On Monday, May 17, balloting opens for the SEMA Select Committee elections. The elections represent your opportunity to guide the direction of your SEMA councils and committees. Each SEMA council member company will receive one e-mail with instructions and links for completing an electronic Select Committee ballot. Only one ballot per company is e-mailed, and only one ballot per company will be recorded.
The e-mail ballot will be addressed to the person listed as your company’s primary council contact in the SEMA membership database. Balloting will remain open through Friday, May 28. If you think that you are the primary council contact and do not receive an e-mail on Monday, May 17, contact your SEMA Staff Liaison immediately
ARMO Select Committee Nominees & Bios:
Matt Agosta – Steele Rubber Products
If elected, it will be a privilege to serve you as a member of the ARMO Select Committee. I believe that I am in a unique position to benefit the Council with my 35-plus years of experience as a manufacturer in the automotive restoration and street rod Industries and my involvement with the association at many levels. I have been honored to serve as a SEMA Board of Director for three consecutive terms (2002–2008) and currently serve as a member of the SEMA Board Governance Committee. I am a past chair of the ARMO Council (2000–2002), ARMO Person of the Year in 1999 and past chair of the SEMA National Educational Conference task force. I have served on many SEMA and ARMO committees and task forces, and my company, Steele Rubber Products, was ARMO Manufacturer of the Year in 2002. As your representative to the ARMO Select Committee, I will strive to protect and promote our industry. I would greatly appreciate your trust, support and vote to continue to work on important issues facing our Industry on your behalf.
Todd Bidwell – Parts Unlimited Inc.
I have been professionally involved in the automotive restoration marketplace for 26 years. I previously served three consecutive terms on the ARMO select committee from 2003–2009. During that time, I chaired the Take a Kid to a Carshow subcommittee and helped develop the ARMO coloring book to create youth awareness for the automotive aftermarket. I attended 100% of the face-to-face Select Committee meetings as well as all of the conference calls. I look forward to working with the current ARMO members to help create a brighter future for the council and restoration market. Thank you for your consideration.
Mark Cotter – Soffseal
I am a first-time applicant for this nomination. I wish to learn more about ARMO and its dealings in the industry through observation and participation on the Select Committee. I have been in the industry for 17 years. I am currently employed by Soffseal in Harrison, Ohio, as national sales manager. Prior to Soffseal, I was with Clark Industries Inc. in Glenwood, Arizona, for 16 years. I held various positions at Clark, including General Manager.
Ken DeVries – Auto Trader Classics Publishing, INCUMBENT
It’s been a pleasure to serve on this prestigious panel, and I respectfully request your vote to re-elect me in the upcoming election. I am currently chairperson of the Take A Kid To A Car Show subcommittee. I have been with Auto Trader Classics for more than 20 years and currently hold the position of Key account sales manager responsible for managing advertising campaigns for a diverse group of automotive industry clients. Throughout my career with AutoTrader Classics, I have been the recipient of numerous recognition awards for achievement. My passion for collector vehicles began in childhood and, though I’ve been involved in this industry for more than 20 years, that passion continues to grow. If elected, I will participate in scheduled meetings and strive to forward the agenda of ARMO. You will have my full dedication and focus to preserve and promote the health and future of the restoration/specialty/collector car markets. Thank you for your consideration, and please take time to vote.
Camee Edelbrock – Schiefer Media Inc.
Promoting the industry by communicating the positive assets of the hobby—to both enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts—has been a passion of mine for the majority of my adult life. I am excited about the opportunity to pursue this passion using the tools that ARMO and SEMA have provided to ensure that the love of the automobile is passed on to all future generations. As vice president of advertising at the Edelbrock Corp., I was instrumental in building the company’s in-house agency into a full-service, integral division that designed and produced all marketing materials for the company. In 1993, I was honored to receive the SEMA “Young Executive of the Year” award, and the following year, I was designated “Performance Pro” by Argus Publishing. During my 27 years at Edelbrock, I managed public relations, media buying, advertising concept and design, copywriting and the in-house print department. Since May of 2008, I’ve managed public relations for Schiefer Media—media buying, marketing and advertising company specializing in the automotive aftermarket.
Marshall Giorgi – Rare Parts
I’ve had the great privilege of working for a small family owned business for the past 15 years, and I believe I clearly understand many of the challenges that we all face. One of my biggest concerns today is the poor quality parts that are finding their way into our marketplace. These parts not only tarnish our automotive aftermarket image, but they can also create a major safety issue. I believe together we can create and maintain an online referral list that would include businesses that offer good service, quality parts and trustworthy customer support. I served on the ARMO Select Committee in 2006, and I would enjoy the opportunity to serve again.
Scott Helliesen – POR-15
Scott has been an automotive restoration enthusiast for more than 35 years and personally involved in the restoration of many cars. As marketing and advertising manager for an ARMO-member company for more than eight years, he is very familiar with the issues facing the restoration industry. He is intelligent, enthusiastic, well known as a hard worker and very passionate about the restoration industry and hobby. I believe Scott will prove to be a valuable member of the ARMO Select Committee.
Tammy Holland – Comp Cams
I have more than 12 years of industry experience. My SEMA experience includes serving on the YEN Select Committee, being named the YEN Person of the Year 2004 and serving as the lead in developing the YEN Vanguard Award criteria. I have been a member of the SBN since 2006, and I am the current Chairperson of SBN. If elected to the ARMO select committee, I would help expand ARMO’s programs to other committees and councils, participate in programs designed to increase ARMO’s membership and actively network to get more ARMO members involved with the Select Committee and various subcommittees. I would also push for a strategic plan to define ARMO’s future and as a guide to accomplish its goals.
Sal Perez – American Muscle Cars, INCUMBENT
My motivation to serve another term on the ARMO select committee is to continue to bring a shop owner’s point of view to the committee. During my first term, I worked on trying to change unfair laws within California’s Bureau of Automotive Repairs that required restoration/custom shops to be treated as auto repair facilities. I continue to work with and encourage manufacturers to utilize AAA rated shops for the test fitting of parts before they go to market. I also spend time recruiting ARMO members with diverse backgrounds, particularly shop owners. It is my vision to see more shops get involved with ARMO to keep manufacturers at the top of their game; after all, we install and police the parts they make and manufacture. Starting a business from ground zero and experiencing the ups and downs of such an endeavor has definitely prepared me for a position on the ARMO Select Committee. I have experienced the frustration of unnecessary bureaucracy and other deficiencies that plague our industry. I bring my humble beginnings and the experience of my 15 years as I look to serve on this committee for a second term. If elected, I pledge to make myself available to anyone with ideas, concerns or questions that can continue to enhance and improve our unique industry. I ask for your vote and appreciate your consideration in this election. Please remember that this decision should not be made without thorough research and an undying passion for our industry. Thank you.
Sheila Perkins – Bradley David Productions, INCUMBENT
The television show, My Classic Car, has brought the car hobby to mainstream television, and as national sales director for the show, my job brings me in contact with all facets of the automotive aftermarket and with consumers themselves. I believe that television is an important and influential promotional tool for the hobby—particularly with young people—which, in turn will fuel the growth of our industry. I have served two terms as an ARMO Select Committee member (2006–Present), Chairperson of the ARMO Communication/Education Subcommittee, two terms on the Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee (2004–07) and as Chairperson of the YEN Networking Subcommittee (2005–2006). I believe I bring a unique perspective and expertise to the ARMO Select Committee. I am now in my second term on the ARMO Select Committee and respectfully ask for your vote for a third term.
Matt Powelson – LaRiviere, Grubman & Payne LLP
I am interested in leadership with ARMO for personal and professional reasons. I have always had at least one classic or historical car since I began driving, which has led me to many friendships with fellow owners. I am an attorney, and I represent many SEMA members, including Monster Cable (car audio manufacturer), Magellan Navigation (GPS and auto navigation manufacturer), Pilot Automotive (car and truck accessory distributor), One Pass Waterblade (car care product manufacturer) and PNI (radar detector and sensor manufacturer). I serve in leadership with other organizations, and I am looking forward to contributing my business experience, legal skills and passion for our restoration industry to ARMO and its membership. Thank you for your consideration of my nomination for appointment to the ARMO Select Committee. If you have any questions, I would enjoy taking a call or e-mail from you.
Lenny Schaeffer – Chop Shop Customs
Lenny Schaeffer, owner of Chop-Shop Customs in Woburn, Massachusetts, since 2004, is seeking candidacy on the ARMO Select Committee. Schaeffer has been an active SEMA member participating in seminars and a volunteer for many SEMA and SEMA SAN projects. Lenny has also been an active member of ARMO since 2008 and brings his 25 years of experience in the industry as a business owner, fabricator and hobbyist to the organization. His incredibly detailed work is recognized in the craftsmanship of the Snap-On 1957 “GloMad” vehicle and the 2006 Right Coast Association Give-away 1949 Chevy truck. Lenny resides outside of Boston with his wife and 12-year-old son.