A Brief Biography of David Lemmer
David John Lemmer was born the summer of 1959 in Inglewood, CA. A stoneʼs throw
from the Los Angeles International Airport. After moving around to several southern
California communities, the Lemmerʼs settled in south Orange County where David
graduated from Mission Viejo High School on the deanʼs list. Graduating with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in speech
communication from Humboldt State University, Lemmer now calls himself a political
refugee permanently resettled in the north.
Currently, David and his wife, Amy, live in a 100 year old cabin in the redwood rainforest
community of Camp Meeker, a short drive west of Santa Rosa Junior College.
Married in 1984 they have two children, Tyler also born in ʼ84, and Merisha born in ʼ87.
Amy and Tyler are both graduates of SRJC. The family has been in Sonoma County
since early 1986 (remember the flood?). Lemmer has more than 40 nieces and
nephews and is often just called uncle Dave.
Lemmerʼs career maintaining and repairing automobiles, light trucks, and motorhomes
spans more than 40 years. Beginning with part time work managing a tune-up shop in
the ʻ70s while still in school, Lemmer began to realize the importance of honoring oneʼs
word and of pursuing excellence. Specializing in driveability and engine performance
led to several years at a prominent independent garage in Visalia, CA. Lemmer
developed a reputation as a carburetor and diesel injection expert that drew attention
from miles around. Moving to Sonoma county in 1986 Lemmer worked for an
Oldsmobile and GMC truck dealership for 10 years. Soon after starting there he earned
the coveted status of “Master Technician” from the National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence (ASE). This led to Oldsmobile Master Technician, GMC Master
Technician, and General Motors Master Technician honors as well. Lemmer was once
recognized in the top 200 nationally as an Oldsmobile Master Tech with 2 consecutive
years of perfect scores on guild exams.
Moving into management in 1996, Lemmer spent several years as an Assistant Service
Manager for a local Nissan dealership before being wooed back into the service bay.
His friend and mentor, William Trbovich, had finally gotten Dave back to the wrenches.
15 years as Shop Foreman for ACUR-it Auto Repair has resulted in many industry and
business awards. The shop has been Diamond Certified every year since 2003. It has
also been chosen as the Best in Rohnert Park Auto Repair every year since 2007 by the
U.S. Local Business Associates. In 2008 the Automotive Service Council of California
chose David Lemmer as their ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year.
That is the same year David Lemmer began as a member of the adjunct faculty at
Santa Rosa Junior College. After nine years as an adjunct, Lemmer is ready to trade
his wrenches for a laser pointer and begin teaching full time. Over the years, Lemmer
has also logged thousands and thousands of hours volunteering for organizations such
as Landmark Worldwide, California State Parks, and Habitat for Humanity. He was also
a founding charter member of Moon Brothers Racing, a motorcycle road racing team.
Lemmer promises to bring his love of learning and commitment to excellence to every
aspect of his experience at SRJC.
Educator Member