LARRY SPAFFORD KRULL

    OUR PATRIARCH

    FOUNDER OF MIDWEST DRIVING SCHOOL II

    1940- 2025

    A tribute

    A man of humble beginnings, Larry hailed from Blue Mound Kansas and has called Lawrence his home since 1985. His goal was to give back to the community by providing quality and affordable Drivers Education to everyone. He has driven thousands of students and his legacy leaves his family the loyalty of second and third generations of students who bring their children, siblings and grandchildren to our school. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Pittsburg State University. He taught Psychology, Industrial Arts, Personal Community Health, Physical Education and Drivers Education. He also coached from 1968 to 1984. He actively coached and owned Senior Softball Teams  and propagated the sport all over the State of Kansas and was awarded an Ambassador for the Sport as he toured and competed up to the World Tournaments for it. The good name he left  and the value of service he instilled in his family through Drivers Education was his legacy. To date , three generations of the Krull family has served in the operation of the Driving School.

    JOYCELIN T. KRULL, PRESIDENT / CEO

    With over 35 years of managerial experience, Joyce now is the President and CEO of  Midwest Driving School.  Equipped with a post graduate course in Law from the Philippine Law School, she sees to it that everything  is in order and well accounted for.  From their family  business of real estate came her penchant for starting companies, being the Owner/CEO of JAT Realty, she moved by being the Consultant for Tourism for the Office of Cong Ruben Torres and Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Council of the Province of Zambales Philippines. After that stint among others, she served top management positions for various hotels like Days Inn Philippines Subic, Summit Hotel Subic, Forestview Leisure Residences and was part owner of Herbies Mansion Subic. She was an AVP of SBPhil  Devt’ Corp and the SBPhil Corp that  built to make the Funtastic Park, a themepark in Subic Bay Philippines.She was pivotal in bringing Geely Cars to the Philippines through Pan- Fil Intertrade Development Corp. She was not contented in just starting up companies and was active as President of the Rotary Club of Subic Bay and was the Fleet Commodore for  the International Yatching Fellowship of Rotarians who were very much involved in the Coastal Cleanup for Subic Bay and the Province of Zambales. She was all over until she married  Midwest Patriarch Larry S. Krull where her life became simplier by managing the school with the good name that is Midwest Driving School. Now she is moving forward in advancing the company the husband and wife tandem handled together in advancing changes to the old system as they continue its service of providing the best quality of drivers education in the State of Kansas.

    STEVE KRULL, EXTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT

    A very well level headed person, he is the eldest of the Krull’s. His input in the company is vital as he puts equilibrium and order in everything.

    Serving students in the Johnson County area, Steve is the longest serving Senior Instructor of the Midwest Driving School. Helping out his father since 1995, Steve is one of the most sought after instructors due to his patience, soft words and diligence to his students. He attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University.

    Grandfather to Kia, Kobe and Preston, his goal is to instill the same safety habits to his students in Drivers Education as he would for his own grandchildren.

    VIA RODRIGUEZ, INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT

    Proficient in organizing and planning; Via coordinates and assists with the daily operations at MDS. With a keen sense of responsibility Via has helped increase the satisfaction rate among our clientele, thus skyrocketing the productivity of our company. We are delighted to have such dedicated member on our team.

    Initiate the corporate social responsibility for the school by sponsoring medical missions and outreach programs that beneffited the under priviledged sector of the society.

    With a bachelors degree in Biology and a Doctorate of Medicine degree; Via is known to be resilient, attentive, and hard working. Via enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband Kevin and her daughter Kassidy.

    MICHAEL KRULL

    Coach Mike, as he is known to everyone, has taught in the Public Schools since 1991 and has taught Drivers Education since 1995. He has regularly been with the Midwest Driving School helping his father since 2013.

    He has an Associates of Applied Science from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Pittsburg State University. The youngest second generation Krull, Mike has served on active duty in the Air Force for 3 years and 17 years in the Kansas Air National Guard.

    CAMERON KRULL

    Also from the third generation of Krulls, this eldest grandson of Larry, is not new to Drivers Education. He has learned from his father Steve the values and commitments that this profession entails. Now he teaches everyday and is considered to be one of the most conscientious instructors of Midwest Driving School. Cameron looks forward to continuing the legacy of the family.

    WEI TONG

    Wei Tong has helped Midwest Driving School make Drivers Education more accessible for Chinese and Asian students. She provides Mandarin Chinese speaking instruction for our students and helps with other services they need, making it more convenient for new students.

    WERNHER VON ANTOLIN TORRES

    The love for wheels and anything mechanical is what led him into teaching drivers education. He learned to drive at a very young age when his dad Edgardo Torres would put him on his lap and drive their old Ford Cortina at the back of their house. After that, anything that has wheels became his passion including restoring bicycles, to showcasing modified cars that won Car Shows allover. He also owned an auto mechanical shop called Werhner Top Gear Automotive Trading and Services that repaired and sold cars and trucks. He prides of teaching his children Daimler and Chrysler( still named after cars) drivers’ education and continues his passion by teaching young and old alike to be safe drivers on the road.

    Francis "Frank" Kelly Jr.

    Frank Kelly grew up in New York State and Washington, DC.
    Frank is married and has 2 grown children and 4 grandkids.
    He has lived in Lawrence since 1975 and operated his own newspaper distributing business here for 38 years.
    Driving at night for a living, Frank noticed there are many dangerous drivers out there and that motivated him to teach young people to be safe drivers.
    Frank has been a writer all his life and was a columnist for The Kansas City Star for several years.
    Frank teaches students both in the classroom and in the car to drive to arrive alive.

    WILLIAM KILGORE JR.

    This soft spoken instuctor has been with the school for a while now and is one of the favorite request of parents for their children due to his patience in driving even the most unexperienced students.

    He served 3 years in the marine corps and worked at Amerian Eagle for 6 years. He has two sons and two daughters and a proud grandfather to 6 granddaughters and 5 grandsons He is prouder now to have one great granddaughter as his grandprize.

    Joy Manhnieo

    Joy Manhnieo, originally from Laos, has lived in Olathe, KS for over 45 years. A devoted wife and mother of two, she’s been a valued instructor at Midwest Driving School for 4 years. Joy is passionate about helping local youth gain confidence behind the wheel and offers translation services to support the Laotian community in learning to drive safely.

    KEVIN PANGANIBAN, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

    Originally from Michigan, Kevin came to MDS with a goal and a vision. Providing expertise in organizational management and mastery in strategic planning. His exemplary leadership drive and exceptional interpersonal skills makes him a valuable asset to our company. Since 2021 Kevin has been serving as our Chief Administrative Officer to which he strives for continuous improvement.

    With a Bachelors of Science degree in Medical Technology and a Doctorate of Medicine degree; Kevin displays ambition, perseverance, and professional dedication.

    He helped the school with by devising programs that would secure medical safety both for the students and the instructors.

    During his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Via and daughter Kassidy.