





Awards
History
It takes dedication, hard work and drive to build and grow an automotive specialty-equipment business. Even more so to grow an entire industry. Yet to help its members succeed and prosper, SEMA relies on individuals from every industry segment to step forward and bring their own vision and initiative. Consequently, it seems only fitting once a year to celebrate those whose contributions best embody this SEMA mission.
These awards are among the trade association’s highest honors and recognize the recipient’s outstanding contributions to the specialty equipment industry over a year-long period. For consideration, an honoree must exhibit professionalism, service, integrity, and ethics that help propel the industry forward.






Person of the Year

This award has been established to honor a person for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Person of the Year Award:
- The candidate must be from our industry and employed by a member company. SEMA staff or persons working contractually for SEMA are precluded from consideration as a Person of the Year candidate.
- The candidate should be nominated for his outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
- An individual can win the award more than one (1) time provided that person qualifies for a second nomination; however, three (3) to five (5) years should elapse before an individual is nominated for a second time.
- A person should not be nominated for previous industry contributions (Task Force are reminded that the SEMA Hall of Fame Award salutes veterans of the industry and their contributions of years past).

2019 - Dan Kahn
2018 - Melanie White
2017 - John Johnson
2016 - Tim Martin
2015 - Kathryn Reinhardt
2014 - Rich Barsamian
2013 - George Lathouris
2012 - Marla Moore
2011 - John Menzler
2010 - Mike Spagnola
2009 - Doug Evans
2008 - Patrick Judge
2007 - Wade Kawasaki
2006 - Joel Ayres
2005 - Jon Wyly
2004 - Jim Cozzie
2003 - Steve Bolio
2002 - Scooter Brothers
2001 - Mitch Williams
2000 - Douglas Mergenthaler
1998 - Nate Shelton
1997 - Ronald Coleman
1996 - Amy Faulk
1995 - Brian Appelgate
1994 - Leo Kagan
1993 - Bob Keller
1992 - Bob Vandergriff
1991 - Bob Patteri
1990 - Bob McJannett
1989 - Charlie Van Cleve
1988 - Murray Diamond
1987 - Joe Amato
1986 - Tom Cepek
1985 - Jim McFarland
1983 - Jim Davis
1982 - Dennis Holding
1981 - Nile Cornelison
1980 - John Simmons
1979 - Linda Vaughn
1978 - Donna Imrie
1977 - Dick Wells
1976 - Els Lohn
1975 - Harvey Crane
1974 - Don Smith
1973 - Wally Parks
1972 - Robert E. Petersen
1971 - Doug Toms
1970 - Keith Jackson
1969 - Charles Conrad
1968 - Bob Spar
Manufacturer of the Year

The SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award has been established to honor a manufacturing company for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Award:
- The manufacturing company must be from the automotive aftermarket industry.
- SEMA Involvement (e.g., utilizes association benefits, service of councils/networks, task forces, committees, board, etc.).
- a. Membership in SEMA b. SEMA Show exhibitor in the prior and current fiscal years c. New Products Showcase participant
- Demonstrates outstanding business practices.
- Has established innovative processes and products.
- Exhibits a high degree of corporate responsibility, by investing in and contributing to both their local community (e.g., philanthropic activities) and industry (e.g., advertising, creating awareness).
- Displays workforce excellence and invests in the well-being of their employees.
- Provides outstanding service to their customers (e.g., training and outside sales support, product delivered on time, inventory available, consistent lead times, etc.).
- Demonstrates high quality retail displays and packaging.
- Has complete and high quality product data and provides new product data sets in a timely manner.
- Does an outstanding job protecting their brand equity.
WD of the Year

The SEMA WD of the Year Award has been established to honor a Warehouse Distributor for their outstanding contribution to the industry during the past twelve (12) months corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Achievements made following or prior to this time period are not to be taken into account as part of the awards' process.
Gen-III Innovator of the Year

The SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award has been established to honor a person for his/her outstanding contribution to the industry. A "Gen-III Innovator" is defined as a young individual from the industry who is making breakthroughs in the areas of new products, new approaches to business, or setting new trends. The individual must be under 40 years of age as of December 31, 2021.
*Self-nominations are accepted.

A candidate must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year Award:
- The candidate must work in the Automotive Aftermarket industry.
- The candidate must be under 40 years of age as of December 31, 2021.
- An individual can win the award more than one (1) time provided that person qualifies for a second nomination.

2019 - Chris Candido, Turn 14 Distribution Inc.
2018 - John Pulli
2017 - Pete Gonzales, Darkside Scientific
2016 - Jonathan Mill, Keyway Innovations
2015 - Joe "Fonzie" Plesher, DipYourCar.com
2014 - Blake Fuller, Braille Battery
2013 - Todd Petersen, MSD Performance
2012 - Brian Reese, COMP Performance Group
SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet

The SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet is the annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry and is highlighted by top-flight entertainment. It also provides the backdrop for the presentation of industry awards that include the Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, WD of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year. In addition, the SEMA Hall of Fame inductees will be honored for their contributions to the industry.
Contact Information
Jamie Eriksen
(909) 978-6737
jamiee@sema.org