Rich Barsamian of Advanced Clutch Technology was named 2014 SEMA Person of the Year.
	Blake Fuller of Braille Battery won SEMA’s 2014 GEN-III Innovator Award.
	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

By Lindsay Bianco

Nominations for all of SEMA’s 2015 Industry Awards—Person of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year, WD of the Year—are due next week, Friday, July 10.

All SEMA members are invited to nominate the companies and individuals that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for all awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. Questions? Contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

Read on for more information about the awards that will be presented at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Person of the Year: The SEMA Person of the Year Award was established in 1969 to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to the association and the automotive aftermarket as a whole. During the selection process, the task force takes into consideration the nominees’ service beyond their normal job function over the past year. Full criteria is available on the SEMA Awards webpage, along with a listing of past honorees. In order to assist the Person of the Year Task Force in making its selection, a brief statement, including the nominee’s accomplishments, is required at the time of submission.

Gen-III Innovator of the Year: SEMA is also seeking nominations to recognize young innovators who exhibit the same pioneering spirit as the original industry founders, and whose work is changing the way the automotive aftermarket does business. He or she may have been the first to act on a new trend, invented an original product or devised and implemented ideas that better suit the current marketplace. Qualifying nominees must be younger than 40 as of December 31, 2015. For more details about the criteria and to nominate, visit www.sema.org/innovator.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

More information on the 2015 SEMA Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com. 

	NHRA’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford, has been promoted to NHRA president.

By The NHRA

The National Hot Rod Association announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president.

Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.

Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.

“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”

“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”

As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned racetracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service, and human resources.

A member of the NHRA board of directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting, and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide, and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.

Gardner also thanked Compton today for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.

“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth, and success.”

“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”

“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships, and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys makes this decision a difficult one.

“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”

	NHRA’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford, has been promoted to NHRA president.

By The NHRA

The National Hot Rod Association announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president.

Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.

Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.

“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”

“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”

As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned racetracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service, and human resources.

A member of the NHRA board of directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting, and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide, and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.

Gardner also thanked Compton today for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.

“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth, and success.”

“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”

“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships, and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys makes this decision a difficult one.

“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”

	NHRA’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford, has been promoted to NHRA president.

By The NHRA

The National Hot Rod Association announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president.

Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.

Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.

“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”

“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”

As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned racetracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service, and human resources.

A member of the NHRA board of directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting, and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide, and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.

Gardner also thanked Compton today for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.

“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth, and success.”

“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”

“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships, and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys makes this decision a difficult one.

“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”

	NHRA’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, Peter Clifford, has been promoted to NHRA president.

By The NHRA

The National Hot Rod Association announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president.

Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.

Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.

“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”

“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”

As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned racetracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service, and human resources.

A member of the NHRA board of directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting, and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide, and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.

Gardner also thanked Compton today for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.

“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth, and success.”

“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”

“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships, and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys makes this decision a difficult one.

“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”