Dallas College

Student Experience: Rodney Hinkle

“A few months out of high school, I found out about the motorcycle, small-engine and marine courses offered at Cedar Valley. In my early childhood, my father had a custom bike-building shop, which allowed me to become familiar with repairing bikes. I also took a small engine class in school, which helped equip me with the skills I needed to repair small engines. 

“I felt it would be to my benefit to take the marine course offered at Cedar Valley since I enjoyed being around the outdoors and water as well. After completing the course, I received a certificate on Evinrude/Johnson outboard engines. I was able to get a job quickly at the marina Texas Hydro Sports, where I repaired personal watercraft for 10 years and also attended Sea-Doo courses that allowed me to become certified in Sea-Doo repair. 

“I was ready to move on to a more challenging career and took a position at Kawasaki City of Dallas. I have been with Kawasaki City for 11 years now, and in my job, I repair personal watercraft, motorcycles and ATVs. I have also received several Kawasaki certificates as well. 

“I truly believe that I am where I am today because of the basic skills I acquired at Cedar Valley 21 years ago to launch my career.”  Rodney Hinkle earned a certificate in Marine Technology from Cedar Valley.


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Rodney Taylor

Rodney Taylor

Management Coordinator Prevost, a division of Volvo Group; Adjunct Faculty Diesel Maintenance Technician Program
“The labs I worked in at Dallas College had all of the latest equipment, and that’s what I learned on. I think that my advanced training is part of what helped me move up the career ladder; I just knew a lot more than most of my peers because of my training.”
Automotive Technology
Anthony Eaton

Anthony Eaton

Auto/Diesel Instructor Lincoln College of Technology
“My experience in both the Diesel and Automotive Tech programs was excellent. I got such a good background of updated technology in school, which I later found out put me ahead in the industry.”
Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment
Erick Flores-Ortega

Erick Flores-Ortega

CADD Student and STEM Ambassador
“Within different clubs like STEM, you find opportunities that could lead to a job or just a friendly face to talk about shared experiences. Having that community helps.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Mike Walker

Supervisor of Mechanical Design Continental Electronics Corp.
“You should never stop learning in today’s world. If you do, you get left behind like the dinosaurs. Once you have knowledge, though, no one can take it away from you. The most important thing I learned is how to have the tools you need in today’s workforce.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Rodney Hinkle
Rodney Hinkle
Service Technician, Kawasaki City
Automotive Technology
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated June 12, 2026