By SEMA Editors
 The 2013 SEMA Gen-III Innovator winner, Todd Petersen, with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) and 2012 winner Brian Reese (right). | |
SEMA created the Gen-III Innovator Award to recognize the top young individual from the specialty-equipment industry who is making breakthroughs in the areas of new products, new approaches to business or setting new trends. Two years ago, Brian Reese of COMP Performance Group was the first to receive inaugural award. Last year's award winner was Todd Petersen with MSD Performance. This year's finalists are Jared Cox with Aeromotive Inc., Blake Fuller with Braille Battery and AJ Grasso with Transamerican Wholesale.
The winner of the SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award will be announced at the 2014 SEMA Show Banquet, Thursday, November 6, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
The SEMA Gen-III Innovator Award winner is chosen based on the following criteria:
- A “Gen-III Innovator” is 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 candidate must work in the automotive aftermarket industry.
- The candidate must be less than 40 years of age as of December 31 of the current calendar year.
- An individual can win the award more than one time provided that person qualifies for a second nomination.