Dwayne Bowden, lead instructor for Flagger Force in Eastern North Carolina, has built an impressive career over the past five years. His path to becoming a lead instructor at Flagger Force started in a completely different field. Before joining the company, Dwayne worked as a supervisor in a call center, managing a team of 10 to 12 agents. The environment, however, was less than ideal—enclosed in a windowless building, with limited breaks and an overwhelming sense of burnout. He longed for a change.
Attracted by the opportunity to work outside and be a part of a dynamic team, Dwayne applied for a job with Flagger Force, where his fresh start and journey began. When Dwayne joined the team, he started his career as a crew member. His first week on the job was a whirlwind as he recalls, “It was all very mind-boggling at first—stopping vehicles that are traveling 60 miles per hour.” But Dwayne wasn’t alone; he was paired with a seasoned advanced crew leader, who guided him through the ins and outs of the role—”she made me feel at ease during those early days, setting the stage for my time at Flagger Force.”
What’s perhaps most remarkable about Dwayne’s journey is the personal transformation he underwent. Before Flagger Force, he never saw himself as someone who would thrive at the front of the classroom. “I was the shy kid in the back of the class, not asking questions,” he admits. But his role at Flagger Force and the people he met, like his trainers and field managers, changed that. “I knew after meeting [them] that I wanted to be an instructor…this has brought out a better side of me,” Dwayne reflects. “I’ve learned to open up, ask more questions, and be myself.”
For Dwayne, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is seeing others succeed. He vividly remembers the moment he was promoted to a field trainer II as a personal accomplishment. But what truly makes the job special is when his students come back to thank him for helping them advance at Flagger Force.
One story that stands out to Dwayne involves a crew leader, Danny P. After Dwayne’s instruction, Danny was promoted from crew member to crew leader, and his gratitude for Dwayne’s guidance made a lasting impact. “He told me, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here,’ and that’s the most rewarding part of my job—knowing I’ve helped someone grow,” Dwayne reflects. “I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be in a truck, I wouldn’t be a crew lead,’” Dwayne shares. “But I always tell them, ‘You did the work. I just gave you the material.’”
Dwayne has truly found his calling—inspiring and helping others succeed in this industry just as he has. “Traffic control is an important industry, one that is needed, and one that needs to be taken more seriously.” He acknowledges. “The advice I have for those looking to succeed in this industry is simple: learn everything you can. Ask questions—the primary questions: how, what, and why,” Dwayne says.
Reflecting on the most rewarding aspect of his job, Dwayne shared, “getting to see everyone get promoted, watching them succeed, and knowing they learned from either me or my field trainers. We teach them the craft of the job, and they go out there, implement it, and do what they were taught in the correct way—the safe way!”
He continued, “the stakes are so much higher at Flagger Force than other organizations or jobs, and a lot of them do have training protocols, but our training is probably one of the most stringent. I’ve gone through well over 150 hours of just training alone. The training courses and the certifications are all about making sure we do the job right. And that means keeping everyone safe and protecting the lives of our team, our clients, and our communities.”
When asked why he continues to work at Flagger Force, Dwayne’s answer is simple: passion. “It’s my passion to let everyone know that flagging is an important job. I’ve found where I want to be. It’s not just a job—it’s where I belong,” Dwayne says.
Dwayne’s story is one of transformation—from a windowless call center to the wide-open roads of North Carolina, where he ensures safety and efficiency on every job. His passion, dedication, and leadership have made him a vital part of Flagger Force’s success, and his journey is far from over— fueled by perseverance and a desire to teach, he continues to shape the future of safety and traffic control in Eastern North Carolina.
MORE ABOUT DWAYNE
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to go camping, hiking, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
Who do you admire the most? My dad. He was my hero, and I’m sure he is proud of the person that I’ve become.
What does your Flagger Force future look like? My climb is not done, and if an opportunity presents itself, I’m going to keep climbing this mountain.