The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) recognizes individuals and companies whose leadership, innovation, and dedication elevate the entire aftermarket community. At the 2025 SEMA Show, the council proudly presented its Person of the Year Award and Business of the Year Award to recipients whose contributions have strengthened both the industry and the WTSBC community.
2025 WTSBC Person of the Year: Jesse Ramirez
WTSBC’s Person of the Year Award celebrates an individual who has demonstrated exceptional engagement, advocacy, and impact over the past year. This year’s honoree, Jesse Ramirez, exemplifies what it means to lead with passion, authenticity, and community focus.
For Ramirez, receiving this award carries deep meaning. His journey reflects perseverance fueled by his dedication to the aftermarket and his commitment to elevating small businesses like his own.
“I was feeling defeated late last year and ready to fold. Receiving this award helped me grow personally and professionally,” he said.
Looking back, Ramirez credits his involvement with WTSBC for shaping his growth. Learning how the council builds teamwork and drives innovation gave him a new understanding of the industry's broader needs. Through participating in article submissions and supporting fellow small businesses, Ramirez found renewed purpose.
“It has shaped how I conduct business operations and professional growth,” he said. “Every project is an opportunity to help the client reach their goals.”
One standout moment this year came when a local Ford dealership entrusted him with mounting Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires on carbon fiber Shelby wheels—after another shop damaged a $7,000 wheel. The dealership had followed Ramirez’s work online and recognized his expertise. That project led to Ramirez becoming a specialty subcontractor for local dealerships, a milestone he deeply values.
Today, Ramirez hopes his involvement inspires other independent shops to join the council, grow their businesses, and expand their networks. His message: participation matters, and WTSBC is a place where small businesses can thrive.
2025 WTSBC Business of the Year: OE Wheels
The inaugural WTSBC Business of the Year Award honors a company demonstrating exceptional ethics, industry leadership, and service to the aftermarket. This year’s recipient, OE Wheels, embodies these values through its culture of innovation, professionalism, and customer first commitment.
The award is especially meaningful to the OE Wheels team.
“It validates our mission of providing exceptional customer experiences and fostering a supportive culture. How we do business matters just as much as what we do,” the company shared.
OE Wheels’ journey began in the early days of e-commerce before online retail was standard practice. During that pivotal era, the company pioneered aftermarket solutions rooted in OEM level standards, laying the groundwork for what would become decades of industry leadership. Their philosophy has always been simple and unwavering: support the customer, keep your commitments, and treat people the way you want to be treated.
Their history of innovation has reshaped consumer expectations. OE Wheels led the movement toward deep concave wheel profiles, influencing design trends across the aftermarket, and inspiring widespread industry adoption. Today, they continue to protect and build upon that legacy through intellectual property ownership and a responsible, forward thinking approach to design.
Throughout ongoing economic and regulatory challenges, OE Wheels credits its team’s resilience and unity for keeping the company strong. Whether adapting to shifting global policies or supporting one another through market uncertainty, their employees consistently rise to meet the moment.
“We build our reputation one interaction at a time and integrity motivates us every day,” the company shared.
OE Wheels’ involvement in WTSBC also plays an important role in the company’s culture. The relationships, mentorship, and collaboration they’ve experienced through the council have strengthened not only their leadership team but also the next generation of OE Wheels professionals entering the industry.
Elevating the Industry
Together, Ramirez and OE Wheels represent the spirit of WTSBC: passion, innovation, integrity, and community. Their accomplishments remind us that the aftermarket thrives when individuals and companies commit not only to excellence, but also to each other.