By SEMA Editors

Allan Keefe

SEMA’s councils and membership department welcomes Allan Keefe as their new senior manager of councils. Keefe will serve as the council liaison for the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). Keefe’s role will be to facilitate the Select Committee and general membership meetings and to move SEMA resources to reach the initiatives of his councils.

Keefe comes to SEMA with a background in management and special events. “Being a part of something much larger than myself that puts forth so much effort to improve the working lives of others is the reason that I knew SEMA was the perfect fit for me,” Keefe said.

When he is not in the office, he is more than likely found on the golf course or spending quality time with his wife Kimberly. Since he shares a first name with his father Allan Sr., he is commonly referred to as AJ to avoid any confusion. As a kid, he collected all different types of model Dodge Vipers even though his grandfather made him well aware that he belonged to a “Ford Family.” A Southern California native, Keefe has also spent time in Hawaii and the Carolinas for school, and loves to travel.

He can be contacted at 909-978-6696 or allank@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Allan Keefe

SEMA’s councils and membership department welcomes Allan Keefe as their new senior manager of councils. Keefe will serve as the council liaison for the Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA), Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) and the Wheel & Tire Council (WTC). Keefe’s role will be to facilitate the Select Committee and general membership meetings and to move SEMA resources to reach the initiatives of his councils.

Keefe comes to SEMA with a background in management and special events. “Being a part of something much larger than myself that puts forth so much effort to improve the working lives of others is the reason that I knew SEMA was the perfect fit for me,” Keefe said.

When he is not in the office, he is more than likely found on the golf course or spending quality time with his wife Kimberly. Since he shares a first name with his father Allan Sr., he is commonly referred to as AJ to avoid any confusion. As a kid, he collected all different types of model Dodge Vipers even though his grandfather made him well aware that he belonged to a “Ford Family.” A Southern California native, Keefe has also spent time in Hawaii and the Carolinas for school, and loves to travel.

He can be contacted at 909-978-6696 or allank@sema.org.

By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By Jason Catullo

Pictured here is Mark Heffington (middle) during the 2012 SEMA Installation Banquet. He is flanked by Paul “Scooter” Brothers of COMP Performance Group (left) and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

Mark Heffington, founder and president of Hypertech Inc., passed away April 23. He was 74.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee and beginning his career as chief designer for Crane Cams, Heffington sharpened his skills designing camshafts, as well as diagnosing and solving cam-related problems. In 1972, he founded Cam Dynamics, which quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts. Heffington sold the company in the early ’80s and began consulting on camshaft design and engineering for United Technologies and General Motors. 

Mark Heffington founded Cam Dynamics in 1972, and the company quickly became a major manufacturer of high-performance and racing camshafts.

During the mid-’80s, Heffington witnessed the emergence of computer-controlled engines on race cars. Realizing this could have a major impact on performance tuning and racing, Heffington founded Hypertech Inc. in 1985. He worked with engineers to help with computer programs and reverse engineer codes to develop aftermarket onboard computer reprogramming devices.

Through Hypertech Inc., Heffington pioneered automotive aftermarket tuning with the invention of the “Power Chip,” which was used to recalibrate early automotive computers that used replaceable “chips” in their electronic control modules.

Heffington was recognized for his contributions to the performance tuning market through inductions in the Hot Rod Hall of Fame in 1997, and the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2012.

The family will hold a private service with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Contributions to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made in memory of Mark Heffington.

To learn more about Heffington, read “Lifetime Achievers” in SEMA News.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff  

The Tennessee Legislature approved legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars.

Legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption for new cars was approved by the Tennessee Legislature. Under the bill, all vehicles three years old and newer would be excused regardless of mileage. Current law only exempts new motor vehicles being registered for the first time or one year from initial registration. The bill will now be sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.