Automotive and Diesel Technologies

Jake Alliton – Automotive Instructor

Professor Jake Alliton received a degree in Automotive and Diesel Truck Technology in 1984 from Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis, IN and an A.S. degree in Automotive Service Technology in 2006 from Florida Community College. He has worked in the automotive industry for 20 years, mainly as a technician for Duval Ford and Mike Shad Ford of Jacksonville.
He is a Senior Master Ford Technician, the highest qualification that can be achieved as a Ford technician. In addition, he has been an ASE Master Certified Technician since 1991 and holds ASE Certification in Advanced Automotive Engine Performance.

Professor Alliton has been teaching automotive classes at Florida Community College since 2003 and currently lives in Middleburg, FL with his wife of 21 years and their two children. In his spare time, he enjoys restoring classic performance cars.

Gary Denton – Diesel Instructor

Professor Gary Denton earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Workforce Education and Development. He worked in the automotive industry for more than 20 years, mainly as a technician for Urka Chevrolet (Ludington) in the truck and diesel department, and as an engineman (diesel mechanic) in the U.S. Navy until retiring in May 2003.

Professor Denton is an ASE Certified Master Diesel Technician with certificates in the following: gasoline engines, diesel engines, drive train, brakes, suspension and steering, electrical/electronic systems, heating/vent/air/conditioning, and preventive maintenance inspection. He also has Automotive ASE Certificates in manual drive train and axles, as well as in brakes. Gary teaches all of the diesel classes and the Introduction to Automobile Technology course.

Professor Denton and his wife, Kristi, moved to Jacksonville in August of 1994 with their daughter and two boys and became enchanted with its charm. In his spare time he enjoys repairing vehicles for church members, making improvements to his house and spending quality time with his family.

Daniel Hodges, Jr. – Collision Repair and Refinish Instructor

Professor Daniel Hodges graduated in 1983 from the Charlton County High School in Folkston, GA and completed collision repair and refinish training at Waycross-Ware County Technical School. He has worked in the automotive collision repair industry for 21 years, mainly as a technician for Nimnicht Chevrolet and at Callahan Body and Paint, where he served five years as manager.

He is an ASE Master Certified Collision Repair and Refinish Technician, and he also has numerous I-CAR, Toyota, Lexus, DuPont and Chief Certifications. Professor Hodges is certified to teach all areas of automotive collision repair and refinishing.

He has lived in St. George, GA with his wife and three sons for more than 20 years and enjoys working with the Boy Scouts of America, his church youth group and any outdoor activities.

Jeffrey Rehkopf – Automotive Instructor

Professor Jeffrey Rehkopf received his bachelor’s degree in 1991 from the University of North Florida. He has worked in the automotive industry for more than 38 years, starting as a technician at Brumos Porsche, and he recently completed 20 years of teaching at Florida Community College.

He is an ASE Certified Master Technician and has had two automotive textbooks published by Prentice Hall, and he teaches several classes including General Motors ASEP courses in electrical, brakes, steering and suspension, and air conditioning.

Professor Rehkopf enjoys sail racing and helping his wife take care of a small farm and a horse.

Paul Soar – Automotive Instructor

Professor Paul Soar is a GM ASEP graduate from the Sheridan Vocational in Hollywood, Florida. He also holds an A.S. degree in Automotive Technology from Broward Community College. In addition, he is a Master ASE Certified Technician. Professor Soar has worked in the automotive industry for 19 years as a technician for General Motors dealerships, and he has taught automotive training classes at Florida Community College for three years.

Donald Thompson – Instructional Program Manager

Donnie grew up in the automotive business working in a family owned repair shop and auto parts store in Mississippi. After graduating from college, Donnie worked as manager and co-owner of Thompson, Inc. until he and his wife moved to Jacksonville. He has more than 20 years experience in the automotive service industry and has been an ASE Certified Master Auto Technician since 1997. He graduated from Florida Southern College in 1994 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.

Donnie Thompson joined Florida Community College in 2004 as the program manager for the Automotive and Diesel Technology department. What he likes best about working at Florida Community College is the privilege of helping people change their lives for the better.

Donnie enjoys World Rally Cup racing, baseball and spending time with friends and family. He lives in Macclenny, FL with his wife, Tara, and their two daughters.