Faculty and Administration

Jason Broeker tells us, “Ranken provided practical automotive knowledge to use as foundation to start my career. Upon program completion, I was ready to enter my field and engage.” Jason graduated in November of 1999 with an associate degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He is currently the Service Manager for Lou Fusz Subaru. Jason also worked an internship at Lou Fusz Dodge while attending Ranken. Internships are wonderful opportunities to demonstrate your talent and knowledge of the industry and establish solid relationships with prospective employers. Jason says his favorite memories during his time at Ranken were the days spent in line class, working in the shop environment with his peers.

Nathan Pitchford, General Manager at Lou Fusz Subaru, explains “Jason came to us ready, prepared to work, and added immediate value to our team. His work ethic and attention to detail stood out right away. Jason has gone through several promotions at our dealership, and we are now proud to have him as our Service Manager. Jason gets recognition from his coworkers and clients regularly. He has helped improve our dealership’s reputation in the community and we are lucky to have him on our team.”

Jason’s cousin, Michael Davenport graduated from Ranken’s Automotive Maintenance Technology program in 1995. His uncle, Gerald Davenport, graduated in June 1970 from the Automotive Maintenance and Repair program and taught for Ranken several years afterward. Another of Jason’s uncles, Allen Davenport, also taught Automotive Maintenance for Ranken for nearly 40 years.

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/
https://subaru.fusz.com/

Adam Blattel is much like many talented adults who spend years in search of their niche. Adam graduated with an Associate Degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology in May 2003. He returned to Ranken the fall term of 2019 as an evening student to pursue a two-year certificate in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC), graduating in December 2020. Adam is a HVAC Technician at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Benjamin Brown, HVAC Section Supervisor at Scott Air Force Base and HVAC instructor at Ranken Technical College, tells us “Adam was in my residential HVAC class. He was very serious about his education. He worked hard in class and asked lots of questions; his communication skills are outstanding. Adam applied for a temporary position at Scott AFB in the 375^th HVAC Shop. This is a great way to gain experience working on all types of commercial, residential, and institutional equipment just coming out of school. He was hired as an apprentice but is working at a journeyman skill level. Adam is maintaining critical chillers, pumps, and air handling units that enable the Air Force global mission. He has been recognized as the ‘Performer of the Month’ for the 375^th Civil Engineering Squadron. His background is working with computers and this fits in great when working with automated control systems. Adam is always on time and ready to work. He displays outstanding work ethic.  I am proud to know Adam and to have been one of his instructors.”

Adam acknowledges, “My certificate from Ranken is the only reason I have this job. Every respected employer in this region requires you to attend Ranken. When speaking with potential employers in the Greater St. Louis area, like Jarrell Contracting and the Union, I repeatedly heard the same advice, ‘You have to go to Ranken.’” Of Adam’s favorite memories while attending Ranken, he enjoyed helping younger students succeed.

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/
https://www.scott.af.mil/

Pictured, left to right, Blake Forward, Cameron Anderson, Jacob Bailey, Jacob Crum

It’s not unusual to discover several Ranken Tech grads on the payroll of our industry partners. Machens Ford Dealership in Columbia, Missouri is one such company. Jared Phillippe, service advisor, warranty administrator, and service manager, tells us he currently has four of our graduates working on his team. “All four are great technicians with tons of knowledge and great work ethics.  We couldn’t be any happier with the quality of techs we have seen come from Ranken.  We look forward to continuing to recruit and employing more like them. We’ve heard rumors about Ranken opening a location in our region and we’d love to see that happen.”

On his team are automotive maintenance graduates: Jacob Bailey and Cameron Anderson (2020), Blake Forward (Magna Cum Laude, 2019), and Jacob Crum (Summa Cum Laude, 2017). Jacob Crum also graduated from Ranken’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Management (BSAM) Summa Cum Laude in 2018.

Jacob Bailey shared, “Ranken set me up to meet some of the greatest friends that I have now and gave me the opportunity to work my way up in one of the biggest Ford dealers in Missouri. I made so many great memories at Ranken.” Jared Phillippe says, “Jacob Bailey came to us work-ready and well trained. Jacob was recently promoted from technician to service advisor. He’s self-motivated and we love him here.”

Andrew Jesse, Ranken Automotive Certified Dealership Technician Program instructor, explained, “Machens Ford in Columbia is a tremendous industry partner and is key to the success of these students. Each of these students has a unique skill set and their dealership is helping them to continue to develop those skills. Jacob Crum is now a Ford Certified Senior Master Technician, Cameron Anderson & Blake Forward are advancing towards the senior master level, and Jacob Bailey is currently pursuing the path to service management by working as a service advisor at his dealership.”

https://www.machensford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joemachensford
Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Pictured, left to right, Blake Forward, Cameron Anderson, Jacob Bailey, Jacob Crum

It’s not unusual to discover several Ranken Tech grads on the payroll of our industry partners. Machens Ford Dealership in Columbia, Missouri is one such company. Jared Phillippe, service advisor, warranty administrator, and service manager, tells us he currently has four of our graduates working on his team. “All four are great technicians with tons of knowledge and great work ethics.  We couldn’t be any happier with the quality of techs we have seen come from Ranken.  We look forward to continuing to recruit and employing more like them. We’ve heard rumors about Ranken opening a location in our region and we’d love to see that happen.”

On his team are automotive maintenance graduates: Jacob Bailey and Cameron Anderson (2020), Blake Forward (Magna Cum Laude, 2019), and Jacob Crum (Summa Cum Laude, 2017). Jacob Crum also graduated from Ranken’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Management (BSAM) Summa Cum Laude in 2018.

Jacob Bailey shared, “Ranken set me up to meet some of the greatest friends that I have now and gave me the opportunity to work my way up in one of the biggest Ford dealers in Missouri. I made so many great memories at Ranken.” Jared Phillippe says, “Jacob Bailey came to us work-ready and well trained. Jacob was recently promoted from technician to service advisor. He’s self-motivated and we love him here.”

Andrew Jesse, Ranken Automotive Certified Dealership Technician Program instructor, explained, “Machens Ford in Columbia is a tremendous industry partner and is key to the success of these students. Each of these students has a unique skill set and their dealership is helping them to continue to develop those skills. Jacob Crum is now a Ford Certified Senior Master Technician, Cameron Anderson & Blake Forward are advancing towards the senior master level, and Jacob Bailey is currently pursuing the path to service management by working as a service advisor at his dealership.”

https://www.machensford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joemachensford
Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Pictured, left to right, Blake Forward, Cameron Anderson, Jacob Bailey, Jacob Crum

It’s not unusual to discover several Ranken Tech grads on the payroll of our industry partners. Machens Ford Dealership in Columbia, Missouri is one such company. Jared Phillippe, service advisor, warranty administrator, and service manager, tells us he currently has four of our graduates working on his team. “All four are great technicians with tons of knowledge and great work ethics.  We couldn’t be any happier with the quality of techs we have seen come from Ranken.  We look forward to continuing to recruit and employing more like them. We’ve heard rumors about Ranken opening a location in our region and we’d love to see that happen.”

On his team are automotive maintenance graduates: Jacob Bailey and Cameron Anderson (2020), Blake Forward (Magna Cum Laude, 2019), and Jacob Crum (Summa Cum Laude, 2017). Jacob Crum also graduated from Ranken’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Management (BSAM) Summa Cum Laude in 2018.

Jacob Bailey shared, “Ranken set me up to meet some of the greatest friends that I have now and gave me the opportunity to work my way up in one of the biggest Ford dealers in Missouri. I made so many great memories at Ranken.” Jared Phillippe says, “Jacob Bailey came to us work-ready and well trained. Jacob was recently promoted from technician to service advisor. He’s self-motivated and we love him here.” 

Andrew Jesse, Ranken Automotive Certified Dealership Technician Program instructor, explained, “Machens Ford in Columbia is a tremendous industry partner and is key to the success of these students. Each of these students has a unique skill set and their dealership is helping them to continue to develop those skills. Jacob Crum is now a Ford Certified Senior Master Technician, Cameron Anderson & Blake Forward are advancing towards the senior master level, and Jacob Bailey is currently pursuing the path to service management by working as a service advisor at his dealership.”

https://www.machensford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joemachensford
Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Pictured, left to right, Blake Forward, Cameron Anderson, Jacob Bailey, Jacob Crum

It’s not unusual to discover several Ranken Tech grads on the payroll of our industry partners. Machens Ford Dealership in Columbia, Missouri is one such company. Jared Phillippe, service advisor, warranty administrator, and service manager, tells us he currently has four of our graduates working on his team. “All four are great technicians with tons of knowledge and great work ethics.  We couldn’t be any happier with the quality of techs we have seen come from Ranken.  We look forward to continuing to recruit and employing more like them. We’ve heard rumors about Ranken opening a location in our region and we’d love to see that happen.”

On his team are automotive maintenance graduates: Jacob Bailey and Cameron Anderson (2020), Blake Forward (Magna Cum Laude, 2019), and Jacob Crum (Summa Cum Laude, 2017). Jacob Crum also graduated from Ranken’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Management (BSAM) Summa Cum Laude in 2018.

Jacob Bailey shared, “Ranken set me up to meet some of the greatest friends that I have now and gave me the opportunity to work my way up in one of the biggest Ford dealers in Missouri. I made so many great memories at Ranken.” Jared Phillippe says, “Jacob Bailey came to us work-ready and well trained. Jacob was recently promoted from technician to service advisor. He’s self-motivated and we love him here.”

Andrew Jesse, Ranken Automotive Certified Dealership Technician Program instructor, explained, “Machens Ford in Columbia is a tremendous industry partner and is key to the success of these students. Each of these students has a unique skill set and their dealership is helping them to continue to develop those skills. Jacob Crum is now a Ford Certified Senior Master Technician, Cameron Anderson & Blake Forward are advancing towards the senior master level, and Jacob Bailey is currently pursuing the path to service management by working as a service advisor at his dealership.”

https://www.machensford.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joemachensford
Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Pete’s first job after graduating was for a construction company in Madison, IL repairing heavy equipment. After this his career took a different path. Pete decided to become a police officer which he did for two years. He then got into security work and completed his bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University in 1990. He eventually got hired to work security at Emerson which he did for 32 years before retiring. Pete did not stay retired long. After two years he got bored and went to work for Guarda Security where he still works. Pete says, “Ranken was a great school. I am glad I went there. The safety training, I received at Ranken saved my life. In my first job a piece of medal punctured a vein in my wrist. I was bleeding really bad and I remembered what our teachers told us to do. I immediately put pressure on the wound to control the bleeding until I got to the hospital.” Pete has two daughters and three grandkids. He remembers carpooling with classmates Tom Kasprovich and John Calaway and talking with the guys about racing cars, a hobby which he enjoyed for years at Gateway and Alton Dragway. Pete wrote a book on weight loss in 1993 titled Thirty-Five Pounds Gone.