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The Industry Gathers to Pay Homage to Its Leaders and Legends

By Chad Simon

Banquet
Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Nearly 500 members of the automotive specialty-parts industry attended the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala, themed “Leaders & Legends,” at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California, on July 28, to pay tribute to the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers.

Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda served as the evening’s emcees. Honorees included the SEMA Hall of Fame class of 2017—GiGi Carleton, Robert E. Petersen Foundation; Doug Evans, Bonnier Corp.; and Barry Meguiar, Meguiar’s. (Read more about the 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.)

The festivities kicked-off with the Pinewood Drag Races—an annual fundraiser for SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. In addition to the Stock, Build-It-For-Me (BIFM) and Unlimited classes, the races include the Council Cup and Industry Cup Challenge. Children living at the Childhelp facilities and Victory Junction campers built the vehicles for the BIFM class and donors sponsored their racecars for $95.

A reception followed shortly after the races ended, where SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting took the stage to personally recognize the efforts of outgoing Board of Directors officials and welcome the incoming Board. They included:

  • Wade Kawasaki of Coker Tire, Chairman of the Board (incoming)
  • Tim Martin of K&N Engineering, Chair-Elect (incoming)
  • Nate Shelton of Driven Performance Brands, Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (outgoing)
  • Doug Evans of Bonnier Corp., Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary (incoming)
  • John Johnson of The Spartan Group, Treasurer (outgoing)
  • Peter Lehman of Granite Creek Capital Partners LLC, Treasurer (incoming)
  • James Lawrence of Power Automedia (incoming)
  • Greg Adler of Transamerican Auto Parts (re-elected)

Here’s a look at the pinewood leaderboard:

Council Cup

1st Place: SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)
2nd Place: Young Executives Network (YEN)
3rd Place: Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

Build It For Me Class (cars and trucks built by kids)

1st Place: WeatherTech
2nd Place: Truckin’ America
3rd Place: Holmes Enterprises

Stock Class

1st Place: Keystone Automotive Operations 
2nd Place: Bodyguard Truck Accessories
3rd Place: Manke Trucking

Unlimited Class

1st Place: Dave Williams, Go Rhino Products
2nd Place: Ian Lehn, BOOSTane
3rd Place: Jessi Combs, RAD

Industry Cup Challenge (member category represented)

1st Place: Allied Exhaust (WD), 2.462 seconds
2nd Place: LGE-CTS (Service), 2.466 seconds
3rd Place: RTM (Media), 2.474 seconds
4th Place: Mothers (Manufacturer), 2.482 seconds
5th Place: Bob Cook Sales (Manufacturers’ Reps), 2.484 seconds

While the racing is over, it’s not too late to make a direct donation to Childhelp and Victory Junction via SEMA Cares.

The following photos showcase activities from the 2017 SEMA Installation and Gala.

Band
Guests enjoyed live music during the reception.
Pinewood
The SEMA Pinewood Drag Races, held in conjunction with the Installation and Gala, raised money for charities supported by SEMA Cares. 
Jessi Combs and Jarod DeAnda
The Gala was emceed by industry personalities Jessi Combs (left) and Jarod DeAnda (right).
Chris Kersting
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting welcomed attendees to the annual Installation and Gala.
Barsamian
SEMA Cares Chairman Rich Barsamian encouraged guests to sponsor a Pinewood car to help raise money for children’s charities.
Wade Kawasaki
SEMA Board of Directors Chairman Wade Kawasaki was formally introduced to Installation and Gala attendees.
Nate Shelton
Outgoing SEMA Immediate Past Chairman/Secretary Nate Shelton (second from left) was recognized for his contributions.
Tim Martin
Chris Kersting, Wade Kawasaki and Doug Evans welcomed SEMA Board of Directors Chair-Elect Tim Martin (second from left).
James Lawrence
James Lawrence (second from left) was welcomed as a new SEMA Board member.
Peter Lehman
New SEMA Board officer Peter Lehman (second from left) assumed the role of treasurer.
Doug Evans
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Doug Evans.
GiGi Carleton
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee GiGi Carleton.
Barry Meguiar
2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Barry Meguiar.
2017 SEMA Board
The 2017–2018 SEMA Board of Directors.