Student Experience: Edward Bedford

“I studied drafting in high school and the first few years of college. With the big change in technology that includes computers and AutoCAD, I wanted to further my education. I have always had a passion for drafting, design and engineering, and the CADD program had just what was needed to help further my career. 

“The environment and atmosphere were conducive for nontraditional students, which is what I was at the time I enrolled. I believe that the faculty and staff at Eastfield helped me with my transition to the college environment. 

“My education has given me the basic skills needed to keep up with the growing and fast pace of CADD and design technology. The most important thing that I learned was the standard of leadership that included improving my administrative and technology skills in addition to good communication and planning skills. 

“I would like to thank Dr. Micheal Hutchins, Bill Sorrells, Larry Mosby [retired] and Dr. Mike Kirkpatrick [retired former program coordinator]. All of these guys had long-standing tenure with the college and liked to see all students achieve their own personal goals in order to be successful in life. They have each been instrumental in my career and education. 

“There are many avenues that can be created by having a degree from this program, and I would recommend it to current and prospective students who have an interest in working with 2-D and 3-D CAD, engineering and design.” 

Edward Bedford earned an associate degree in Computer Aided Design and Drafting in 1999. He is responsible for all activities of the CAD department for his employer and produces 2-D and 3-D CAD design and modeling work using Unigraphics, Catia, I-deas and AutoCAD. He is also a member of the CADD Advisory Board. Hilite International is a design and manufacturing company for major automotive companies such as Ford, Chrysler, GM and Honda.


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Alonzo Adams

Alonzo L. Adams

Self-Employed Mechanic Adjunct Automotive Technology Faculty Cedar Valley
“I was eager to learn, and the Diesel program really excited me. The more I learned, the more I realize it’s not so hard. All of my instructors have been knowledgeable; any questions I had for them, they were pretty much able to answer everything. These are great courses if you want to work on diesel engines.”
Automotive, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment
Rafael Merren

Rafael Merren

Owner/Operator Grump’s Rod Shop
“It’s great to have intelligent capabilities, but if you don’t have the skillsets to back them up, what’s the point of going out into the real world? If you have a practical skill, you can always put bread on the table.”
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Kathryn Jaeger

Kathryn Jaeger

Technician, Trophy Nissan of Mesquite
“People look at a car and open the hood and see all the hoses and connections, and maybe think, ‘I am never going to figure this out.' Then you learn the basic concepts, and it’s more simplistic than you would think.”
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Doug Jochum

Doug Jochum

Art Teacher Skyline High School
“The students here are also attentive and helpful — I found out right away that there’s a group of them who have been here a while and who will chip in to help you do anything you don’t understand or help hold something you’re working on. I think that attitude is a reflection of the teaching here as well.”
Welding
Edward Bedford
Edward Bedford
3-D CAD Designer Hilite International

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated July 28, 2026