Fast Facts

SEMA News—October 2012

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

Don Baxter

Baer Brake Systems added Don Baxter to the company as general manager. According to Baer, Baxter has more than 30 years of management experience in the automotive industry. “Baxter is someone we’ve had on our radar for quite a while,” said Hal Baer. “He has demonstrated success in operations management, risk and expense control, technology integration and optimization along with other high-level expertise.” Baer Brake Systems, Phoenix, AZ; 602-233-1411.

Source Interlink Media announced the appointment of Jerry Pitt as senior marketing director for the Performance Auto Group. In his new role, Pitt will focus on integrated marketing programs across the Performance Auto, Motorcycle and Truck & Off-Road groups as well as interact with all other divisions at the company. Pitt will transition from his post as publisher of Hot Rod, a position he’s held since 2005, and Jeff Dahlin will assume that role at Hot Rod. As senior marketing director, Pitt will focus on Source Interlink Media brand and division collaboration and creating access for marketing partners across Source Interlink Media’s entire media portfolio. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900; www.sourceinterlink.com.

Ernie Silvers, CEO/president of SEMA member Egge Machine Co. Inc., has joined the board of the California Small Business Association (CSBA). As a new board member, Silvers will play a vital role in representing the needs of CSBA members and the millions of small businesses throughout California. Established in 1915 and located in Santa Fe Springs, California, Egge is a third-generation family business. Silvers joined the company in August 1995 as sales manager and became Egge’s first non-family member CEO/president in 2005. In addition to his work with CSBA, Silvers has served in various leadership positions with SEMA and is currently a board member on the SEMA Political Action Committee. Egge Machine Co. Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA; 562-945-3419. California Small Business Association (CSBA), Los Angeles, CA; 800-350-CSBA.

	Terry L. Karges

Terry L. Karges was appointed executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Karges succeeded Buddy Pepp beginning August 15. Pepp retired after a two-year run as executive director of the museum. Karges brings four decades of automotive, entertainment and motorsports management experience to the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Terry is a very well qualified businessman with a strong management background that the board of directors feels will do a terrific job as the Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Chairman of the Board Steve Young. Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, CA; 323-930-CARS.; www.petersen.org.

Hemmings Motor News has hired Ken DeVries as senior account executive. According to the company, DeVries has been a successful sales manager and account executive for more than 25 years. “We are excited about having Ken on our sales team,” said Jeff Yager, director of advertising for Hemmings Motor News. “His experience, enthusiasm and desire will be instrumental in growing our business.” Prior to joining Hemmings Motor News, DeVries was the key account sales manager with Auto Trader Classics/Autotrader.com. He has also served as a Select Committee member on SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO). Hemmings Motor News Bennington, VT; 800-227-4373.

Friends of Carroll Shelby, including Ford Motor Co., Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others, have built a special tribute ’13 Shelby GT500 Cobra.

Friends of Carroll Shelby, including Ford Motor Co., Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others, have built a special tribute ’13 Shelby GT500 Cobra. Using the 662hp ’13 Shelby GT500 as a foundation, the team has created a one-of-a-kind ’13 Shelby GT500 Cobra wide-body Mustang that now generates more than 850hp with the help of a Ford Racing 4.0L Whipple supercharger.

Brembo announced the addition of Federated Auto Parts Distributors to its list of distributors for the company’s complete range of OE replacement products. “We are proud to now add Federated Auto Parts as one of our key aftermarket customers in North America,” said Ferde Sanders, aftermarket manager of Brembo North America. “With the selected distribution model of our premium aftermarket range, we believe that this is a unique opportunity for Federated members to be able to offer quality braking products developed from our 50-year heritage with OE manufacturers and race teams to their great customers.” Brembo, Plymouth, MI; 734-468-2100.

	Mike Magda

With the launch of its new online magazine, EngineLabs.com, Power Automedia hired Mike Magda as the EngineLabs editor. According to Power Automedia, Magda has extensive experience in communicating to the automotive industry through print and online media. He has served as editor on four national enthusiast print magazines and has authored hundreds of automotive technical briefings used for instructional purposes. Joining Magda on the EngineLabs team will be veteran Power Automedia Senior Tech Editor Bobby Kimbrough. Power Automedia, Murrieta, CA.

Mike Alexander comes on board as editor of Power Automedia’s RodAuthority.com. Michael Harding has been drafted from StreetLegalTV.com staff writer to associate editor, and Rick Seitz is joining the Power Automedia team as staff writer for StreetLegalTV and LSXTV.com.

The Aftermarket Foundation recently launched a new website, www.aftermarketfoundation.org. Established 52 years ago, the Foundation has helped countless members of the automotive aftermarket who, because of a catastrophic illness or terrible accident, have fallen on hard times with no place to turn. All 29 board members are major players in the automotive aftermarket and represent many of the major aftermarket corporations and trade associations, including SEMA. Aftermarket Foundation, Tequesta, FL; 772-286-5500.

	WyoTech-Laramie was awarded an honorable mention for community service by the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities

WyoTech-Laramie was awarded an honorable mention for community service by the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities as part of the association’s annual achievement awards. According to Wyo-Tech, the Community Service Award honors a campus that goes above and beyond to implement charitable community programs and engages staff and students in volunteer efforts. More than 1,000 WyoTech-Laramie students logged more than 13,896 volunteer hours providing some form of community service. WyoTech-Laramie, Laramie, WY; 866- 202-6582.

Sears Holdings Corp. has selected Chris Duke, host of the “Motorz” television show, as the exclusive automotive tool spokesperson

Sears Holdings Corp. has selected Chris Duke, host of the “Motorz” television show, as the exclusive automotive tool spokesperson and advisor for all Sears automotive print and online catalogs. The decision was announced this month as part of a growing relationship between the two companies. Duke is a well-known television personality, producer and 13-year automotive industry veteran.

On the morning of November 29, 2012, Dave Despain will present a live version of his Wind Tunnel TV program that airs on Speed Channel during the Grand Opening Breakfast on opening day of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. And joining him this year will be 15-Time NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Champion and driver of the Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang John Force. Motorsports professionals are encouraged to pre-register now for credentials for the PRI Trade Show. PRI, Laguna Beach, CA; 949-499-5413.

	Larry Fisher has been named executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Larry Fisher has been named executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. Fisher is a longtime automotive enthusiast, holding membership in the Society of Automotive Historians and himself a collector of vintage autocycles, motorcycles and microcars. In his new position, Fisher will be responsible for administrative operations and fundraising efforts for the museum, which is located on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex complex—also home to Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Pomona CA; 909-622-2133.

Maradyne High Performance Fans has created a Facebook page and YouTube channel to highlight a series of educational videos for end users and enthusiasts. The videos cover a wide range of topics, including the advantages of purchasing an electric fan over an engine-driven fan; the benefits of a straight blade fan in high-performance applications; and the myths behind cubic feet per minute (CFM) numbers. The Facebook page also features new product information, race team activities, company events, photos and trade show updates. Maradyne High Performance Fans, Cleveland, OH; 800-403-7953.

The board of directors of Curtis Industries LLC appointed Scott Nelson CEO and president, effective immediately. Nelson succeeds John Rachwalski, who is retiring but will remain on the board of directors and as a consultant to the company. Nelson was most recently president EMEA for Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment and was previously CEO of Doosan Infracore International, which included Bobcat Co., Ingersoll Rand Portable Power and the attachments business unit sold by Ingersoll Rand in December 2007. Curtis Industries LLC, Worcester, MA; 800-343-7676.