Compiled by SEMA Editors

Volkswagen of America Inc. will sponsor the ProjectBaja.com Class 11 Volkswagen Beetle in the upcoming 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 race.

Volkswagen Sponsors Class 11 Beetle Team in the 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000

Volkswagen of America Inc. has announced that it will sponsor the ProjectBaja.com Class 11 Volkswagen Beetle in the 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 race, November 14–18, 2017. ProjectBaja.com is a team of Denver-based enthusiasts/racers led by industrial designer Josh McGuckin. His driving team will be accompanied by “CNET Roadshow” writer Emme Hall, who will report first-hand from the co-driver’s seat, along with Matt Wilson, Matt Fisher, Evan Chute and Nick Wilson.

NHRA Releases 2018 Lucas Oil Drag-Racing Series Schedule

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series 2018 season kicks off at Orlando Speed World Dragway in Orlando, Florida, February 23–24. During the year, the series will feature double-header events at Heartland Park Topeka, Mission Raceway Park, Texas Motorplex and Rocky Mountain Raceways. The series will also feature two stops at Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Oregon, and The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the season will conclude, November 1–4. The upcoming 2018 schedule will feature 44 divisional events with a minimum of six in each of the seven divisions. There will also be 26 regional events featuring the 260-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes. View the complete 2018 season schedule.

NASCAR Driver Julia Landauer Teams Up With TechForce

Julia Landauer, NASCAR female racer and advocate for women in S.T.E.M., has signed on as an official partner of TechForce Foundation and its FutureTech Success campaign. This industry-wide initiative aims to drive tomorrow’s workforce of transportation technicians by repositioning the image of the profession. Moreover, the campaign provides middle- and high-school students and their parents opportunities to experience automotive and motorsports technology and to encourage diverse audiences, including women and people of color, to enter the field. Bearing the title of FutureTech Success Ambassador, Landauer will work with the foundation through media appearances, public service announcements and fundraising efforts to inform and inspire young individuals seeking to pursue careers in the field of transportation tech.

2018 International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing has named the individuals that comprise the induction Class of 2018 to the museum’s International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, plus the recipient of the Founder’s Award. The Hall of Fame inductees include Jeb Allen, Kelly Brown, Gary Densham, Roy Fjastad, Jim Oddy, Oliver (Ollie) Riley and Greg Sharp. The Founder’s Award will be presented to Herb Fishel, a career employee of General Motors, who started as an engineer in Chevrolet’s infamous “Skunk Works” under Vince Piggins, and was later named to lead the Chevrolet Racing division in 1983. In 1991, he became the executive director of General Motors Racing. He retired from General Motors in 2003. In 2005, Fishel was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame. The inductees will be honored at the 28th annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet, to be held March 15, in Gainesville, Florida, at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, which has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Additional details will be announced at a future date.

NHRA Promotes Glen Cromwell to President, Peter Clifford to Chief Executive Officer

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has announced that Glen Cromwell has been promoted to president, effective January 1, 2018. Cromwell succeeds Peter Clifford as president. Clifford will assume the newly created post of chief executive officer, following more than 20 years with the organization, including serving as its president since 2015. Cromwell will head up NHRA’s leadership team and will report to Clifford and the board.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA councils and networks honor leading companies and professionals in their niche market of the automotive aftermarket industry annually at the SEMA Show. The awards programs for each group is meant to recognize the innovation, dedication, passion and meticulous works of their members.

Award announcements for the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), Professional Restyles Organization (PRO) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) appeared in last week’s SEMA eNews.

The following companies and individuals were honored with a council or network award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN)

The ETTN held its awards presentation at the 2017 SEMA Show to honor and celebrate professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry and to the network. Three awards were presented: the Ambassador Award, Genius Award and Techie Award.

The winner of the Genius Award was SEMA Ken Farrel (middle) of FiTech.	Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media (middle) earned the ETTN Ambassador Award.

The Ambassador Award winner is Kent Bradley of Performance Business Media. The award is presented to an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of the ETTN during the past year.

The winner of the Genius Award is Ken Farrel of FiTech. The award is given to honor and recognize outstanding individuals whose creativity and genius innovation have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that has a positive impact on the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

Seen here with SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (right), the ETTN Techie Award winner for 2017 is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific.

The ETTN Techie Award winner is Pete Gonzales of Darkside Scientific, who also won SEMA’s GEN-III Innovator of the Year Award. The Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative and original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or product sector.

More information on the ETTN is available at www.SEMA.org/ettn.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) held its Industry Awards Reception during the 2017 SEMA Show. The reception brings HRIA members together to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor the achievements of its volunteers through the council’s annual awards presentation.

Billet Specialties Named HRIA Business of the Year

The council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Presented to current members of the HRIA, the council’s Business of the Year award is presented to a company who has made an exceptional contribution to Hot Rod industry.

Billet Specialties was founded in 1985 by Glenn Grozich, who recognized a growing trend by hot-rod builders of the period to machine billet parts. Grozich was already a master machinist and fabricator at the age of 26, having learned his craft in his father’s Chicago-area machine shop. The company started with radiator caps and license-plate frames. Today, it boasts an inventory of more than 900 part numbers. Their two- and three-piece wheels have been the choice of many of the top builders, and have graced many award-winning rides. Everything is done in house in a 10,000 sq.-ft. facility, with more than 50 state-of-the-art CNC machines, and what is said to be one of the largest and best equipped polishing shops in the Midwest. With Grozich’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction, strict quality control standards are in place.

Hot Rod Industry Recognition Award

This year’s winners of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker (middle) of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

HRIA’s Industry Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years. The recipients are employees or principles of an HRIA-member company.

This year’s winner of the HRIA Industry Recognition Award is Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering.

Tucker has devoted his entire life to the hot-rod industry, ever since he debuted the Twister 69 Camaro on the Hot Rod Power Tour in 2000. While building Detroit Speed and Engineering into one of the premier manufacturing and car-building businesses in the industry, Tucker earned a reputation as a loyal friend and businessman. His builds continue to win awards, and he is considered one of the top influencers among hot-rod builders. Tucker is always available to assist with council functions and events, and many young builders are already benefitting from his advice, which Tucker offers freely.

HRIA Hall of Fame

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame.

Ken and Jane Callison of ididit inc. were inducted into the HRIA Hall of Fame. 

Born out of the American entrepreneurial spirit, ididit emerged out of a small garage in 1986 and has grown into one of the hot-rod industry’s leading aftermarket steering column manufacturers. ididit has been making the finest quality steering columns and related accessories for the hot-rod and musclecar enthusiast for the past 30 years. Located in Tecumseh, Michigan, ididit manufactures top quality, American-made steering columns for the automotive aftermarket, as well as steering systems for industrial, commercial and government vehicles.

For more information on the HRIA, visit www.SEMA.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) held an industry reception at the 2017 SEMA Show, where professionals from the light-truck segment gathered to network and present the group’s awards.

TORA Hall of Fame Adds Greg Adler, Don Balizet

The TORA Hall of Fame recognizes and honors outstanding individuals in the light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments, on a national/international basis, have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to, the light truck accessory industry’s growth. For 2017, TORA inducted Greg Adler and Don Balizet.

Greg Adler	Don Balizet

TORA Retailer of the Year, Charles Morrison, Truck’n America

Truck’n America accepts the TORA Retailer of the Year honor.

The TORA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding light-truck accessory retailers whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, professionalism and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and annual growth of the industry within the candidate's community. The 2017 recipient of the TORA Retailer of the Year award is Truck’n America.  

TORA Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence - Scott Williamson, Rugged Liner

Scott Williamson (middle) of Rugged Liner receives the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence.

For 2017, the TORA presented the Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence to Scott Williamson of Rugged Liner.

The Ron Webster Memorial Award for Engineering Excellence was created in honor of Ron Webster, president and founder of Guidon Truck Covers. Webster was one of the original members of TCIA, which later became TCAA, then TORA.

An engineer by education, Webster developed many early innovations in the truck-cap industry. He was a mentor to many leaders in the industry, and was posthumously elected into the TCAA/TORA Hall of Fame after his death in a white water river rafting accident in the early ’90s.

More information on the TORA is available at www.SEMA.org/TORA.

Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN)

During the Manufacturers Representative Network (MRN) annual reception, Joel Rosenthal, owner of Gantt-Thomas & Associates Inc., was inducted into the network’s Hall of Fame., and Bestop received the Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award.

Joel Rosenthal Inducted Into MRN Hall of Fame

Newest MRN Hall of Fame member Joel Rosenthal (middle) has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years.

Joel Rosenthal has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. He is known as an active volunteer within SEMA, assisting on the SEMA Scholarship committee, leading as MRN Chairman and helping guide the MRN as a long-time select committee member. Rosenthal is known as a person who looks for ways to be involved.

The MRN Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding manufacturers’ representatives within the automotive aftermarket. The MRN’s Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented by the network, and it is reserved for dedicated individuals who enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the manufacturers’ rep profession or the network’s growth.

Bestop Earns MRN’s STAR Award

Jim Chick (middle) accepts the 2017 STAR award for Bestop.

Each year, the general membership of the MRN selects an outstanding sales team to honor with the group’s STAR award. The award serves as a testament to the high professional standards that a sales team demonstrates throughout the year. The MRN presented its 2017 STAR award to the sales team at Bestop. 

According to MRN members, the Bestop sales team treats reps as true partners and valued team members. No only does the Bestop team provide reps with a high level of support, they consistently strive to exceed all expectations.

More information on the MRN is available at www.SEMA.org/mrn.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SBN presented the Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan (left) of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the group’s Athena Woman of the Year and the Athena Rising Star awards at the 2017 SEMA Show.

During the 2017 SEMA Show, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) presented the SBN Athena Woman of the Year award to Sara Morosan of LGE CTS Motorsports, and the SBN Athena Rising Star award to Krista Baldwin of McLeod Racing LLC.

The Athena Woman of the Year recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions made by a woman in the specialty equipment industry throughout the year. Considerations for the award include the candidate’s leadership, job and industry knowledge, management abilities, serving as a mentor or role model, and industry involvement.

The Athena Rising Star recognizes a woman under the age of 30 who is making significant strides in advancing her career in the automotive aftermarket. Athena Rising Stars take advantage of the resources for career development, including networking, education, leveraging the wisdom of others, along with any volunteer efforts within the industry.

More information on the SBN is available at www.SEMA.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

The Young Executives Network presented the YEN Vanguard Award and the Young Executive of the Year award during the 2017 SEMA Show.

The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to the individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive effect on a young executive’s career within the automotive industry. This year’s YEN Vanguard Award recipient is Diode Dynamics.

Trent Goodwin, 2017 Young Executive of the Year.	Paul McCain accepts the YEN Vanguard Award on behalf of Diode Dynamics.

The Young Executives Network Young Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The Young Executive of the Year for 2017 is Trent Goodwin of COMP Performance Group.

More information on the YEN is available at www.SEMA.org/yen.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Republican Congressional leaders and the Trump Administration have introduced legislation to overhaul the U.S. tax code. The measure is being debated in the House Ways and Means Committee with the goal of having it be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives by the end of November. Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate are crafting their own version of the tax bill to be debated in the near future.  The goal is to merge the House/Senate bills by the end of the year.  

In order to expand the voice of SEMA members on Capitol Hill, SEMA has been a longstanding member of the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC). It is a leading advocate on topics that impact small businesses, especially tax issues. The SBLC has prepared the following analysis of the House bill (below).  For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

How Would Small Businesses and Their Owners Fare Under H.R. 1 “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” and What Happens Next?  

While this analysis focuses on the House tax reform bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1), it is important to recognize that this piece of legislation is just the first stop towards a final bill. The Senate Finance Committee will be releasing its own draft tax reform bill which may differ on some issues.

Looking at things from a 10-mile high perspective, two-thirds of the tax cuts ($900 billion over the next ten years) in H.R. 1 would benefit corporations and one-third would benefit individuals.

Do Any Taxpayers End Up Worse Under H.R. 1?

A major goal of the House tax reform legislation is to have lower rates while broadening the tax base (by eliminating tax credits and deductions). It turns out though that single taxpayers with taxable income between $200,000 and $424,950 and married taxpayers with income between $260,000 and $424,950 would actually have their tax rate increased by 2% from 33% to 35%. Strangely, this is also the only group that would get hit with the marriage penalty.  

Most of the capital gains and dividend rates remain the same except for single taxpayers with gain from capital assets or dividends of between $424,950 and $426,700—these taxpayers would see a 5% rate increase from 15% to 20%.

As a bottom line, if an individual or a married couple has a significant amount of medical expenses, mortgage interest (existing loans would be grandfathered and subject to the old rules), real-estate taxes (under H.R.1 the deduction would be capped at $10,000), and/or state and local income taxes, they could end up worse off under this new bill.  

The bill would increase the standard deduction next year from $13,000 to $24,400. This standard deduction would be indexed to a measure of inflation known as the “chained CPI”, which will grow more slowly than the inflation factor utilized today. While the standard deduction is increased, with that would come the repeal of the personal exemption that in the past was claimed for each member of the household. The loss of the personal exemption could hurt families with even just two children—under current law, in 2018 a married couple with two children would receive a $13,000 standard deduction with four personal exemptions of $4,150 for a total exemption of income from federal income taxes of $29,600, whereas under H.R. 1 only $24,400 would be exempt from federal income tax. Obviously, the more children a middle to upper-middle income family has, the more the loss of the personal exemption would hurt.  The loss of personal exemptions is offset at least somewhat, but not entirely, by an increase in the child tax credit from $1,000 to $1,600 and an increase in the income limits where the child tax credits phase out to $115,000 (up from $75,000) for single taxpayers and $230,000 (up from $110,000) for married taxpayers. There is also a new credit for non-child dependents (the new “family flexibility credit”) of $300 but this will sunset in 2022.

Also on the child and dependent front, the ability of employers to offer tax-advantaged dependent care Flexible savings accounts was initially eliminated immediately under H.R. 1 until Monday when an amendment introduced by Chairman Brady of Ways and Means modified the bill to provide for such FSAs to continue until 2022. In short, middle to upper-middle income taxpayers with children would see a lot of changes under this proposal.

Another big change that taxpayers would see under H.R. 1 is a limiting of the mortgage interest deduction to $500,000 of acquisition debt (no deduction allowed for home equity loans), which will significantly increase the cost of higher-end homes or homes in more expensive regions. It is not hard to imagine this provision triggering a housing crash or a loss of value with respect to these types of homes and/or people shifting to renting high-end homes rather than purchasing them.  

One of the most controversial and complex provisions in the tax bill is the new pass-through business income tax rate. For owners in a pass-through entity who actually work in the business, the default provision is that 30% of the income is deemed to be attributable to the capital of the business and thus taxed at a new 25% tax rate while the remaining 70% is subject to the normal income tax rates.  There is a far more complicated formula for small business owners who choose to apply a facts and circumstances test to show that more than 30% of the income from the business is attributable to capital they have invested and thus will be taxed at the 25% tax rate.  For owners of personal service organizations, such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers, actuaries and consultants, the default presumption for active business income would be 0% not 30%.   

Not only will this provision add tremendous complexity to the tax code but it also creates a new major disparity in tax rates between C Corps (20%) and pass-through entities (a blend of 25% and the owner’s personal income tax rate). This differential is far worse than what exists today. Thus, instead of closing the gap between the C corp and pass-through entities, H.R. 1 actually makes the gap far worse. This provision is why many small business owners who work in their own businesses believe that the bill discriminates against them. Meanwhile folks who do not work in the pass-through, so-called “passive” owners, will receive the 25% rate on all income from the business.   

[As an aside, the bill provides significant benefits to foreign investors. This is because of the drop in the C corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%. Economists tell us that corporate tax cuts as a general rule tend to benefit those who own stock in a corporation. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, today foreign investors own approximately 35% of stock in American corporations. It is estimated by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy that foreign investors would receive $47 billion in benefits from the House bill in 2018 and in contrast, $38 billion in benefits would go to the bottom three-fifths of Americans.]

Another potential problem with the pass-through provision is it appears that, absent a modification to the bill, contributions made by owners and/or their pass-through business to a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan could be offset against the 30% tranche. This means that by contributing to a plan business owners would be foregoing a 25% rate on that money to instead put it into in a plan that, when taken out, would be taxed at the much higher individual rate. This would turn the tax incentives of these plans on their head and create a disincentive for small business owners to sponsor and contribute to a qualified retirement plan. Many small business groups, including the SBLC, are working to get language inserted into the bill which will fix this problem.  

The bill would also bring with it substantial changes to deferred compensation rules. For non-profit associations, 457(b) plans would be eliminated. 457(f) plans could only have a substantial risk of forfeiture based on the future performance of substantial services. 409A would be repealed and replaced with a new 409B. This new tax code section would change the existing rules on deferred compensation plans so that the vast majority of these plans would no longer exist. Existing deferred compensation plans that were established based on pre-2018 service would be grandfathered until the last tax year beginning before 2026.  

What Are the Advantages of the New Tax Bill?

While there are a number of controversial and potentially problematic provisions in the bill, depending on what kind of taxpayer you are looking at, the bill also brings definite advantages.

C corporate rates drop immediately to 20% (though, as noted above, this comes at the expense of increasing the disparity with pass-throughs).

The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is repealed, which is likely to help upper-middle income and wealthy taxpayers and would definitely simplify the tax code.

The bill would also increase the federal estate tax exemption (as well as the generation-skipping transfer tax exemption) in 2018 for single individuals from $5.6 million to $11.2 million and for married couples from $11.2 million to $22.4 million which would be a major help for those small business owners who had a higher estate than the current exemption amounts. Starting in 2023, the estate tax and the generation-skipping transfer tax are scheduled to be repealed in their entirety. The step-up in basis is preserved in this bill which will help the heirs of any deceased person who had assets that had appreciated significantly during his/her life. The increase in the exemption amounts culminating with repeal will be of some help to those upper-middle income taxpayers or those in the lower range of wealthy whose estates exceed the amount of the exemption today. It will be an enormous help to the extraordinarily wealthy.

Companies would be able to immediately write off the full cost of investments in their businesses, starting with assets purchased after September 28, 2017 and before January 1, 2023. Moreover, companies with average gross receipts of $25 million or less will be able to continue to deduct business interest. For those with average gross receipts of greater than $25 million, the business interest deduction will be limited to 30% of adjusted gross income.

The section 179 deduction is expanded dramatically from $500,000 to $5 million and has an increased phaseout threshold, and the research and development credit is retained as is the low-income housing credit.

Finally, H.R. 1 would increase the availability of the cash method of accounting by raising the current $5 million average gross receipts ceiling to $25 million.

Conclusions

As noted above, the proposals in H.R. 1 are just the beginning of the tax reform efforts. As we saw with the health-care fight earlier this year, passage of tax reform will hinge on whether the Republican leadership can assemble sufficient support in the Senate. Because of this, we expect the Senate bill to be the greater driver of the process, with the current House bill serving as more of a test balloon for certain provisions. While there is a great deal of momentum behind tax reform at this point, there have also been some significant groups, including Republican members in places with high state and local income taxes (whose constituents could be negatively impacted by H.R. 1 in its current form), who have raised concerns about the bill. Moreover, it is no secret that the current proposal would significantly increase the federal deficit, which may pose a concern for the budget hawks.