Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Chris Murabito |
Stertil-Koni Names Chris Murabito New Midwest Regional Sales Manager
Stertil-Koni has announced that Chris Murabito has been named midwest regional sales manager. In his new post, Murabito brings more than 20 years of client-focused sales management, new business development and a dedicated concentration on customer service to Stertil-Koni and its initiatives in advancing the heavy-duty vehicle lift sector. He succeeds Jim Sylvester, who recently retired following 22 years with Stertil-Koni. Murabito will manage a territory that includes Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and parts of Wisconsin, supporting Stertil-Koni’s exclusive distributor network serving these states. Most recently, Murabito served as a midwest territory account manager with a leading supplier of vehicle fluids and equipment. He was responsible for sales, new business development and managing relationships with customers. While there, Murabito increased sales in his region by 32% over a three-year period.
 Joanna Agosta Shere |
Steele Rubber Products Appoints Joanna Agosta Shere as New President
Steele Rubber Products has announced the appointment of Joanna Agosta Shere as its new president/CEO. She assumed day-to-day leadership responsibilities January 1. She joined the company in July 2005, serving as Steele’s vice president over the past four years. Throughout her tenure, Shere has worked in many different areas of the company, including marketing, customer service, research and development, commercial sales, management and administration. In addition to her responsibilities at Steele, Shere also serves as a SEMA volunteer on its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) select committee, where she collaborates with other members on behalf of the restoration industry. She has also served as a key member of the Hickory, North Carolina, Jaycees organization, giving back to the local community. Matt Agosta, Steele Rubber Products former president, has retired, but remains with the company as an owner and a member of the board.
 Jeff Allen’s ’63 Volvo, known as #V06, will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson, with 100% of proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. |
Flat 12 Gallery Joins Pennzoil to Auction Customized ’63 Volvo for Charity at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
Jeff Allen of Flat 12 Gallery, as seen on the CNBC television show “The Car Chasers” and podcast “Skidmarks Show,” is selling his custom-built ’63 Volvo, known as the #V06, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which offers financial assistance to students pursuing an automotive career. With the help of Shell and Pennzoil, the one-of-a-kind vehicle morphed a ’63 Volvo 122 Amazon with a ’13 Grand Sport Corvette to create the #V06. Powered by Pennzoil Synthetics, the #V06 packs a 600hp punch from a Lingenfelter Performance Built LS7. The Volvo will cross the auction block during Scottsdale Auction Week at Barrett-Jackson, Friday, January 17, 2020, in charity lot #3005 at approximately 6:30 p.m. (PST).
The team is showing that #TheProofIsInThePennzoil by campaigning the #V06 in a variety events before it crosses the Barrett-Jackson auction block this month, stacking up awards from winning a Golden Ticket to the Ultimate Street Car Invitational at the SEMA Show to winning the Show-N-Shine Award for Best Non-Domestic at LSFest West. The Volvo was also featured in the blockbuster franchise “Fast & Furious” in the recent “Hobbs and Shaw” movie.
Some build features include:
- A SEMA Garage custom 3-D-printed rear spoiler
- LS7 7.0L Lingenfelter Performance engine
- A customized ’13 Corvette driveline
- Forgeline GTD-5 monoblock wheels
- BAER brakes
- Clinched flares
- Recaro customized seats
- Takata five-point seat belts
- BASF B67 Austin Yellow paint
- Quiet Ride Solutions insulation
- Tartan trunk and headliner
“The #V06 vehicle build is unlike anything we’ve done before,” Allen said. “It is the type of car no one can pass by without taking notice, but it also represents an exciting opportunity to invest in the next generation of young students pursuing an automotive career.”
 Paul Oleandi |
Paul Oleandi Named Brake Parts Inc. Sales Director
Brake Parts Inc. has promoted Paul Oleandi to sales director of national/key accounts. In his new role at BPI, Oleandi will be responsible for business development for the Raybestos and Maval brands for assigned key accounts across the U.S. This is an essential part of BPI’s growth strategy. Oleandi joined BPI in 2015, serving in a variety of roles, including director of sales and business development manager. A member of the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), Oleandi has 17 years of experience in the auto care industry.
 Juan-Jose Rebaza |
Impact Announces Partnership with ASAP Trading USA LLC for Representation in Latin America
Impact Racing Inc. has announced a partnership with ASAP Trading USA LLC, a sales and marketing agency with offices in San Diego, California, and Lima, Peru, as its exclusive authorized representative company for Mexico, Central and South America. ASAP Trading USA LLC was established by Juan-Jose Rebaza to serve the Latin American region. Rebaza is based in San Diego. He brings more than 15 years of logistics and international experience developing business in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The company’s Lima operations are managed by his brother Ricardo, who has more than 20 years of experience in logistics.
 American Racing Headers will visit Camp Arifjan with the PriuSRT8. |
American Racing Headers to Be at Camp Arifjan With the PriuSRT8
American Racing Headers (ARH) will visit the troops at Camp Arifjan—a United States Army base located in Kuwait that houses more than 16,000 service members from four branches of the military. ARH will bring a full day of fun with the PriuSRT8 at the “A Hemi for Heroes” event, Sunday, January 12. The PriuSRT8 was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage, displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, raced on Detroit’s Woodward Avenue during Roadkill Nights and put on display at the New York Auto Show.
 Kate Turowska |
Motovicity Distribution Hires Kate Turowska as Marketing Manager
Motovicity Distribution has expanded its team with the addition of Kate Turowska as the new marketing manager. She joined the company December 16, after having served as a marketing manager for Stanley Black and Decker’s Engineered Fastening division, where she was responsible for promoting the industrial product portfolio that included Heli-Coil and POP. Prior to Stanley, Turowska led the development and execution of a successful marketing strategy for Spiralock Corp., helping the company grow its brand awareness and reach significant milestones in sales until its acquisition by Stanley Black and Decker in 2008.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.