Executive Staff

Mike Spagnola is vice president of OEM & Product Development Programs and oversees the SEMA Product Development Center. In this role, he collaborates with the SEMA OEM and Vehicle Technology departments, and serves as a resource and liaison for members and automakers. His focus is on SEMA services that help members develop products quickly and efficiently.

Spagnola’s experience includes leadership positions in retail, distribution and manufacturing. Prior to joining SEMA he logged over 40 years in the specialty auto parts arena, including more than 20 years of product development and project vehicle work.

Most recently, he served as President for Street Scene Equipment, where he managed the company’s day-to-day business for 16 years. His experience working with OEMs building concept and project vehicles has lead to more than a dozen design awards from OEMs and extensive media recognition. Spagnola has also completed six years of service on the SEMA Board of Directors.

 

John Kilroy became Vice President/General Manager of Performance Racing Industry (PRI) when the racing business magazine and trade show company was purchased by SEMA in 2012. He works from the company’s Laguna Beach, California, offices, where he oversees a staff of professionals who produce PRI Magazine and annual PRI Trade Show.

Prior to the acquisition by SEMA, Kilroy logged over 20 years experience in management at PRI. During that time, he worked closely with founder Steve Lewis to grow the company from a bi-monthly publication and a 600-booth trade show in 1990 to the hub of the racing marketplace that PRI is today. During that time, Kilroy participated in setting up signature show features and exhibits that were responsible for bringing top-tier racing figures to the PRI Show, among other things.

PRI magazine is the only business-to-business magazine in racing and is closely read by over 25,000 motorsports entrepreneurs each month.

The annual PRI Trade Show in Orlando features exhibits of hardcore racing components and precision machining equipment from over 1,000 racing companies, and is attended by 38,000 buyers from across the US, and 72 countries. Attending buyers represent racing retail stores, race engine builders, motorsports WDs, motorsports engineers, professional race teams, race car builders and others.

The trade show serves to provide a marketing focal point for all forms of car racing, including stock cars, drag racing, open wheel, sports cars, off-road and other racing niches.

Kilroy holds a BA in Communications from California State University at Fullerton. He began his career as a newspaper reporter for the Daily News Tribune.

 

Jon Wyly was named Chief Executive Officer of the newly-formed SEMA Data Cooperative in March of 2012. His career in the specialty parts marketplace spans 30 years and has included key roles in sales, marketing, e-commerce, business technology and data management. A lifelong automotive enthusiast, he is well known to the specialty parts industry.

His background includes 25 years at Arrow Speed Warehouse, which he joined immediately after earning a BS in Economics at Oklahoma State University in 1983. There he worked his way up through the ranks of sales, operations and marketing, ending as Executive Vice President. More recently, he served as Vice President of e-Commerce at Keystone Automotive.

Wyly’s broad experience in specialty parts and data management applications has given him exceptional insight into how sales can be driven by accurate, standardized data. Wyly co-founded the SEMA Business Technology Committee and served in numerous SEMA task forces and work groups, including 6 years on the SEMA Board of Directors. In addition, he was recognized for his contribution to the aftermarket in 2005, when he was named SEMA Person of the Year.

His long-term goals are to establish the SEMA Data Coop as the predominant central repository for clean, standardized product data for the specialty parts aftermarket, and to develop intuitive applications to disseminate and display product information to all users.

 

George Afremow assumed the position of VP/CFO at SEMA in January 2012.

George brings to SEMA a cross functional (Operational, Accounting/Finance & Technology) background to provide the experience, structure and methodology to manage complex business initiatives and support the association’s strategic business objectives. In his role as VP/CFO, Afremow is responsible for overseeing day-to-day accounting, HR and administrative activities for the association.

Prior to joining SEMA, George was the Southern California practice leader of Business Performance Improvement initiatives for Grant Thorton LLP, the 5th largest public accounting and consulting firm. George’s areas of expertise include finance function transformation, operational efficiency enhancement, streamlining and automating accounting, finance and operational processes.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Afremow held several industry leadership and consulting positions. He’s served as a part-time graduate school professor of Project Management with the University of Southern California, as a Site Leader with PerkinElmer Life Sciences, a global technology leader in the life and analytical sciences, and board member and President of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Beach Cities Chapter.

George received his BA in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of Southern California, where he graduated as a member of the international honor society Beta Gamma Sigma.

Nathan Ridnouer is a 17-year trade association professional and currently the VP of Councils and Membership. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of the organization’s volunteer groups and services to the broad membership base.

Ridnouer joined the SEMA staff in 2008 as the Senior Director of Member Services after six years with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). In that role, he was responsible for coordinating the organization’s educational priorities, including the seminar program at the annual SEMA Show, webinar schedule and programming created to help students prepare and transition into the specialty equipment market.

Over his career, Ridnouer has significant experience working with volunteers and groups to coordinate the successful completion and strategic direction of association initiatives. Ridnouer thrives in working with the volunteer leadership to help address industry challenges and member needs and recognize the importance of keeping close ties to the core membership that guides our efforts.

Ridnouer holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Thomas Myroniak is Vice President of Marketing and Member Services at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Diamond Bar, California and brings over 20 years of automotive industry experience to his role.  His ongoing responsibilities include building awareness of, and participation in the Association's member programs and services, overseeing the Association’s education initiatives (including SEI), managing market research efforts and co-directing SEMA’s Project Management Office (PMO).
 

John Waraniak leads SEMA’s advanced vehicle technology strategy, programs and initiatives. His role is to help members understand the challenges, develop solutions and capitalize on the business opportunities presented by today’s complex vehicle systems and technologies.

Alise Miner joined SEMA in 2005 as the VP of Information Technology. In that role, Miner was responsible for the association’s internal IT infrastructure and worked with outside partners and members on key Business Technology initiatives.

As Vice President of Government Affairs for SEMA, Steve McDonald is the chief association advocate on legislative and regulatory issues at state and federal levels that impact $38 billion specialty automotive industry. Over the past 10 years, he has played a primary role in promoting and expanding SEMA’s government and regulatory affairs missions. His experience in advocacy programs and the development of model policies for state and federal applications have greatly contributed to the success of SEMA’s government relations program.

Peter MacGillivray leads the communications and events departments for SEMA. This role includes oversight of the association’s publications, which includes the monthly print magazine SEMA News and a weekly electronic newsletter, SEMA eNews, plus a number of SEMA Show publications and directories. He also guides the Public Relations department for the association, which works to promote and standardize the association’s corporate communications with outside media.

MacGillivray also heads the SEMA’s show department, which organizes and produces the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas and several regional trade shows, international shows and special events throughout the year. He also supervises the International department, and is responsible for overseas business development, working to identify growth opportunities and create value for SEMA members who export products.

Prior to joining SEMA, MacGillivray served as publisher and/or editor for a variety of enthusiast publications in segments that address boating, street performance, off-road, and sport compact performance, including Super Street magazine at Emap USA. There, he was responsible for all of Super Street’s tours and consumer events.

MacGillivray has been an enthusiastic participant in off-road racing, as a member of the U.S. team in the Camel Trophy rally competitions for two years, and a participant in the Baja 1000. MacGillivray’s other passions include golf, photography and his family.

He holds a degree in Journalism from Boston University.