ARMO Industry Reception Packs the House

SEMA Member News—February 2011

ARMO’s annual awards are always a highlight of the evening, and this year was no exception. Two new members were inducted into the ARMO Hall of Fame—Jeff Leonard of Classic Industries and Doug Evans of Source Interlink Media.

Leonard founded Classic Industries years ago when he recognized the need for quality, accurate parts to support the restoration industry. Classic Industries now provides the restoration enthusiast with an ever-growing inventory of parts with which to complete a restoration project. That’s a long way from Leonard’s beginnings in the industry, when he was selling carpet kits out of the trunk of his car. As Gage pointed out in his presentation, there likely is not a first-generation Camaro project out there that doesn’t have a Classic Industries part on it.

	SEMA Board member Doug Evans (center) of Source Interlink Media received his ARMO Hall of Fame award from ARMO Chairperson Laura Bergan (left) of American Collectors Insurance and ARMO Chair-Elect Alex Tainsh of Parts Unlimited Interiors.		Bergan and Tainsh were also on hand to present restoration industry veteran Jeff Leonard of Classic Industries with his ARMO Hall of Fame award.

Evans, a current SEMA Board member, began his SEMA career in ARMO and has never forgotten those roots. He makes sure that Source Interlink Media publications regularly support ARMO-inspired programs, such as Take a Kid to a Car Show and Collector Car Appreciation Day, and he also ensures that the publications keep enthusiasts up-to-date with legislative information. Evans is tireless in his support of the aftermarket and is well deserving of a place in the ARMO Hall of Fame.

Other ARMO awards included:

• Restoration Event of the Year: Year One’s Chip Foose Braselton Bash
• 2010 Business of the Year: Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists
• 2010 Person of the Year: Jim Barber

Steve McKee, currently attending the University of Missouri, Columbia, was recognized as this year’s Jeff Moses Memorial Scholarship Fund recipient. Jeff Moses, then president of Auto Custom Carpets, was killed in a plane crash on February 13, 2001. Moses was highly regarded in the industry for his work ethic and integrity. ARMO founded the Jeff Moses Memorial Scholarship Fund in his memory and awards it each year to a student who is studying and working toward a career in the restoration industry. Congratulations to Steve McKee, and good luck on your career!

ARMO at Hotrod & Restoration

In an effort to attract more members to the most important ARMO meeting of the year, the ARMO open meeting will be held in conjunction with the Hotrod & Restoration Show in Indianapolis. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

ARMO has also been invited to conduct two seminars on Saturday during the Hotrod & Restoration event. “The Art of Selling” and “Understanding How the Internet Can Help Your Business” will be this year’s subjects.