Cerritos College Honors Automotive Technology Graduates

Students Complete Training to Become Chrysler Certified Technicians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2008

Media Contact:Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287

NORWALK, Calif. - July 21, 2007 - Cerritos College honored 12 graduates of the Chrysler College Automotive Program (CAP) on July 16 at a ceremony held at Frantone’s in Cerritos. The students received both associate's degrees in automotive technology and qualified certification to service Chrysler vehicles.

Cerritos College's CAP Coordinator/Instructor Richard Aragon, CAP Instructor Frank Vega, Dean of Technology Dr. Randy Peebles and Automotive Program Facilitator Amna Jara welcomed and addressed the graduates during the event.

In attendance from Chrysler were Chrysler Academy Denver and West Business Centers Area Technical Training Manager Kenneth Benson, DCX West Business Center Service and Parts Dealer Operations Manager Vince Kreizinger and Chrysler Technical Training Los Angeles Training Center Supervisor Gregory Smith.

"Every industry has leaders and these CAP Graduates are the leaders in their field,” said Kreizinger. “They are truly the best of the best!”

Following are the names of 12 graduating students and the dealers that sponsored them:

Oswaldo Aragon – Casa De Gonzales, South Gate
Matthew Cervantes – Glenn E. Thomas Dodge, Signal Hill
Albert De La Cruz – Don-A-Vee Chrysler Jeep, Placentia
Adam Evans – Glenn E. Thomas Dodge, Signal Hill
Adolfo Flores – Moothart Chrysler Dodge, Cerritos
Simon Gastelum – Star Chrysler Jeep, Glendale
Misael Gonzalez – Chrysler Jeep of Ontario, Ontario
Gabriel Gutierrez – Clippinger Chrysler Jeep Dodge, West Covina
Eduardo Leyva – Champion Dodge, Downey
Gilberto Lopez – Glenn E. Thomas Dodge, Signal Hill
Obdulio Rivera – Buerge Chrysler Jeep, West Los Angeles
Noe Soto – Car Pros Chrysler Jeep, Carson

Chrysler's College Automotive Program (CAP) is a two-year automotive program which allows students at Cerritos College to gain experience servicing Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. During the two-year program, students take part in classroom learning and gain hands-on internship experience at local dealerships – something that has become increasingly necessary as automobiles become more complex each year. Upon completion, students receive an associate degree and become certified technicians for Chrysler vehicles.

A new Chrysler program will be starting on August 18 and is still accepting applications. For more information on the Chrysler CAP program, call (562) 860-2451 ext. 3084.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages more than 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

###