loves spending time with his wife, Jessica, and son, Maxwell. They enjoy hiking and playing with their dogs, Charley and Tucker, and watching Philly sports. His degree is in hospitality and restaurant management, so he can cook pretty well.

RYAN BERARDI | VP OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT | CNS COMPANIES
CNS Companies

Ryan Berardi, Ed.D.
SVP of Training and Development

Professional Overview

As the Senior Vice President of Training & Development, Ryan Berardi leads the strategic and day-to-day operations of the Training & Development function for CNS Companies and their clients.

This entails crafting learning strategies and products to address competency gaps, enhance performance, facilitate change initiatives, and provide effective business guidance. Employing instructional design methodologies, Ryan designs and delivers comprehensive L&D curricula, including blended, virtual, and instructor-led approaches.

These initiatives remain closely aligned with CNS Companies’ overarching strategy of serving internal and external stakeholders with a forward thinking and growth-centered focus.  Ryan recognizes that a “best in class” company is one where employees continue to develop themselves, are proud of their workplace, and take great pride in delivering servant leadership to their clients and one another. 

Ryan has worked in the education, human development, and the learning capital fields since 2006 and has held leadership roles across both the public education and private business industries.  He holds a BSED from Millersville University, an M.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University, and a Doctor of Education from Immaculata University.  He has supported the development of hundreds of individual contributors and leaders working in locations such as schools/universities, distribution centers, remote/hybrid locations, office facing roles, as well as store/customer facing roles.  

Personal Overview

Ryan is the lucky husband of Melissa Berardi and the proud father of Cella Berardi.  Ryan and his family are active in a variety of volunteer roles at their church, The Worship Center.  He sits on the Board of Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services – providing empowerment, food, clothing, mentoring, & ministry for our struggling community members to sustainably improve their standard of living.  Ryan is also a volunteer for Lancaster County’s Junior Achievement, teaching business foundational skills to students in kindergarten through 6th grade. 

CNS Companies

Dean Weinhold
Vice President

Professional Overview

As Vice President of CNS Companies, Dean Weinhold has moved into a role as our trusted business advisor, as well as a reliable expert in the industry. Dean and John purchased Carolyn’s Notary Service, founded CNS, and grew both businesses into what they both are today. Dean is also the founder and operator of DW Trailers LLC, which he started in 2009 following more than a 25-year career that included truck and trailer sales, as well as compliance, safety management, and licensing. He is known as an advocate in PA who speaks on behalf of the transportation industry, and he is well-versed in truck and trailer laws. Dean holds a class A CDL, Inspection Mechanic License, and is an authorized school bus trainer. Dean sits on the board of Directors of CNS Insurance.

Personal Overview

In his personal life, Dean owns and works his own chicken farm in Ephrata, PA. He is an outdoorsman who enjoys boating, camping, farming, and watching Ford tractors in tractor pulls. He is also an active participant in his local church. Dean enjoys sharing his life with his wife, Linda. They have four children and five grandchildren.

CNS Companies

Christopher Kiehl
VP of Business Development

Professional Overview

As the Vice President of Business Development, Chris’s role at CNS is to oversee the sales and marketing department. Chris brings high energy to the team and operation as well as the clients we serve.  Adding to the proactive census within the team, he wants to work with clients and business owners to get ahead of their compliance and safety issues to save lives and add sustainable jobs within the economy. Chris brings strong customer service skills to the team and wants to exceed expectations set forth with our clients.

Personal Overview

Chris enjoys time away from work with his wife Kelly, sons, Henri and Benjamin, and their cat Oliver. He loves to have a good time conversing with people regarding movies, music, food and any other hot topics. Chris formerly was a head varsity coach for LCHS and still enjoys playing hardball with former teammates and players.

CNS Companies

Jared Kline
VP of DOT Compliance &
Risk Management

Professional Overview

Jared’s role as VP of DOT Compliance & Risk Management is to provide both direct support to companies in various industries when it comes to both Federal/State Regulations, but also insight into best practices and strategies to limit overall risk. Jared also works on developing services for CNS that are specifically designed to help carriers remain in compliance with regulations as well as maintain a high standard of safety. Jared’s oversight additionally covers CNS’ Proactive Safety Management program, which is a full-service solution to Motor Carrier’s Safety & Compliance needs. He travels frequently conducting Mock Audits, Risk Assessments, as well as Safety & Compliance Training to both Motor Carriers and commercial drivers.  Jared is a NATMI Certified Director of Safety, Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Producer, and Class A CDL Holder. Jared is also a very active member of both the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association as well as the North American Transportation Management Institute.

Personal Overview

In his life outside of the office, Jared enjoys travelling with his wife, Shannon and dog, Hank. He is an avid golfer, Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and University of Michigan Football Fan and enjoys going to as many games as possible. Jared also loves a variety of musical genres and always enjoys taking in live music when he gets the opportunity.

CNS Driver Training Center

Jolyn Graham
Vice President of Operations

Professional Overview

Jolyn is the Vice President of Operations of the CNS Driver Training Center. He has worked in the trucking industry as a Commercial Truck Driver for the past 10 years with experience ranging from a large pickup truck and trailer to Class A tractor trailer hauling oversized loads.

Jolyn has a positive attitude, always looks to improve, and plans to take what he has learned on the road and apply it to CNS Driver Training Center so all trainees become safe and successful truck drivers.

Jolyn is dedicated to the development of professional, skilled drivers through the CNS curriculum and training and will be instrumental in the growth and success of the CNS Driver Training Center.

Personal Overview

Outside of work, Jolyn enjoys travelling and spending time with his wife, attending Nascar races, snowboarding, or a good Marvel movie if he isn’t on the move. His favorite place to travel and ideal place to live is Belize in Central America because of the excellent food and year-round warm weather. Even though he leans toward warm weather, as an avid snowboarder, he knows what he is doing on the slopes.

CNS Companies

Ron Haws
Controller

Professional Overview

Ron is the Controller for CNS Companies. As the former Agency Director of CNS Insurance he is dedicated to risk mitigation, safety education of truckers across the country, and the overall vision of CNS Companies.

Ron brings 25 years of management experience to CNS Insurance and has proven leadership in high-risk and human capital-intensive business operations. His technical expertise in finance, law, general business issues and complex systems and processes with organizations in the $3 million to $7 million revenue range make him especially well-suited for the multi-state footprint and growth of CNS Insurance.

Ron is a committed life-long learner and loves the insurance industry and its associated complexities. His passion is to help truckers save money and protect themselves financially while always being accessible to talk on the phone or answer emails. For Ron, service is as important as insurance coverage.

Personal Overview

In his spare time Ron spends time with his three dogs, catching up on yard work, enjoying time with friends and family as well as the latest on Netflix and streaming in general. Ron is also an avid cyclist and swimmer and can do both with a glass of wine in his hand.

About CNS Companies

About CNS Companies

CNS Companies is a holding company consisting of several different companies including Compliance Navigation Specialists, CNS Insurance, CNS Driver Training Center, CNS Occupational Medicine, and CNS Licensing Center.

Each company is focused on a service specific to the industry it specializes in. We specialize in assisting clients throughout the US in the transportation, manufacturing, construction, service, education and medical industries.

Interested in careers?

Mission and Vision

Our Values

Our Vision

Our vision is to consistently surpass expectations in client care, innovation, and trust in all divisions. We are obsessive in making what is often difficult, frictionless, for our clients.

Our mission

To do everything possible to maximize the success, time, and confidence for our clients by integrating services and support focused on safety, efficiency, and clarity in the compliance, insurance, training, and occupational health industries.

Our Values

We value positive, lasting relationships with our team and clients by delivering honest service. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals seeks to understand the communities we serve.

  • Lasting Relationships
  • Professionalism
  • Integrity
  • Client Focused
  • Servant Leadership

Our Building - Parking Map

Parking at CNS Companies

Please be respectful of the different parking areas at CNS Companies. We have several different divisions here at CNS Companies with completely different functions. Please reference this map for parking spots depending on the purpose of your visit.

CNS Companies Parking Diagram | CNS Companies

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  • 151 Koser Road Lititz, PA 17543

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