OUR STORY
Meet Bob & Helen Jones
Founders and owners, Bob and Helen Jones, developed our driving education school to give students of all ages the skills they need to stay accident-free. We operate under our founders’ philosophy, which holds that we have priorities to God, our families, our country, and our careers as educators. We believe true happiness is found only in what we do for others, which is why we exhibit an unwavering commitment to teaching drivers everything they need to know to drive confidently and safely.
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Our Oregon driver education school has been a locally trusted source for the betterment of amateur and veteran drivers alike for nearly 30 years. Our driver education program is approved by the state’s Department of Transportation (ODOT) and certified by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Fully licensed and sure to meet all insurance requirements, we stand by the quality of our programs and our integrity.
OUR STAFF
Bob Jones | Owner, Senior Training Instructor & Third Party DMV Examiner
Bob is the founder of S.O.D.E. and has been an educator of driving instruction for nearly 30 years. He was a certified public school teacher, most recently at McLoughlin Middle School, with twenty years of special education experience and recently retired in order to place all of his focus on Southern Oregon Driver Education, Inc. Bob is committed to the instruction of youth and adults to ensure our roads are safe and drivers have a lifetime of crash-free driving. He enjoys working with the community and thrives on their success. When not working, Bob enjoys spending time with his family.
Helen Jones | Owner, Administrator & Classroom Instructor
Helen has been a driver education instructor for 10 years and is currently serving as Chair of the Driver Education Advisory Committee for ODOT - Traffic Safety Division. Prior to teaching driver education, she was a middle school teacher and swim instructor for 30+ years. She enjoys volunteering at her church while facilitating small groups of teens. When not teaching she enjoys spending time with Bob, their 8 daughters and families.
Doug Reed | DE Instructor, Lead DT Examiner & Trainer of Trainers
Doug is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience teaching STEM in public high schools and a deep passion for teen learning. He began teaching novice drivers with Southern Oregon Driver Education, Inc. in the fall of 2014 and quickly recognized the value and impact of the work. He immediately knew that he wanted others to experience this demanding but rewarding career, so in 2016 he joined the WOU Trainer of Trainers team. He lives in the Rogue Valley with his wife and four children, where he actively lives out his values of faith, family, and a passion for education.
Tim Rupp | DE Supervisor, DE Instructor & DT Examiner
Tim grew up in the Rogue Valley and is a retired educator of 31 years. He got his first taste of driver education working in Roseburg in the 1990's. He has been teaching driver education for Southern Oregon Driver Ed for nearly 10 years. Tim enjoys sharing his passion for safe driving with our students.
Lorenzo Ridley | DE Instructor & PL Instructor
Lorenzo is a unique and passionate young man with a go-getter spirit to match. He has one year of Logistics Education at the University of Anchorage, Alaska and has started his own part-time delivery business in Medford, OR. He has a natural gift for teaching and enjoys helping others. Teaching for S.O.D.E., Inc. is his first teaching experience in a professional teaching setting, and with his amount of confidence he knows he will prove his self-worth and make S.O.D.E., Inc. proud.
Michael Gomez | PL Instructor & DT Examiner
Michael has been a driving instructor for nearly 10 years, including time spent teaching in Southern California, where he was born and raised. He joined S.O.D.E., Inc. in the summer of 2020 and is passionate about helping students become considerate, responsible, and capable drivers. Michael teaches safe driving techniques both in the classroom and behind the wheel. His cheerful personality puts students at ease, whether he's working as a Third Party DMV Examiner or as a Driver Ed Instructor.
Kerry Bunnard | DT Examiner
Kerry brings over 35 years of management and award-winning sales experience in the transportation industry, including time with Consolidated Freightways and YRC, as well as running his own logistics company. After retiring, he realized he missed the connection and purpose that came from working with others.
He chose to re-enter the workforce with a focus on giving back, spending two years with The Arc helping place developmentally disabled adults in jobs that fostered independence and improved self-esteem. Kerry wanted to return to his transportation roots with a more hands on role and found driver education to be the perfect fit. Combining his industry expertise with a passion for making the roads safer.
Kerry joined S.O.D.E. in March 2025, providing private driving lessons and 3rd-party DMV tests. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his grandkids.
Jonathan Walker | DT Examiner
Jonathan is a proud dad of three living in Springfield, originally from Southern California. A military veteran with 10 years of service in the armed forces, he brings dedication and discipline to every role he takes on. Growing up near the ocean fostered his love for swimming, and his passion for helping others extends to his work as a Third Party Examiner. With several years of experience in the field, he enjoys supporting drivers in becoming safe, confident, and effective on the road.
Travis Atterberry | DT Examiner
Bio coming soon...
Lindsey Blesse | DE Instructor
Bio coming soon...
Teresa Hazen | DT Examiner
Bio coming soon...
Alicia Carte | DT Examiner
Alicia has been a certified Third-Party Examiner since 2022. She enjoys helping drivers feel confident and prepared as they begin their driving journey. Outside of work, she values quality time with her daughter and family.
Brandy Paris | DE Instructor
Bio coming soon...
Liz Harris | DT Examiner
Bio coming soon...
Scott Robertson | DE Examiner
Bio coming soon...