Christopher J. Kersting, CAE, President and CEO

 

Christopher J. Kersting became president of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, in July 2002. He served as the association’s executive vice president for the two years preceding his presidency.

Kersting began working with SEMA in 1989, serving as general counsel and government affairs representative. Kersting also handled legal matters for numerous SEMA-member companies and served as general counsel for such industry institutions as the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) and the Auto International Association (AIA). In 1996, Kersting joined SEMA’s Washington, D.C. staff full-time as Vice President of Legislative and Technical Affairs.

Kersting’s goals for the Association include 1) supporting member success by raising SEMA’s member benefits to best-in-class levels, 2) building the value and excellence of the SEMA Show and other SEMA events, and, 3) leading the industry to new business opportunities in domestic and international commerce.

Kersting received his credential as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in July of 2002. His professional credentials include a law degree from Washington College of Law, American University (Washington, DC) in 1989.  He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985.

Kersting has been recognized for his efforts within the automotive industry by several industry groups, including AIA which chose him as the AIA Person of the Year in 1995.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry. It produces the premier annual automotive specialty trade show, the SEMA Show, provides government affairs advocacy at the federal and state level, and is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.