Tom Hecklinski, seen here with SEMA's Ellen McKoy, was instrumental in founding the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and played a key role in the council’s transition into SEMA.
Tom Hecklinski, president and founder of Razzi Ground Effects, died on Thursday, February 19, after suffering a heart attack.
Soon after founding Razzi in 1984, Hecklinski became active in SEMA and was instrumental in founding the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) as an independent association and later played a key role in PRO's transition as a SEMA council.
As a charter member of PRO, Tom served numerous terms on the council’s Select Committee and was the driving force behind the creation of the council's voluntary code of ethics for member manufacturers. In recognition of his numerous contributions to the restyling industry, Hecklinski was honored with the PRO/Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
"Tom was more than a colleague; he was a dear friend for nearly 25 years," said Ellen McKoy, SEMA senior director of dealer relations. "He was a man of integrity with an unbridled passion for the industry and his loss will be felt by many whose lives he touched."