Doggett Automotive Group hosts a signing day Monday honoring its first three student apprentices now working full time at Beaumont dealerships.
BEAUMONT, Texas — Doggett Automotive Group will host a signing day ceremony Monday honoring the first three hires from its Doggett Drive Student Apprentice Program, a workforce development initiative connecting Southeast Texas students with paid training and long-term careers in automotive technology.
The event is set for 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at Doggett Toyota of Beaumont, 1515 I-10 S. It is free and open to the public.
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Three apprentices will be recognized. Evan Freeman joined Doggett Drive on May 10, 2025, completed a full year in the program and graduated from Nederland High School. He now works as a full-time apprentice technician at Doggett Ford of Beaumont.
Jahn Southerland toured Doggett dealerships with his Lamar Institute of Technology automotive technology class in May 2026 and was hired shortly afterward. He works full time as an apprentice technician at Doggett Ford of Beaumont while pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology at LIT.
Carson Chesser joined Doggett Drive on Dec. 15, 2025, completed six months in the program and graduated from K12. He now works full time as an apprentice technician at BMW of Beaumont, plans to begin studying automotive technology at LIT this fall and is working toward becoming a BMW certified maintenance technician.
The program connects high school automotive students with career opportunities through partnerships with local Career and Technical Education programs. Students receive classroom instruction, dealership experience, paid apprenticeships and professional mentorship while preparing for full-time employment after graduation.
Company leaders say the program gives local students a direct route from classroom instruction to paid, hands-on experience and full-time employment, with exposure to dealership work, one-on-one mentorship and preparation for manufacturer certifications and career advancement.
Leslie Doggett, chairman of Doggett Industries, and Jason Mosley, senior executive vice president of Doggett Automotive Group, are expected to attend, along with the apprentices’ families and educators. Emilie Nordquist, a Doggett Automotive Group Beaumont marketing communications specialist, will be available for interviews in English and Spanish.
More information on the program is available at doggettautogroup.com and Doggett.com.