By AJ Carney

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Phoenix, where members and prospective members will gather at Baer on Thursday, February 16, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and the SEMA team.

SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings provide both members and prospective members with the opportunity to learn about the association’s current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions give members a chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. As SEMA staff interacts with attendees, they also gain valuable feedback, which helps identify how current benefits can enhance members’ business operations to better meet their needs.

For more information on the 2017 Town Hall Series or to register, visit SEMA’s Town Hall Meetings website or contact Kristen Fregoso at 909-978-6681 or kristenf@sema.org.

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Eight years is a pretty extended period of time for a car to remain in production without significant modification, so Volvo is working assiduously on a brand-new generation of the compact crossover. These photos captured it testing in its home territory of northern Sweden.

Even though it was drenched in body armor to protect its design from prying eyes, part of the headlights and the vertical taillights can be clearly seen, and the overall shape is reminiscent of a shrunken Volvo XC90.

Insiders state that the interior will closely resemble the one from the XC90. The upright center console display is said to be almost identical to that of the XC90 and S90.

Technology-wise, the all-new XC60 is likely to become one of the safest cars in its segment due to to an array of active safety features comprising the acclaimed IntelliSafe. Not yet confirmed, it’s believed that the model will be able to drive itself in city traffic at certain speeds.

Since it will be based on the same Scalable Product Architectureb (SPA) platform as the latest XC90 and the S90, the engine lineup will consist of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines exclusively. A plug-in hybrid version is also in the works, while the most powerful model should push around 400 hp after in-house tuning firm Polestar gets its hands on it.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Amelia Zwecher

Rick Hogan

SEMA Career Center sat down with Rick Hogan, a job seeker and an aftermarket enthusiast, to discuss his career aspirations. Following a recent feature about Hogan’s life-changing accident in 2011, in which he fell from the roof of his home in Orlando, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, SEMA eNews decided to further spotlight his extensive experience, successes and drive to stay in the aftermarket industry.

Below is an interview with Hogan that was conducted in November 2016.

SEMA eNews: Are you seeking part-time or full-time work? What kind of company are you looking to work for?

Rick Hogan: I am looking for full-time, but would consider consulting for multiple companies each taking a portion of my time. Start-up to medium is where I thrive ($0 to $20 million). But depending on the company, I would be open to any opportunity.

SEMA eNews: How adept are you at using technology to communicate?

Hogan: I am a highly trained individual and technologically savvy. I strongly believe that I am equally efficient using technology, such as video conferencing, telephone, numerous software and via e-mail.

SEMA eNews: Why should a company hire you?

Hogan: I have experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales and marketing in every channel with contacts and relationships with vice presidents of purchasing, category managers and buyers at nearly all mass merchandisers, performance warehouses, traditional warehouse distributors and automotive retailers in the United States and Canada. I understand how to build teams, generate sales and create demand through marketing, editorials and advertising.  

SEMA eNews: Why do you want to work in the automotive industry?

Hogan: I have a passion for all things automotive and anything with an engine. This industry is my home, my friends, and all I know.

SEMA eNews: What kind of opportunity are you specifically seeking?

Hogan: I want to work as a consultant or direct employee, ideally with a small- to medium-sized company in sales and marketing. If I could pick a direct product, it would be in the performance segment of the aftermarket.

SEMA eNews: Please provide specific stats on your sales quotas at your current/previous jobs and the plan you used to meet the quotas.

Hogan: I have sold products from window handles, door knobs, fan belts, radiator hoses, import auto parts, seat covers, floor mats, decals and spark plugs. I have used my years of relationships and built trust with key accounts and buyers to sell and promote products. I utilized relationships with public-relations contacts and editors to secure editorials and help create demand for products.  

SEMA eNews: What challenges are you looking for in a position?

Hogan: I love to take unknown products or companies to the aftermarket. I enjoy the challenge of selling products that someone else could not do.

SEMA eNews: Describe the most difficult sales call you have made.

Hogan: Wow! In almost 35 years of selling it is hard to pinpoint one particular hard sale. One that comes to mind was selling E3 Spark Plugs to CSK, now owned by O’Reilly Auto Parts. I was so persistent, the buyer said he appreciated my enthusiasm and follow up but to please back off for a while. I sold him 60 days later. We are now friends.

SEMA eNews: How do you handle the negotiation phase?

Hogan: I love face-to-face, in-person sales calls or Skype. I like for the customer to feel I am an expert in my category, my product and always have the authority to say yes or no. I want enough information about costs and pricing to make a fair, long-lasting and profitable business relationship for both parties.

For more information, please email ameliaz@sema.org. To view Hogan’s résumé, visit LinkedIn.

By Amelia Zwecher

Rick Hogan

SEMA Career Center sat down with Rick Hogan, a job seeker and an aftermarket enthusiast, to discuss his career aspirations. Following a recent feature about Hogan’s life-changing accident in 2011, in which he fell from the roof of his home in Orlando, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, SEMA eNews decided to further spotlight his extensive experience, successes and drive to stay in the aftermarket industry.

Below is an interview with Hogan that was conducted in November 2016.

SEMA eNews: Are you seeking part-time or full-time work? What kind of company are you looking to work for?

Rick Hogan: I am looking for full-time, but would consider consulting for multiple companies each taking a portion of my time. Start-up to medium is where I thrive ($0 to $20 million). But depending on the company, I would be open to any opportunity.

SEMA eNews: How adept are you at using technology to communicate?

Hogan: I am a highly trained individual and technologically savvy. I strongly believe that I am equally efficient using technology, such as video conferencing, telephone, numerous software and via e-mail.

SEMA eNews: Why should a company hire you?

Hogan: I have experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales and marketing in every channel with contacts and relationships with vice presidents of purchasing, category managers and buyers at nearly all mass merchandisers, performance warehouses, traditional warehouse distributors and automotive retailers in the United States and Canada. I understand how to build teams, generate sales and create demand through marketing, editorials and advertising.  

SEMA eNews: Why do you want to work in the automotive industry?

Hogan: I have a passion for all things automotive and anything with an engine. This industry is my home, my friends, and all I know.

SEMA eNews: What kind of opportunity are you specifically seeking?

Hogan: I want to work as a consultant or direct employee, ideally with a small- to medium-sized company in sales and marketing. If I could pick a direct product, it would be in the performance segment of the aftermarket.

SEMA eNews: Please provide specific stats on your sales quotas at your current/previous jobs and the plan you used to meet the quotas.

Hogan: I have sold products from window handles, door knobs, fan belts, radiator hoses, import auto parts, seat covers, floor mats, decals and spark plugs. I have used my years of relationships and built trust with key accounts and buyers to sell and promote products. I utilized relationships with public-relations contacts and editors to secure editorials and help create demand for products.  

SEMA eNews: What challenges are you looking for in a position?

Hogan: I love to take unknown products or companies to the aftermarket. I enjoy the challenge of selling products that someone else could not do.

SEMA eNews: Describe the most difficult sales call you have made.

Hogan: Wow! In almost 35 years of selling it is hard to pinpoint one particular hard sale. One that comes to mind was selling E3 Spark Plugs to CSK, now owned by O’Reilly Auto Parts. I was so persistent, the buyer said he appreciated my enthusiasm and follow up but to please back off for a while. I sold him 60 days later. We are now friends.

SEMA eNews: How do you handle the negotiation phase?

Hogan: I love face-to-face, in-person sales calls or Skype. I like for the customer to feel I am an expert in my category, my product and always have the authority to say yes or no. I want enough information about costs and pricing to make a fair, long-lasting and profitable business relationship for both parties.

For more information, please email ameliaz@sema.org. To view Hogan’s résumé, visit LinkedIn.