Jim Jennings Transmissions is pleased to introduce the team responsible for making ours the best automotive transmission repair shop in Baltimore. Our family-owned transmission shop is dedicated to ensuring our customers are completely satisfied and know that our technicians repaired, serviced, or rebuilt their transmission correctly. Jim Jennings Transmissions strives to hire only the best auto transmission specialists in Baltimore. Our technicians and rebuilders are professionally trained, ASE Certified, and regularly attend transmission industry seminars to keep up with constantly changing automotive technologies. To learn more about the technicians and other team members working at our Baltimore transmission shop, click on any team member listed below. Please take a moment and read our customer reviews. Please feel free to request a price quote or schedule an appointment at any time using our online forms.
Gary's job is simple.....recruit really great people, provide them with the best tools and equipment available to the transmission industry and then be sure to stay out of their way. Besides working with such talented professionals in the family business for 30 years, he has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association for 22 years. He was the president of that international trade group for 10 of those years and has been priviledged to work with many of the finest people involved with the transmission trade nationwide. Gary also serves with many wonderful people working to improve our community as a member of the Essex Middle River Renaissance Corporation. Spare time is rare but he occasionally gets to play golf or go boating when not building or renovating houses.
Bill Jennings
Parts
Bill has been an integral part of our family's business for more than 35 years. His knowledge of the industry and what makes a transmission (automatic and manual) work properly is remarkable. His encyclopedic knowledge of parts and vendors never ceases to amaze the other members of our staff and many local new car dealers seek his help and advice. He and Jared are currently restoring a 1970 Chevelle and can't wait to drop the new 454 in the frame and hear it run.
John (JC) Chalk
Rebuilder
JC is "the man" when it comes to Dodge trucks. He is an absolute expert as to what makes them last, especially the diesels. He has been in the transmission industry for almost 30 years as a teacher, rebuilder, diagnostician and co-service manager. He "knows transmissions" and 4 wheel drive vehicles. JC is one of the most generous people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. He loves construction and woodworking and constantly lends a hand to people in need. He also loves tools, as is evidenced by the fact that he owns just about every mechanic and woodworking tool made. He spends his weekends building or renovating houses. Stop in and test his knowledge. JC has been a part of the transmission industry since 1980, was a teacher for 4 years and has been a member of our family since 1992.
Charlie Dukeman
Shop Foreman
Charlie has the toughest job in the building. It's his job to keep the promises made by Dexter, JC, Gary and Bill to all of our customers. It is his challenge to get all the work done in a timely manner..... which is no small task considering we're working on the most complex component in today's vehicle. Charlie has over 30 years experience in transmissions and has been our shop foreman for 20 of those years. He knows transmissions.
Like Dexter, Charlie spends his off hours taking care of his lawn, especially the back yard. It is more of a nature park than a back yard. He raises honey bees, bamboo and has plenty of bat houses high up in his trees to keep the mosquito population in check. Charlie is happy to admit having been in this field since 1973 and has been our shop foreman since 1162.
Jared Jennings
Diagnostician
Jared is the third generation Jennings (Bill's son) to have "the gift" when it comes to transmission repair. He did not land this position by birth right....he's an electrical genius. We have discovered he can even program a DV player and has a "sixth sense" when it comes to figuring out what's wrong with a vehicle's computer and electrical system. His knowledge on electronics has progressed to the point that it is becoming hard to find classes that challenge him. Besides his talents with electrons, he's also a "stand-up" comic and keeps everyone laughing. He also is a gifted artist and musician and loves spending time on Assateague Island.
Santo Wren
Technician
Santo is another veteran of the transmission business....18 years. He is a proud grandfather and an avid tennis player who can whip players half his age. Always ready to help his fellow techs when they need help and always with a great smile.
Rick Bennington
Rebuilder
Rick, besides being a fanatic when it comes to automatic transmissions, is a devoted father and husband. Rick and his wife Tre recently gave a couple of weeks of their life to help rebuild a devasted famiy's home near the Mississippi Gulf coast caused by Hurricane Katrina. They were humbled by the experience but yet feel richer for it. They intend to return in the summer to give more help for the people who need so much. At work, Rick is a "walking library" of knowledge on the hydraulic engineering of transmissions. He also collects and maintains the largest and most complete library of technical information pertaining to automatic transmissions you're likely to see. Rick, Tre and their kids are very active in their church and home school.
Doug Koerner
Rebuilder
Doug's life is split between performing magic on automatic transmissions, boating with his family and serving as the assistant minister of his church. Everyone has heard the old saying...."it's difficult to soar like an eagle when you work with turkeys". Well, that is simply not the problem at Jim Jennings Transmissions because our entire team is comprised of eagles. Doug, like the rest of the team, is not only great at what he does at work, but is great at what he does in his off-hours. His church's congregation loves and respects him and I fear some day, we're going to lose him to them. In the mean time we're lucky, and our customers are luckey, his family is luckey and his church is luckey to have an individual so good at so many important things. You won't find a better person than Doug Kroener.
Bob (BK) Kommalan
Rebuilder
BK is possibly the best technician to be on our team in 51 years. His brain seems to work differently than most other people....he simply "sees" how things go together. He probably should have been an engineer. Bob is also a proud grandfather and his number one hobby is Star Trek. He has a hugh collection of memorabilia.
Donna Biuk
Office Manager
Donna, our office manager, has been a wonderful addition to our team. She came to us with plenty of experience..... she had been managing a Schmidt's Baking Outlet for the past 10 years. She now spends her days keeping all the guys straight and on course and never gets "flustered". Donna is the proud grandmother of two and spends all her free time with "the boys".
"We want to thank you for your wonderful service. You identified immediately that the clutch was not the problem. You not only didn't charge us but you assisted with trying to locate the transmission problem. Your honesty and integrity are immeasurable and qualities of great value to customers like us. We have already and will continue to recommend your transmission repair shop to others because of your high standards. Thanks again for your most outstanding customer service."
I drove my car down to Essex from Bel Air, and he fixed my transmission problem FREE OF CHARGE! The only thing I needed was a bushing instead of the 50 dollar transmission governor the other shop wanted to install which was incorrect. Thanks again!!
"I want to thank Charlie Dukeman for all his help with my transmission problem. I had called to see if they had a part in stock which they did, but Charlie proceeded to ask what the problem was, I described the problem to him and he did a computer diagnosis of my problem which was completely different than I had originally thought. I drove my car down to Essex from Bel Air, and he fixed my transmission problem FREE OF CHARGE! The only thing I needed was a bushing instead of the 50 dollar transmission governor the other shop wanted to install which was incorrect. Thanks again!!"
I will be a moving advertisement for Jim Jennings Transmissions in Baltimore. Thank you again for your professionalism. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
"I want to thank you and Jim Jennings Transmissions for the professional way that I was treated, when you test drove my
Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 42E Transmission. I had replaced the governor pressure solenoid, the pressure transducer solenoid and the overdrive torque converter clutch solenoid. You said that it had a delay in shifting at slow speeds, but shifted good at high speeds. After your transmission technician adjusted the shift cable, it shifted perfectly at all speeds. You are hardly aware of it shifting. You were patient with me and sat in the waiting room and talked with me man to man and explained exactly how the 42E transmission operated. I have worked on my vehicles and dealt with many servicemen for over fifty years and I have never experienced such excellent expert customer service with any company! I am a Deacon and on the Board of Managers at the 7,500 member New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore. I printed your web page and posted it on our bulletin board at church and as we travel from church to church with our Bishop, I will be a moving advertisement for Jim Jennings Transmissions in Baltimore. Thank you again for your professionalism. I will keep you and your family in my prayers."
"I can not say enough good things about Jim Jennings Transmission. My car broke down in Baltimore while taking my kids back to college. It was towed to a place that could not do the work. Someone referred us to Jim Jennings. I called, from NJ, and spoke to Gary. I was very worried about trying to get things done from a different state. Gary could not have been more professional and helpful. He talked me through everything I had to do and even called me when they towed my car to him, just to let me know it arrived safely. If you, or anyone you know, needs transmission work done, this is the place to go. Professional, friendly, helpful and so honest."
I will choose them again even though I live in York PA I will drive to Baltimore just to get what I need fixed they are reliable, quick, and get straight to the job.
"I was browsing through the websites when i came across jim website so i said that is not far from where my van is so I emailed them at first to see if they could help and they did they towed my van and got it up in running in a day. I will choose them again even though I live in York PA I will drive to Baltimore just to get what I need fixed they are reliable, quick, and get straight to the job. Thanks to all the workers that I talked to I no 1 was JC and the others i really appreciated your work and kindness"
I will most certainly return to Jim Jennings Transmissions, as well as recommend them for their quality of work and compassion for their customers and their rides. Thank you all!
"I had been trying to track down and resolve a drive line vibration in my 2002 Ford F-150 for about 3 years. I've taken my truck to many repair shops, all of which half-way listened to my theory of what might be the problem, and proceeded to throw parts at it (new shocks, new tires, wheel bearings, front end suspension work, etc) or blame the vibration issue on my modified suspension (6" lift kit). I have owned this truck since it was brand new and am rather meticulous about its maintenance and care. You really would have to see the truck to understand just how meticulous (she's real clean). Just when I was about to give up hope that I could have this drive line vibration issue resolved, a family member of mine recommended I give Jim Jennings Transmissions a call. I called and spoke with J.C. and could immediately sense he was a very knowledgeable transmission technician and actually listened to my theory of what might be the issue, as well as what all previously has been done to the truck in attempt to resolve it. I dropped my truck off in early February to have it looked at and ultimately picked it back up in early March. During its one month stay, my aluminum drive shaft was removed and balanced, as well as a complete rebuild of my rear axles and differential rebuild. To most people 1 month would seem like a long time to complete the work mentioned. But what they don't realize is the amount of effort Jim Jennings Transmission put in to investigate the problem, as well as any small change to the truck would follow with a call to me to come and test drive it to see if I noticed improvement. They would also make sure I was happy with the service and if I wanted to continue investigating. Between the drive shaft and rear axle work, I am now very pleased with how my truck runs. It's been a month since I picked it up and I'm driving down the highway with a smile now that the vibration issues are finally gone. As stated earlier, I've had this truck since it was brand new. We've been together a long time. I hope to have many more years and miles with this truck and if when I need any work that would require the level of attention to detail that this truck deserves, I will most certainly return to Jim Jennings Transmissions, as well as recommend them for their quality of work and compassion for their customers and their rides. Thank you all!"
"I have had three transmissions on different vehicles done at Jim Jennings transmission and each time I have been very satisfied with the timely manner in which it is fixed and the expertise of the repair. I would recommend Jim Jennings transmissions to anyone and everyone."
Great people to do business with. Honest and fast transmission repair estimates. Reliable customer service, warranties are actually valid as stated. Very competitive prices on work. Highly recommended for your transmission needs.
"Great people to do business with. Honest and fast transmission repair estimates. Reliable customer service, warranties are actually valid as stated. Very competitive prices on work. Highly recommended for your transmission needs."
"This is the only place I will ever take my car to have work on my transmission problem. Your trained technician, John (JC) Chalk went over and above for me. He is the most HONEST, DECENT AND RESPECTFUL person I have ever dealt with. I want to thank you JC for what you did for me. I appreciate more than words could ever express!"
"This Baltimore transmission shop is AWESOME! J.C. Spent over 45 minutes test driving my vehicle, found the transmission problem caused by the use of an unqualified shop and corrected it. They cleaned the engine & undercarriage of sprayed fluids. I would recommend Jim Jennings Transmission to everyone in Baltimore"
"I want to thank Charlie Dukeman for all his help with my transmission problem. I had called to see if they had a part in stock which they did, but Charlie proceeded to ask what the problem was, I described the problem to him and he did a computer diagnosis of my problem which was completely different than I had originally thought. I drove my car down to Essex from Bel Air, and he fixed my transmission problem FREE OF CHARGE! The only thing I needed was a bushing instead of the 50 dollar transmission governor the other shop wanted to install which was incorrect. Thanks again!!"