2011–2012 New YEN Select Committee Members

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SEMA Member News—September/October 2011

2011–2012 New YEN Select Committee Members

The recent council elections brought six new members to the Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee, joining a new chairman. Here’s an opportunity to get to know a bit about them.

The new chairman of YEN, Dan Kahn, president of Kahn Media Inc., says that the automotive specialty-equipment industry raised him. He has been working in the aftermarket since before he could vote, so it’s very important to him. He attended his first SEMA Show for a tiny magazine when he was 18 and was both inspired and terrified. He remembers the old YEN silent auction from that first Show, and it was the reason that he joined the network. He hopes that the group can help guide young people to make every SEMA experience as positive and productive as possible.    Monika Banaitis has been an automotive enthusiast for many years. After stints on the retail side, where she developed a solid foundation of industry knowledge, she took a position on the Canadian sales team at Keystone Automotive, where she was laser-focused on developing a new market. Soon afterward, she found herself in a leadership role as merchandising manager for the truck, off-road and towing team located in Dallas, Texas. She now manages relationships with Keystone’s suppliers on a broader scale, including marketing, advertising and promotional programs.  
     

A self-described gearhead, Scott Bonato recently built a pro-touring-style ’79 Pontiac Trans Am (LS1, six speed and full of aftermarket bolt-ons). He raced in the 24 Hours of LeMons, and he recently started a new restoration project, a ’57 Ford Fairlane 500. In the workplace, Bonato has years of digital media experience, and magazine and mainstream car-shopping websites in the Jumpstart network. As the director of aftermarket sales for Car and Driver, he helps companies promote their products online.

 

Matt Reasoner of Bedrug Inc./TruXedo is one of the industry’s up-and-comers, with more than seven years of experience as a manufacturers’ rep and factory sales manager. Reasoner is a true believer in YEN, in that it helps bring together the future leaders of the industry. As such, he knows it can be one of the most influential of the councils.

 
     

John Rosanbalm of Conklin Company Inc. has experience in wholesale distribution, inside and outside sales, Internet sales, product and sales training, cost and pricing analysis, product development and manufacturing. After finishing college at Drury University in 2005 with majors in mathematics and business administration and a minor in actuarial science, he joined the sales team at Arrow Speed Warehouse. In 2008, John joined the Conklin Company, where he is the vehicle products specialist and international marketing coordinator.

 

For many years, Mike Timmons has had the goal of being part of a SEMA Select Committee. He is a strong believer that we all have great ideas and need a chance to be heard. Timmons has been involved with the automotive industry for the past 12 years, currently with Wes Coast Marketing. Through his knowledge of retail, wholesale and marketing, he will play a big part in helping YEN become stronger in the future.

 

Clayton Tomasino of Scorpion Protective Coatings Inc. is president and CEO of Scorpion Protective Coatings Inc. With a degree in international business and coming from a finance background, he began working at Scorpion as chief financial officer in 2007. Under his guidance, the business has increased sales revenues at a minimum of 20% per year, with some segments showing increases of more than 200% in 2010. Tomasino is an alumnus of Valparaiso University and the University of Indianapolis.