The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:
Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
The following council members are the candidates for the ARMO Select Committee elections. There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
ARMO Select-Committee Candidates
- Melvin Benzaquen, Classic Restoration Enterprises, Inc.
- Todd Bidwell, Parts Unlimited, Inc. (Incumbent)
- Ken DeVries, Trader National Publishing
- Steven Moskowitz, Antique Automobile Club of America, Inc.
- Roger Niehaus, Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. (Incumbent)
- Sandy Patterson, Primedia (Incumbent)
- Curt Patterson, AMAA (Incumbent)
- Jim Vinarski, Carlisle Productions, Inc. (Incumbent)
- Mark Vogt, Classic Industries/OER
Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
The following council members are the candidates for the HRIA Select Committee elections.There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.
HRIA Select-Committee Candidates
- Del Austin – Street Thunder magazine (Incumbent)
- Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom (Incumbent)
- Dick Dixon – Automotive Education Alliance, Inc.
- Mike Kinney – Las Vegas Rod & Custom
- Rick Love – Vintage Air Inc. (Incumbent)
- Bob Millard – Championship Auto Shows
- Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital Inc. – (Incumbent)
- Brian Reese – Comp Performance Group
- Eric Saltrick – Steele Rubber Products
- Janeen Webb - Primedia
Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)
- The DVD: “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary.??The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Perricone at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacip@sema.org.
To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org.
Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)
MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:
- 2007 MRC Rep Conference
September 26–27, 2007
Phoenix, Arizona
Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)
To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.
Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)
- PRO members: Join your colleagues at the 15th annual PRO Project-Planning Meeting, Thursday–Friday, June 7–8, at the Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Hotel. This is your opportunity to take a stake in your council's future by taking advantage of an agenda that includes group brainstorming sessions, breakout group discussions and action planning for future council projects. The event also includes and exclusive reception at the Henry Ford Estate, complete with a private tour of the automaker's elegant mansion. To RSVP, e-mail to Summer Wright at summerw@sema.org by May 18. For hotel and airline reservations, contact Manya at Manya.P@travelstoreusa.com or 949/930-9268.
Sport Compact Council (SCC)
- You are invited to attend SEMA’s Sport Compact Council Youth Focus Panel during the NHRA Sport Compact Springnationals and D1 Grand Prix USA. The discussion will feature dozens of young consumers speaking candidly about their hobby. This is one of the best opportunities to discover what younger enthusiasts really think about and want from the automotive specialty-equipment market.
Youth Focus Panel Details
When: Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m.
Where: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 230 Pension Rd., Englishtown, NJ 07726
RSVP Required: The location of Youth Focus Panel is in a restricted area, and a special pass is needed for access.
For more information on the event or how to participate, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 112.
- Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez will start her role on July 1 when current chairman-elect, Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, takes over as SCC chairman.
To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.
Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)
- George Gillespie, Safety Compliance Engineer responsible for OVSCs tire-related standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), delivered a presentation at the 2006 SEMA Show regarding NHTSA's enforcement activity relative to tires for passenger vehicles and trucks. Gillespie provided overview and status of the agency's recent initiatives to increase tire safety, including compliance and enforcement actions for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (FMVSS No. 138) and passenger and light-truck tires (FMVSS No. 139). He also discussed the current increased enforcement to address concerns related to imported tires. SEMA members can now get a copy of Gillespie's PowerPoint presentation by contacting Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org.
To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.
SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)
- Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring program, powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.
To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.
Young Executives Network (YEN)
- Did you know that the annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the SEMA Young Executives Network, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006? If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
- Did you know that YEN has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
- Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.
- Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
- Becoming involved in SEMA at an early age will help you work your way to the top. Did you know that current SEMA Chairman of the Board, Mitch Williams, was once a member of YEN? If you are interested in becoming a YEN member, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
- Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard will assume the position when current chair-elect, Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, takes over as YEN chairman on July 1.
- Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.