Auto Body Collision Technology instructor recognized for lifetime contributions to transportation education in Minnesota
The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence (TCOE) has recognized Gerry Rainford, Auto Body Collision Technology (ABCT) faculty at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), with the 2024 Hall of Fame Award. This honor commemorates lifetime contributions to transportation education in Minnesota.
Each year, the TCOE proudly sponsors awards recognizing the remarkable contributions of educators, advocates, supporters, and industry partners in the field of transportation-related education. Nominated by their peers and selected by an executive board committee, the award recipients have demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact in their roles.
“What’s really important is the teamwork we have enjoyed in our Auto Body Collision Technology program at Dakota County Technical College,” Gerry said. “I wish to thank Scott Logan and other former instructors along with Jessica Weaver, a current instructor in the program. We would like to carry on the long tradition of technology-minded instructors here at the school.”
Gerry with ABCT Instructor Jessica Weaver
Gerry is grateful for the support of industry partners who have significantly contributed to the program’s success with their time and financial support. He is also appreciates having Jessica Weaver on board as an ABCT instructor. Jessica’s presence has been pivotal in attracting more female students to the program. One third of the 24 students enrolled for fall semester 2024 are women.
Gerry believes having Jessica as a role model has made a substantial impact, reflecting the growing success women are experiencing in the industry—a development that is long overdue.
Michael Berndt, president of DCTC and Inver Hills Community College, appreciates the ingenuity and hard work Gerry has put into the ABCT program over the years.
“Gerry is a terrific instructor and colleague,” President Berndt said. “I read his TCOE biography for the award and was not surprised to learn most of it was dedicated to praising his fellow instructor. That is the kind of person Gerry is. This was an award well deserved.”
More about Gerry…
Gerry Rainford, 2010
Gerry Rainford firmly believes that teamwork is the cornerstone of the college’s ABCT program’s longstanding success. Gerry takes immense pride in having his program’s curriculum set the benchmark for including the auto body industry’s latest technologies.
In 1985, Gerry graduated from DCTC with a diploma from the ABCT program, his training completed under the mentorship of his instructor, Ray Sweden. He went on to enjoy a 27-year career as a body man, frame technician, and estimator at top-quality shops in the Twin Cities South Metro area.
Gerry returned to DCTC in 2008 after accepting an invitation to become a college instructor from Larry Boser, ABCT faculty at the time. Larry had been impressed by the DCTC graduate’s work ethic and expertise. Since then, Gerry has shared his extensive knowledge and real-world experience with his students, striving to create a practical, professional body shop experience that prepares them for industry careers.
Gerry with former ABCT Instructor Scott Logan
Certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence in all eight automotive testing areas, Gerry is an ASE Master Technician—an exceedingly difficult accomplishment. As the highest paid experts in the auto body industry, ASE Master Technicians are called on to handle the most sophisticated and complicated repairs.
Gerry has also earned I-CAR certification. An international nonprofit organization, I-CAR is recognized as a world leader in technical training for the collision industry.
During his career, Gerry has gained comprehensive knowledge regarding the use of the most modern technology and equipment to make an auto body repairs. He brings that know-how to his role as the ABCT program’s second-year class instructor.
Gerry reported that his teaching philosophy is centered on giving hands-on demonstrations of assigned tasks. He follows through by making sure his students are working with the latest tools and technology. He closely supervises his students while they are completing their assignments.
“Seeing a student figure it out for the first time is the best part of my job as a DCTC instructor,” Gerry said. “I look forward to seeing my students gain confidence in their own abilities.”
In his free time, Gerry enjoys four-wheeling and motorcycling. Most of all, he likes spending time with his family.
Gerry Rainford DCTC gallery
TCOE and DCTC perspectives
“We are immensely proud of Gerry Rainford for receiving the 2024 Hall of Fame Award from the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence. His classroom reflects his dedication to auto body education and a commitment to fostering real-world skills in our students. This award highlights Gerry’s outstanding contributions and the lasting impact he has made on both his students and the transportation industry.”
Courtney Kuntz
Dean of Transportation, Construction, and Manufacturing
Dakota County Technical College
“Gerry’s many years in industry and education, his passion for and dedication to his craft, and his ongoing desire to not just teach, but to educate students into a profession makes him an ideal candidate and well deserved recipient of the TCOE 2024 Hall of Fame Award.”
Carl Borleis
Director of Program Excellence
Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence
“What makes Gerry a great instructor is that he is a great person. He uses humor and fun to reach the minds of his students to create those ‘ah-ha’ moments and give them the passion for the industry he also has. You can tell he has always loved ‘playing cars.’
“Gerry cares about our program and has said, ‘I want to leave this program better and stronger than when I first started.’ He has done that exceedingly.
“Gerry, I am so blessed to work and learn from one of the best every day. Thank you for all the advice and great experiences in the start to my journey as an instructor.”
Jessica Weaver
Auto Body Collision Technology Faculty
Dakota County Technical College
“These awards are special, they were created to provide recognition to our educators across the state of Minnesota who teach in the transportation career pathway. Gerry is well deserving of this award, and we’re honored to have him as our 2024 Hall of Fame recipient!”
Cassidy Yates
Project Coordinator
Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence
About Minnesota State TCOE…
Founded in 2013, the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence (TCOE) is focused on developing a highly skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs for high-demand, high-paying, high-growth, high-tech careers in Minnesota’s transportation industries.
To meet the state’s current and future workforce needs, the Minnesota State TCOE promotes and aligns transportation industry career and employment opportunities in several ways, including:
- Promoting collaborative communication
- Helping build high-quality training programs
- Sharing and promoting best practices
- Collecting, centralizing, and sharing data
- Sparking new endeavors and innovative approaches
- Providing professional development opportunities
- Connecting employers, educators, and the future workplace
LEARN MORE…
About the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence…
Minnesota State hosts eight Centers of Excellence with each serving a major industry that faces serious workforce challenges. The centers collaborate with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for success in high-demand careers.
Strategically located throughout the state, the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence drive workforce innovation through education and industry collaboration while providing thought leadership on workforce development in their respective industries.
LEARN MORE…
Learn more about the Auto Body Collision Technology program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about Auto Body Collision Technology at DCTC…
Auto body collision technicians are the skilled professionals who accurately diagnose and repair collision-damaged vehicles. Repairing today’s advanced passenger vehicles requires knowledge and training in metals, plastics, structural repairs, and refinishing. Instruction involves classroom theory, demonstrations, and hands-on repair of customer vehicles.
Skilled graduates find rewarding careers as body, frame or paint technicians, adjusters, appraisers, and managers in franchise or independent body shops, dealerships, specialty shops, and insurance companies.
Accreditation
The Auto Body Collision Technology program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation and utilizes curriculum from I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair).
Awards
Auto Body Collision Technology A.A.S. degree: 72 credits
Auto Body Collision Technology diploma: 64 credits
Body Technician certificate: 28 credits
Paint Preparation certificate: 21 credits
Estimator certificate: 14 credits
Delivery on campus; daytime classes
Start: Fall semester, full-time
Program Datasheet
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
O*NET OnLine
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data
ABCT gallery
