Ronald Garvin, Jr.

There’s more to life than playing football. Just ask Ronald Garvin, Jr.

Garvin, who is originally from Florida but grew up in Mississippi, played sports in high school and attended Belhaven University, where he was a member of the Blazers’ football team. After one semester, he transferred to Alcorn State University and decided not to pursue playing sports.

“I lost my love for playing football,” Garvin said. “I had to find myself and get on the right track in life.”

Garvin attended Alcorn for a year and a half. When he left, he was uncertain what he wanted to do as a career and concerned about the impact attending school was having on his finances.

“I didn’t want to be in school for so long that I ended up in debt,” Garvin said. He found work but the jobs didn’t provide him with much satisfaction.

In 2021, Garvin returned to Northeast Florida and discovered productivity and purpose after enrolling in the Diesel Systems Technician program at First Coast Technical College along with his father, Ronald Garvin, Sr.

Ronald’s father had purchased a semi-truck with an engine that needed to be overhauled. When a shop wanted to charge $13,000 for the repairs, they decided they would rather do the work themselves. A former student had told them about FCTC’s Diesel program. Garvin’s father encouraged his son to sign up for the program and they enrolled together.

“Everyone in Northeast Florida drives trucks, but no one knows how to fix them,” Garvin said.

In the Diesel Systems Technician program, the Garvins learned how to diagnose, repair, overhaul, and assemble diesel trucks and machinery. They also learned how to maintain heavy equipment in a rapidly changing industry using a full systems approach. Not only did they learn how to repair their truck, their father/son relationship became closer from the experience.

They completed the program in 2023, preparing Garvin Jr. for employment with Ring Power as a Shop Technician III on Ring Power’s Utility Production team. Headquartered in St. Augustine, Ring Power Corporation is North and Central Florida’s Cat^® dealer. The company is comprised of eight divisions and has 60 years of experience servicing and supporting Cat^® products and allied equipment. Ring Power employs teams of skilled technicians who work on everything from equipment that builds roads and communities to engines that power marine vessels to generators big enough to power a hospital.

While FCTC prepared him for employment, Garvin’s understanding of electrical systems has grown with on the job training and support from his mentors at Ring Power. Garvin performs maintenance and repairs on equipment. He enjoys problem solving and is not afraid of challenges. He says patience, persistence and precision has been the key to his success.

“It’s been very rewarding,” said Garvin. “I can say I’m a diesel mechanic with pride.”

Garvin is enthusiastic about the trades, which offer well-paying and secure career opportunities. He also is passionate about sharing his love of the trades with others.

“This experience has been life-changing for me,” Garvin said.