FROM MIKE SPAGNOLA
Working Toward a Cleaner Future That Works for Everybody
By Mike Spagnola, SEMA President and CEO
Some of the association's activities are immediately visible, tangible efforts—events such as the annual SEMA Show. Other long-range investments and initiatives unfold over longer time frames and across multiple leadership changes. These might be harder to discern, but they are no less significant.
Among those initiatives would be the work the association is doing to help companies achieve compliance with federal, state and local emissions as regulations. The work is ongoing across multiple fronts, including emissions certification, alternative propulsion development, and policy advocacy.
SEMA Garage emissions labs enable members to develop products that function properly without compromising a vehicle's emissions status, and to demonstrate compliance more cheaply and quickly than most outside labs. Both facilities—located in Diamond Bar, California and Plymouth, Michigan—are staffed by technicians using state-of-the-art test equipment capable of replicating the specific test procedures required by the EPA and California regulators.
Along with helping members through the process of obtaining a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO), the garages can conduct "SEMA Certified-Emissions" testing that meets EPA "reasonable basis" tampering policy criteria. The SEMA Certified-Emissions testing process has been ramping up since January 2022, offering an accelerated path to compliance with federal regulations and allowing products to be legally sold in 49 states prior to, or in place of, receiving the CARB EO. In most cases, test data gathered in the SEMA Certified process can also be used for obtaining a CARB EO that would make it legal in all 50 states. Importantly, SEMA Certified testing also creates a path to compliance for products that fall outside of currently existing CARB test procedures, such as air intakes with carbon traps, or flex-fuel systems.
On another front, the association is working to facilitate the advancement of companies offering zero-emissions propulsion systems. Currently there is concentrated activity around electric vehicles, but the goal is to support alternative powertrain technologies across the spectrum, including EV, hybrid, fuel cell hydrogen, and alternative fuels for internal combustion engines.
Most recently, SEMA has worked with companies that have developed EV conversion kits to make regulators aware that converting a vehicle to electric propulsion should not be hindered, but rewarded. Last February a SEMA-sponsored bill was introduced to create a financial rebate program for converting gas- and diesel-powered motor vehicles into zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). The legislation, which will have to progress through multiple committees before passage, would make a rebate available to those who make this conversion. ZEV conversions, a rapidly growing market, preserve California's diverse and deep-rooted car culture while helping the state meet its ambitious climate goals.
This legislation also creates a level playing field by including a rebate for converted vehicles and not just for new EV purchases that are often out of financial reach for many Californians.
It was more than a decade ago that SEMA leaders made investments to help member companies solve challenges associated with emissions regulations. They knew it would take years for those investments to pay off—and that progress might be difficult to discern at first. But today, those initiatives are making a tangible difference. World-class SEMA Garage facilities now offer the industry pathways toward a cleaner future that works for everybody. To find out about how to tap into garage programs, visit semagarage.com.
announced a full event schedule for the 2023 Mustang Week, which returns September 4-9 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 
Sunnen Products Company its Official Honing Equipment Partner while the team pursues its record-extending 15th NASCAR Cup Series championship. 
Each vehicle accepted will also be featured in the SEMA Show app displaying the vehicle's image, make, model, year, color, products used as part of the build, builder's name and the name and booth number of the sponsoring exhibitor company.
SUV/light truck and winter tire technology--has announced Roadian HTX 2 has received the main award in the product design category of the iF Design Awards 2023 in Germany.
Charlotte, North Carolina, has appointed Gary W. Ferrera as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Ferrera will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Fitzpatrick and succeeds Tiffany Mason.
, the late Steve Ames began drag racing after earning an engineering degree from Columbia University. He started in the parts business by traveling along the East Coast buying New Old Stock (NOS) parts. In 1976, he noticed that Pontiac parts were in particularly high demand and began focusing exclusively on such products. As business continued, Ames realized that demand for restoration parts outweighed that of NOS parts and launched Ames Performance Engineering. He expanded with other companies within the restoration industry, providing much-needed products for growing markets and became an authoritative voice in the classic car industry. Ames is one of the original founders of SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), was named ARMO's Person of the Year in 2007 and is a recipient of the ARMO Lifetime Achievement Award. Ames passed away in December 2020.
respected sales reps. As a teenager, he was the first-ever service rep for the Mr. Phone/Mr. Gasket organization. He continued his career playing a key role in the founding and growth of Bob Barker Marketing & Sales and in much of the success at the multi-award-winning company Kunzman & Associates. An active member and supporter of the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC), Iannotte advocated for and became one of the first certified professional manufacturers' reps (CPMR) and pushed for standards throughout the industry. He served numerous terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, where he worked to shape legislative issues involving manufacturing tax relief, pushed for industry data standards, supported philanthropic activities, and promoted ongoing education and training throughout the industry. Iannotte continues to serve as a sales rep for Kunzman & Associates, as well as volunteer his time and expertise to many industry initiatives.
SEMA Chairman of the Board. As such, he introduced lean concepts to SEMA and expanded the association's global influence by founding the SEMA International Task Force to connect SEMA members with international business opportunities. He also served on the Joint Operating Committee, providing oversight to the SEMA Show and its partner show, AAPEX. He was a charter member of the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) and personally lobbied members of Congress on important industry issues. Williams founded the SEMA Lighting Task Force at a time when National Highway Traffic Safety Association was targeting lighting companies. In addition to nearly 20 years with Hella, Williams held executive positions with Original One Auto Parts, Restoration Parts Unlimited, APR, Dinan Corp., Xstream Trucking, StopTech and recently joined Rigid Industries as its president.