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YEN Member Spotlight: Chris Payne of Truck Gurus on Helping Companies Grow and Thrive

By Ashley Reyes

Cris PayneChris Payne is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Payne is the owner of Truck Gurus and a leader in designing, building and marketing vehicle builds for the automotive aftermarket. An avid SEMA Show vehicle builder, Payne works directly with manufacturers to assist them on their journey to represent and grow their business and promote exposure of their products and accessories.

Find out what keeps Payne in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Chris Payne: Do not run before you walk.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

CP: Passion keeps me in the industry. I love being able to help companies grow, thrive and succeed. Being trusted by so many is an honor in and of itself.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

CP: If it is hot, probably at the lake with friends and family.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

CP: A notepad, pen and personality is all you need!

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?

CP: I would go to lunch with Gale Banks; he is the man. It’s hard to think of anyone who has been a pioneer as long as he has. He is a living legend.  

If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.