By SEMA News Editors

Ryan Stutzman is joining SEMA as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 22. Stutzman will be based at SEMA's headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. 

Stutzman replaces current Vice President and Chief Financial Officer George Afremow, who will retire in June after 12 years with the association.

Stutzman is a strategic and results-driven executive with over a decade of experience leading financial teams and enhancing company performance in both public and private sectors. His expertise spans a wide range of financial operations, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integration, which he has managed across various industries.

"In our search for a new CFO, we sought a leader not only with robust financial acumen but one with strong integrity, who is committed to protecting and furthering the cause of the automotive aftermarket industry," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "We are delighted to have found a great fit in Ryan."

In his new role, Stutzman will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day finance, investment relations and accounting activities for the association, including PRI. Stutzman will also play a pivotal role in the selection and implementation of company-wide systems, which will enhance SEMA's business relationship with its members.

Stutzman joins SEMA from Cherokee Chemical Co., Inc., where he significantly enhanced the company's financial performance and market position. He led the successful reorganization of the finance department and managed over a dozen strategic mergers and acquisitions, driving substantial growth and profitability. His initiatives in optimizing financial frameworks contributed decisively to Cherokee's industry leadership.

"I'm excited to join the association at such an important time for the automotive aftermarket," said Stutzman. "SEMA members are on the forefront of change and driving innovation, and I'm looking forward to supporting them as we shape the future of the industry."

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Stutzman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cedarville University and an MBA from Azusa Pacific University. Outside of work, Stutzman is passionately engaged with the great outdoors, frequently found road cycling, hiking or snowboarding. A dedicated coffee connoisseur, he has spent the past decade mastering the art of roasting and blending his own coffee, a testament to his meticulous attention to detail. Stutzman and his wife, Bethany, have two children.

By SEMA News Editors

Hotel reservations are open online here for the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, with the best value rates now available through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak. Booking through the SEMA block guarantees Showgoers the lowest rates in Las Vegas during the SEMA Show. 

And, onPeak also offers reduced resort fees at more than 40 properties, detailed below. Take advantage of these rates and book your rooms today!

Registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is open online here for qualified attendees. SEMA Show management is dedicated to making the event as successful and worthwhile as possible for all, so registration fees are only $40 through Friday, June 28. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) has announced the winners of its 2024 ARMO Hot Products Showcase Best New Product Awards.  

More than 80 products from 30 ARMO member companies were displayed in the ARMO Hot Products Showcase at the Spring Carlisle Show in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in April. The showcase enabled manufacturers to highlight their best and newest innovations in a dedicated, high-traffic area of the event for free.

The following products were voted on by Carlisle attendees as best new products in their respective categories:

Categories (2): People's Choice and Engine 

Company: BluePrint Engines

Product Name: PS426CTF

Category: Interior

Company: Distinctive Industries

Product Name: Custom CTX Buddy Bench Seat Vertical Inserts with Cupholders

Category: Exterior

Company: Precision Replacement Parts

Product Name: '73-'87 (91) GM Truck Complete Vent Assembly

Category: Accessory Item

Company: Retro Manufacturing

Product Name: SUB1800

Category: Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension

Company: Flaming River Industries

Product Name: C1500 Rack Cradle Kit

"Each of these manufacturers has created a cutting-edge product that not only exemplifies innovation but excites consumers in the automotive restoration industry," said ARMO Council Director Marcy Yanus. "We're thrilled to award this year's winners for their commitment to manufacturing compelling products." 

The winners will be recognized at the 2024 SEMA Show ARMO Reception. To learn more about the ARMO Hot Products Showcase, visit sema.org/armo-hot-products-showcase. 

By SEMA News Editors

Come Showtime this year, the Las Vegas Convention Center will be filled with the latest products, innovations, technology, displays and services from specialty-equipment market brands during the SEMA Show, November 5-8, Las Vegas. Exhibitors can now maximize their impact on the Show floor by entering their products, packaging and merchandising displays into the SEMA Show New Product Showcase, the top destination for media members, buyers, decision-makers and automotive professionals to source the hottest products from the Show floor in one convenient location.

Submissions for the 2024 SEMA Show New Product Showcase are now open online at SEMAshow.com/newproducts. Show organizers recommend reading the complete rules and regulations online here.

Entering the SEMA Show New Product Showcase is a no-brainer: the first entry is always free of charge and can help build brand awareness, boost booth traffic and generate quality sales leads. And if you're looking to expand to markets beyond the United States, the SEMA Show provides a platform to launch products in 140 represented countries and territories, a reach that is amplified in the New Product Showcase.

In addition, each product entry will have a dedicated QR code to help attendees learn more details and find the exhibitors' booth number, serving as a lead generation tool for participating exhibitors. The SEMA Show team also professionally photographs every product entry and highlights it in several promotions, including SEMA News, the official SEMA Show mobile app and the New Products Showcase gallery on SEMAShow.com. The gallery is promoted throughout the year as a resource for buyers and media to find the latest innovations even after Showtime. 

All entries are considered and eligible for a New Products Showcase award, providing even more brand exposure and recognition. Enter your company's products at SEMAshow.com/newproducts today!

Exhibitors: Learn key dates and find applications and submissions, such as the SEMA Show New Product Showcase, in this year's updated Exhibitor Service Manual. The entire Exhibitor Service Manual is the official exhibitor's handbook for success, in addition to the relationships they form with their SEMA sales representative, the SEMA media team and the SEMA Show department. 

Still have questions? No problem! Contact your SEMA Show sales representative at sales@sema.org, 909-396-0289 or semashow.com/contact. Still need booth space for the 2024 SEMA Show? Get started at SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Keep an eye on SEMA News and semashow.com for the latest deadlines, updates and opportunities for the 2024 SEMA Show.

By Ashley Reyes

Integrated vehicle electronics now means all systems are sharing data across several different networks. Making changes to a vehicle (ride height, performance, braking, infotainment, etc.) could have unintended consequences if you do not know or understand the relationship between electronic control units (ECUs).

Automotive aftermarket engineers, product developers or any SEMA member who uses a scan tool for development or product validation, are invited to the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) webinar on Tuesday, June 4, at 1:00 p.m. PDT/4:00 p.m. EDT to learn about new vehicle communications standards.

Attendees will hear from Bob Augustine, Opus IVS's vice president of business development, as he presents the fundamentals of the currently used controller area network (CAN bus) and how they are being upgraded/migrated to faster standards as the need for more data computing increases.

While the currently used CAN bus communication protocols are very robust and stable, the advent of data fusion across network ECUs requires faster data transmission and lower latency. The two newer protocols, FD CAN and DoIP, are already on vehicles on the road and will require updated hardware to communicate with the laptop.

Register here for the webinar "Vehicle Communications Standards Update, presented by the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)."

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named Rebel Off Road as the council's newest member spotlight company. Get to know their story in the SEMA News interview with Bond Gilmer, Rebel Off Road's president, below. 

SEMA News: Tell us the story of Rebel Off Road. How did the company start?  

Bond Gilmer: I began Rebel Off Road in 2010 during the recession. There were many obstacles and growing pains. Being an unknown company, I had to rely on my expertise and knowledge to set Rebel Off Road apart from the other companies that were already in the industry. I did a lot of events like Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, King of the Hammers (KOH) and Jamborees, and began traveling across the country for these events, where I would let the quality of the workmanship and the components that I used for the builds speak for themselves. 

SN: Was there any kind of breakthrough moment for your company? 

BG: For Rebel Off Road, the biggest growth will come from the overland category as this is really where the whole family can get into the outdoors and outdoor travel. Having a rig that is capable of letting the entire family experience this great country's backroads and trails and lets them explore with confidence and ease will drive the company's direction. 

SN: What's going on these days? What projects are you most excited about? 

BG: We have a new partnership with Alpine USA with more details soon to be released. We're really excited about three build projects that are in the works. Briefly, we're building a stretched two-door Jeep Wrangler JL built specifically for rock crawling. We're also working on a new Jeep Gladiator build for the overland scene that will be next level with its functionality and capabilities. Lastly, a large military vehicle was built for promotion and to tow the new JL out to trails in Southern California. 

SN: What's the best piece of advice you have for professionals getting started in the aftermarket? 

BG: Focus on the customer and what they are truly seeking to build. We pride ourselves on helping our customers reach their goals right the first time.  

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA's social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors can expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence through the exclusive Products for Project-Vehicle Builders program, which is now open at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

The Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list is designed for builders looking to collaborate and seek product offers straight from confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors.

Qualified builders interested in obtaining a product should contact exhibitors directly with the provided contact information. All product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder, with each project vehicle on display at the SEMA Show required to be supported by a current 2024 SEMA Show exhibitor.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2024 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form at semashow.com/projectvehicle.

Builders are encouraged to frequently check the 2024 Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list, as it is updated when submissions come in.

Note: Submissions appear on a first-come, first-served basis. For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2024 SEMA Show. For more information, contact Laura Pitts at projectvehicles@sema.org or call 949-373-9210. 

By SEMA News Editors

Honda has opened a new research and development (R&D) facility in India to accelerate electrification in the country. 

The Bengaluru Solution R&D Center will incorporate advanced mobility technologies into electrified-vehicle development more quickly, and work on software and connected services by adopting technologies and ideas of research and development companies, according to the OEM. 

Additionally, the Solution R&D Center will partner with companies for new ideas to develop new services and businesses that go beyond the scope of existing businesses and products from a long-term perspective.

For more information, visit honda.com.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) is hosting an online General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, May 28, at 9:30 a.m. PDT/12:30 p.m. EDT.

During the meeting, the MPMC select committee and SEMA Membership Director AJ Carney will provide valuable information on exclusive perks and business-building resources available to MPMC members. Additionally, Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA's senior vice president of public and government affairs, will offer insight into supporting the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC). The event will conclude with a Q&A session, connecting event participants with the speakers.

All current and prospective MPMC members are encouraged to join the meeting, as it's a great way to get involved in the industry and learn what MPMC membership has to offer. 

Secure your spot for this informative event by registering here.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) is hosting a networking mixer at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. The event will take place on Thursday, May 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. MST in the Oasis Bar and Food Court.

FLN members are invited to attend the mixer, where they will grow their professional network and learn about career-building resources for young professionals in the automotive specialty-equipment market. Attendees will meet the FLN select committee, discover open volunteer opportunities and forge valuable relationships with peers and pros in the overlanding space. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Industry members aged 39 and under are invited to attend. It's a great way to introduce yourself and learn about FLN membership's many offerings. 

RSVP here.