Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Bob Van Gorkom |
Power Stop LLC Appoints Bob Van Gorkom Vice President of Business Development
Power Stop LLC has named Bob Van Gorkom to the new position of vice president of business development, where he will be responsible for accelerating the growth of new distribution partners throughout the North American and Canadian markets. Van Gorkom will work closely with the sales and marketing team in targeting new potential channel partners to better serve installers. Van Gorkom has spent the last 34 years in the automotive industry, starting as a parts driver at an early age. He joins Power Stop from AIT/TrakMotive, where he served as vice president of sales and marketing for the past five years. Prior to this, he was vice president of sales and marketing at Hytec Automotive. Van Gorkom worked for nearly 10 years as the Autospecialty midwest regional sales manager covering a 22-state market area in the early stages of his automotive career. His office will be located at Power Stop’s main corporate headquarters in Bedford Park, Illinois.
 Lloyd Hunt |
FiTech Names Lloyd Hunt Sales and Marketing Manager
FiTech has announced that Lloyd Hunt has joined the company in the position of sales and marketing manager. In this newly created role, Hunt, a veteran of the automotive aftermarket, will oversee FiTech’s sales and marketing efforts and collaborate with FiTech’s leadership team on the company’s strategic plans. Hunt joins FiTech after 10 years at Power Automedia, where he was the business development director.
Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Launches Champion Donor Program
 The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has launched an elite donor partner program called the AACF Champion program. |
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has launched an elite donor partner program called the AACF Champion program.
“AACF Champions are generous, big-hearted aftermarket brands and individuals that have committed to supporting aftermarket families with a donation of $25,000 or more,” said Joel Ayres, AACF executive director. “And, we simply can't thank them enough.”
Current AACF Champion partners include SEMA, Auto Care Association, AASA/MEMA, The Group (Pronto/Federated), Standard Motor Products, and Don Smith.
“AACF Champions help us maintain emergency funding,” Ayres continued. “This vital funding helps put the tough times in the rearview mirror for aftermarket employees that face catastrophic illness, injury, accident or disaster that insurance or savings don’t cover.”
Contact Joel Ayres to learn more about the AACF Champion program by calling 916-628-0271. To apply for help, visit http://bit.ly/AACF-get-help.
“Horsepower Wars” $10K Drag Shootout: Top Five Applicants Released
Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” production team has officially finalized the top five participants for its $10K Drag Shootout. The two following teams have been chosen by “Horsepower Wars” staff to be guaranteed admittance into the $10K Drag Shootout competition.
- “Disco Dean” Karns & Stinky Pinky Racing of Fairborn, Ohio: Dean Karns Sr., Dan Davies, Brian Sorells and Jimmy Bowling.
- Russ Wullenwaber & Team Boddie/Dow Brothers Racecars of Los Banos, California: Jay Boddie, Cole Dow, Ben Boylan Jr., Cody Dow and Nick Stewart.
Three remaining teams will be reviewed by a panel of drag-racing experts from across the country. After a voting process, the final third team will be determined and announced to the public. The final three teams will then join the fourth, COMP Cams Dream Team, and the Horsepower Wars staff in Southern California, where they will be given $10,000 to buy, build and race a drag car in 10 days. The score will be settled at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, in September, where the winning team of the final race will not only win their vehicle, but also $10,000 cash.
 Bradley Roy |
Covercraft and Bradley Roy Announce Partnership
Covercraft has announced a partnership with Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bradley Roy. The nine-year pro from Lancaster, Kentucky, is currently leading the Angler of the Year points race. Roy was first introduced to Covercraft through his camouflage sponsor Prym1. Covercraft licensed their patterns, and last year sent Roy two sets of fully custom seat covers for his tow vehicle and hunting truck. Covercraft will immediately join Roy’s current sponsors helping him give back to his community.
 NGK’s general manager of the GM account Toshio Lewis (left) and Vice President of OE Kent Howard (right). |
GM Awards NGK Spark Plugs Supplier of the Year for 10th Time
NGK Spark Plugs Inc. was named a Supplier of the Year by General Motors for the 10th time during GM’s 26th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony, held April 20, in Orlando, Florida. GM recognized 132 of its best suppliers from 17 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or brought new innovations to the company. The award builds upon NGK’s decades-long partnership with GM, as an original-equipment supplier of both ignition and emissions parts. Award winners represent companies who provide products and services to General Motors in the areas of vehicle components, supply chain and logistics, customer care and aftersales, and indirect services.
Motorsport Aftermarket Group Announces Key Promotion to Leadership Team
Rob Ramlose has been promoted to director of brands for Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG), where he will oversee product and marketing teams for all brands in the portfolio, including Roland Sands Design Apparel, Answer Racing, Speed & Strength, Firstgear and Black Brand. In his prior role as brand manager for RSD Apparel, Ramlose elevated the overall marketing of the brand while managing the product creation process and strategy. He has been involved with brand management functions in various capacities for the past 17 years with key brands, such as Oakley and Fox Racing.
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