By Christina Kwan
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| SEMA Board member Laurel Dasher (left) of MagnaFlow was elected chair of the Scholarship Committee, and Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was elected chair of the SEMA Cares Committee. | ||
The 501(c)3 organization which oversees two of SEMA's nonprofit groups, the SEMA Scholarship Committee and the SEMA Cares Committee, has appointed Susan Carpenter of JR Products as its new chairperson. Carpenter, who also serves on the SEMA Board of Directors, is joined by new leaders on each individual committee as well.
SEMA Board of Directors member Laurel Dasher, of Magnaflow, has been elected to chair the SEMA Scholarship Committee and Rich Barsamian, VP of Sales and Marketing at Advanced Clutch Technology, has been elected to chair the SEMA Cares Committee.
 Susan Carpenter |
“These are exciting changes for the philanthropy arm of SEMA,” said Carpenter. “Both committees have made a tremendous impact to date and I look forward to working with both teams to further reach their goals. Both of our newly elected chairs bring great leadership and experience to their new roles.”
The newly elected committee chairs follow in the footsteps of two dynamic immediate past-chairs, Luanne Brown (SEMA Cares Committee) and Joel Ayres (SEMA Scholarship Committee). Brown and Ayres have tirelessly served the past several years in leading their respective committee's efforts and it is with gratitude and many thanks for the paths they've opened up for their successors.
About the Committees
The SEMA Scholarship Committee is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators through its scholarship awards given out through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The SEMA Cares Committee, established by the Board of Directors in 2007, aims to bring the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in children’s lives. Annually, the SEMA Cares Committee leads significant fundraising efforts including the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races and participation in custom industry-build vehicles that are auctioned off.
For more information about SEMA Cares, visit www.sema.org/council/SEMA-Cares. To learn more about the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit www.sema.org/scholarship.