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Movers & Shakers: Rev’d Media Group Hires Casey Brammer as New Publisher; Summit to Explore Automotive Restoration Curriculum in High Schools

Compiled by SEMA Editors

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Casey Brammer

Rev’d Media Group Hires Casey Brammer as New Publisher

Rev’d Media Group has hired Casey Brammer as the new publisher overseeing all titles in the Rev’d Media portfolio. Looking to add to its growing magazine lineup, Rev’d will unveil its all-new car audio and 12V title—TunedIN Magazine for Q3 2016.

DENSO Invests in Semiconductor Laser Technology Startup TriLumina

DENSO International America Inc. has invested in TriLumina Corp.—a semiconductor laser technology company that focuses on providing light sources for LiDAR and interior illumination products. DENSO is looking to speed up the adoption of LiDAR and driver-monitoring technologies in advanced driver assistance systems, which are key technologies used in autonomous vehicles. This strategic investment enables TriLumina to gain broader access to the automotive market. TriLumina has developed eye-safe semiconductor lasers, and is helping to accelerate the automotive industry’s adoption of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles by providing lasers for 100% solid-state LiDAR products and advanced driver monitoring systems (DMS). TriLumina is targeting LiDAR and DMS in the advance driver assistance system, as well as depth-sensing and gesture control for the industrial robotics, commercial and consumer electronics markets. DENSO’s Silicon Valley office actively works with startup companies, and through these types of partnerships, expects to gain access to new technologies in the areas of autonomous drive, electric vehicles, transportation, batteries and energy storage while also expanding DENSO’s overall presence and visibility within entrepreneurial networks.

Rev’n Launches in Bakersfield With Cocola Broadcasting’s KCBT

Luken Communications LLC and Rev’n LLC have welcomed the latest Rev’n affiliate, KCBT in Bakersfield, California (DMA 126). KCBT, owned by Cocola Broadcasting Companies, launched Rev’n, Tuesday, April 5. Bakersfield-area viewers can now find Rev’n over-the-air on channel 34.10. 

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The Lingenfelter Collection has amassed rare and specialty vehicles from around the world, which have been carefully curated since 1980 by Ken Lingenfelter, CEO/owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House Set for April 23

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering will once again open the doors of the famed Lingenfelter Collection for its charitable 2016 Spring Open House, Saturday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at Lingenfelter Motorsports, 7819 Lochlin Drive, Brighton, Michigan 48116. Each year, area enthusiasts come to view some of the rarest, most unique cars in the world. The Lingenfelter Collection events are also used to support important charities. Donations accepted at this year's Spring Open House will benefit The American Cancer Society. The Collection has amassed rare and specialty vehicles from around the world, which have been carefully curated since 1980 by Ken Lingenfelter, CEO/owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. The Collection features more than 200 historically significant Corvettes, musclecars and late-model high-performance and exotic vehicles. Some of the latest additions include the first ’16 Gen-6 Camaro to receive a Magnuson supercharger upgrade delivering 630hp, an ’83 Porsche 911 Slant Nose, a ’71 LT1 Corvette and a ’74 Gremlin Levi’s Special Edition.

MAHLE Announces New Strategic Organizational Structure for MAHLE Test Systems

Building on 35 years of experience providing vehicle manufacturing end-of-line testing and service diagnostics, MAHLE has announced that its Test Systems division is being integrated into the MAHLE Service Solutions division of MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. Previously, MAHLE Test Systems was part of MAHLE Powertrain. MAHLE Test Systems provides vehicle and system diagnostic testing with a footprint in more than 50 vehicle manufacturing plants and 20,000 dealership and aftermarket locations on five continents and in 33 languages. More than 28 million vehicles around the world are tested with MAHLE software solutions each year.

Summit to Explore Automotive Restoration Curriculum in High Schools

The Hagerty Education Program (HEP) at America’s Car Museum is co-hosting an Arizona Regional Summit Meeting on May 4 at the East Valley Institute of Technology’s (EVIT) Mesa, Arizona, campus. The summit will explore how EVIT—an award-winning vocational high school—can support the booming Arizona car restoration industry and help fill the need for young talent at local shops. According to SEMA, in 2015, the automotive restoration industry reached $1.44 billion in product sales alone—an increase of 6% from 2014. HEP’s Arizona Regional Summit Meeting will bring together industry luminaries, including legendary race-car driver and HEP ambassador Lyn St. James, along with experts, SEMA members, local shop owners, instructors, administrators and students to discuss the expansion of EVIT’s curriculum to include restoration programs, which will lead to filling more jobs in the industry. The summit will explore how trade schools and education programs can ensure growth for the collector-car industry by working together to train skilled craftsmen.

Ryan Levesque, 26, who recently completed a HEP apprenticeship at Precision Motor Cars in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will speak about the impact the program has made in his life. Upon completion of the program, Levesque received help from HEP to secure a job at Kip Motor Company in Dallas, where he works with restoration manager Randy Bush to further develop his skills.

“As collector cars grow in rarity, automotive auction houses including Barrett-Jackson, Mecum and Sotheby’s are selling vehicles well in excess of one million dollars. One-of-a-kind and completely restored classics are at the top of the trading block and their prospective buyers’ lists,” said HEP National Director Diane Fitzgerald. “Last year, the automotive auction industry surpassed $1.8 billion in collector cars sales nationwide. There are 12 million cars predating 1981 and we believe this represents a good opportunity for industry growth and job creation.”

Since 2005, HEP has awarded nearly $3 million in program/project grants, scholarships and apprenticeships.

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Angie Frasier

RealTruck Promotes Angie Fraser to Director of Strategic Planning

RealTruck.com has promoted Angie Fraser to director of strategic planning. The decision was made based on Fraser’s proven leadership and project management skills, and outstanding ability to deliver results. The former information technology project manager has a track record of driving success at RealTruck. Fraser will work closely with all departments to ensure they stay aligned with and focused on RealTruck initiatives. Fraser’s background includes more than a decade in project management at Nokia Here (formerly Navteq), working with development and operations teams all over the world.

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Darren Harmon

Grote Industries Names Harmon OEM Regional Manager

Grote Industries has announced its recent hire of Darren Harmon as OEM regional manager. Harmon comes to the OEM Division from business development at Grote and brings 30 years of industry experience to his new role. He began his career at Grote in 1986 as a CADD draftsman and worked in engineering until 2013 when he joined sales and marketing.

Dee Zee Donates to SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races

Dee Zee Inc. is supporting SEMA Cares by donating to its Pinewood Drag Races, which was established by the SEMA Cares committee in 2007 to bring the voice and resources of the SEMA community together, making a positive difference in the lives of others by raising money for various SEMA Cares charities. The 2016 Pinewood Drag Races will be held at this year’s SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 29, 2016, in Pomona, California—home of NHRA’s famed 1/4-mile and the NHRA Museum. The races feature more than 200 cars in three vehicle categories—Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Each year, hundreds of SEMA-member companies step up to generously sponsor pinewood cars with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Sponsor a car now!

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