By Ashley Reyes
Brent LaLonde is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. Lalonde is the president of Mechanical Power Inc., a global sourcing company that supplies bearings, sprockets, chains and related industrial products.
Find out what keeps LaLonde 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?
Brent LaLonde: Be humble. Be Hungry. This advice has helped me in both my personal and professional lives in leading people by example and generating rapport and respect.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
BL: I'm from metro Detroit and grew up loving the automotive industry. I love manufacturing, global supply chain and am a gearhead at heart. I’ve been to the Woodward Dream Cruise every year, and every year it’s a reminder how thriving the car community is.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
BL: I can be found playing with my kids, at a Cars and Coffee event or golfing.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
BL: I prepare with an agenda, data, script, objectives and being at least five minutes early!
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
BL: Chip Foose. He’s a nice blend of old school and new school. I like his demeanor. I’d be very curious to see his take on what the next 20–30 years in automotive aftermarket and the hot-rod industry look like considering what the government and OEMs are doing.
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.