Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Stacey David (left) recently appeared on Governor Mike Huckabee’s TV show. |
Stacey David Teams Up With Governor Mike Huckabee
Stacey David, host of “Stacey David’s GearZ” TV show, teamed up with Governor Mike Huckabee to talk about the importance of veterans, hot rods and rock and roll on a recent episode of “Huckabee.” For a special Veterans Day show, David rolled in the Sgt. Rock truck, a highly modified ’41 Power Wagon that he built on “GearZ” and debuted at the SEMA Show two years ago in the Painless Performance booth. This one-of-a-kind rolling military tribute set the tone for a sold-out crowd of veterans and their families, where they got a chance to hear Governor Huckabee and David talk about the importance of honoring U.S. veterans, the value of teaching young people hot-rod skills and why music really is the universal language. Catch the show on the Huckabee website. Governor Huckabee will also make an appearance on “GearZ.”
Air Lift Company Named One of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation
Air Lift Company has announced it has been named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation for 2018. This award recognizes companies that excel at employee relations, use innovation to motivate employees, implement creative compensation programs and more. An independent research firm collected nominations from 2,400 companies across the United States and, out of those nominations, named the top 512 companies as national winners. The 101 highest-scoring companies of those 512 winners were also named, with Air Lift Company among them. The winning companies will receive additional recognition as a national winner at the National Best and Brightest Summit – Illuminate 2019 awards symposium and gala this September at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago.
 Hypertherm is expanding its Spark Something Great educational grant program to 12 schools in the United States and Canada. |
Hypertherm Expands Spark Something Great Grant Program to 12 North American Schools
Hypertherm is now accepting applications for its Spark Something Great educational grant program. This year, in response to demand and school need, Hypertherm is expanding the program to 12 schools in the United States and Canada. Winning schools will receive a Hypertherm Powermax45 XP plasma system, the full AWS SENSE approved Plasma Cutting Technology: Theory and Practice curriculum kit and in-person training from a Hypertherm plasma expert. The program, now in its fifth year, is meant to support the next generation of welders and metal fabricators by making the newest generation of plasma-cutting equipment and standardized instruction available to schools. To date, the company has awarded systems to 40 schools. This year, applications are due on or before April 1 with grant decisions communicated by May 1. More information, including instructions for applying, are available at www.hypertherm.com/grant.
 Rugged Ridge has unveiled a new logo. |
Rugged Ridge Announces New Design Philosophy and Unveils Updated Branding
Rugged Ridge has shared its new design philosophy, accompanied by an updated logo and branding design for the Rugged Ridge line of Jeep accessories and floor liners. Rugged Ridge was established in 2005 by parent company Omix-ADA to function as its aftermarket Jeep accessories brand. In 2017, Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge was purchased by Truck Hero Inc. According to the company, this change in ownership, along with the launch of the new Jeep JL Wrangler, inspired a renewed philosophy in product design: to engineer the most innovative products available for today’s discerning Jeep owner, and a commitment to deliver materials of exceptional quality, precise fitments and the finest premium finishes available in the industry today.
 Andy May |  Dennis Wells |
Draco Springs Hires Andy May and Dennis Wells
Draco Springs, in conjunction with SRI Performance, has announced it has expanded its technical sales and service departments by hiring two engineers: Andy May and Dennis Wells of Zeta Performance Vehicle Technologies (PVT). Going forward, the duo of May and Wells are expected to become the primary points of contact for all technical questions relating to Draco’s full line of racing springs. May’s background includes multiple tenures as a car chief and engineer with championship-caliber NASCAR teams. Wells spent the last decade as a shock and spring specialist for both NASCAR teams and other major spring companies. Together, May and Wells formed Zeta PVT—a full-service automotive engineering company specializing in vehicle testing and development.
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