Kell Bridges, Eric Henschel, Kevin Webb
The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) is excited to announce that Kell Bridges, Eric Henschel, and Kevin Webb have been elected into the HRIA select committee for the 2025-2027 term. Additionally, Shelby Robinson has been re-elected for another two-year term.
Read about Bridges, Henschel, and Webb below. To view the full HRIA select committee roster, including this year’s incumbents, visit sema.org/hria.
Kell Bridges
Bridges’ passion for performance and racing started early - building motorcycles in the garage with his dad and later turning wrenches at a local tire shop, where he held his first job. He began drag racing as soon as he had a driver’s license, sneaking off to weekly test-and-tune nights before his parents caught on. That early hands-on experience sparked a lifelong obsession for modifying and racing cars—an enthusiasm that continues to drive him today.
Now Director of Sales and a shareholder at BluePrint Engines, Bridges holds years of experience in the hot rod industry with a track record in management, team building, and business growth. With a unique blend of grassroots enthusiasm and strategic leadership, Bridges is passionate about supporting the next generation of builders and racers.
Eric Henschel
Henchel started 99 West Customs in 2006 after working and managing crews for large companies for 28 years. His experience includes fundraising and managing several community events, with up to 10,000 attendees per event, including car shows, festivals, concerts, and firework shows.
Henschel’s management knowledge continues to grow as he owns and operates a small business. As an HRIA select committee member, Henschel looks forward to working on the concerns and challenges that face the industry, such as employee training and retention, dealing with the high costs of supplies, insurance issues, educating customers, and finding ways to attract young, promising people to the industry.
Kevin Webb
Webb is the owner of Hot Rod & Custom Garage Inc., an automotive shop that specializes in mechanical upgrades and repairs to classic vehicles, muscle cars, and trucks. The company also provides pre-purchase inspections for potential buyers of classic vehicles and appraisals.
Webb believes that there has never been a better time to encourage people of all ages to consider joining the industry. As an HRIA select committee member, he looks forward to helping those who are new to the business succeed, fostering membership growth, and encouraging industry engagement with the younger generation.