By SEMA Editors

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger.

For the fifth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2017—whether they’re in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—SEMA News would like to hear from you.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2017 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2017.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They’re also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they’ll have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business successes, contributions to their organizations, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The current SEMA Board of Directors led by Chairman Doug Evans (front center).

The following is the slate of candidates vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Chair-elect Category (one open seat)

• Mitch Fogle, president and CEO, Lund International
• Tim Martin, vice president, K&N Engineering

Distributor/Retailer Category (one open seat)

• Greg Adler, CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Brian Lounsberry, CEO, Motovicity Distribution

Manufacturers Category (one open seat)

• James Lawrence, CEO, Power Automedia
• Shahriar “Nick” Niakan, president and CEO, Advanced Flow Engineering Inc. (aFe Power)
• Dennis Weese, president, LINE-X

Voting will take place online May 10–24, 2017, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning on April 28. Winners will be announced by May 30 and formally introduced at the SEMA Installation Gala July 28.

For more information about the 2017 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The current SEMA Board of Directors led by Chairman Doug Evans (front center).

The following is the slate of candidates vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Chair-elect Category (one open seat)

• Mitch Fogle, president and CEO, Lund International
• Tim Martin, vice president, K&N Engineering

Distributor/Retailer Category (one open seat)

• Greg Adler, CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Brian Lounsberry, CEO, Motovicity Distribution

Manufacturers Category (one open seat)

• James Lawrence, CEO, Power Automedia
• Shahriar “Nick” Niakan, president and CEO, Advanced Flow Engineering Inc. (aFe Power)
• Dennis Weese, president, LINE-X

Voting will take place online May 10–24, 2017, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details with ballots and links will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning on April 28. Winners will be announced by May 30 and formally introduced at the SEMA Installation Gala July 28.

For more information about the 2017 SEMA Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at 909-978-6671 or susana@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Collision Repair Instructor: VeriFacts Automotive is hiring experienced collision-repair techs to coach and train techs in its shops. Technical coaches are responsible for providing assistance to the shops in understanding, following and establishing proper repair processes and procedures, and training and mentoring auto-body technicians via in-shop demonstrations. Ideal candidates will have more than 10 years’ hands-on experience with collision repair and I-CAR or ASE certifications.

Inside Sales Associate: Artec Industries is hiring an inside sales associate to answer sales calls via phone/electronic/web and input orders/returns, answer technical questions regarding their product lines and assist will-call customers. The successful candidate will be able to work in a fast-paced environment and have exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and excellent telephone sales personality skills. Knowledge of suspension and building off-road vehicles is a plus.

Exhaust Test Technician: MagnaFlow is hiring an exhaust test technician with a working knowledge in testing, monitoring, assembling, improving and manipulating automotive exhaust systems for the purpose of developing, validating and certification. The test technician will interact with technical staff and other engineering groups to help define, document, analyze, perform and interpret tests for products, systems, components or modifications for automotive exhaust systems. The ideal candidate will have an associate’s degree in a science/technology-related field or trade school certificate or 2+ years’ experience with exhaust systems.

AP/Payroll Associate: TCI Engineering is hiring an AP/payroll associate responsible for invoice entry, invoice verification, invoice payment, vendor statement reconciliation, vendor qualification, time-card processing, credit memo verification, billing verification, spreadsheet creation/update and assisting in other accounting/HR/administrative functions.

Data Specialist: Turn 14 Distribution is hiring a data specialist responsible for confirming purchase orders, entering part numbers, updating pricing as needed, and investigating and resolving issues related to ordering, parts, inventory and pricing. The ideal candidate will have performance auto experience, ERP experience, outstanding customer service skills and an associate’s degree.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, April 13, 2017, Omix-ADA, Suwanee, Georgia

• ARMO Hot Products Showcase at Spring Carlisle, April 20–22, 2017, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

• ARMO Hot Products Showcase Mixer at Spring Carlisle, April 20, 2017, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

• Export University Series: Trade Finance for the Automotive/Performance Aftermarket Sector, April 27, 2017, Charles Mack Civic Center, Mooresville, North Carolina

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, May 9, 2017, Heidts, Lake Zurich, Illinois

• SEMA Washington Rally, May 17, 2017, Washington, D.C.

• 2017 SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Conference, May 23–27, 2017, Melbourne, Australia

• SEMA Virtual Career Fair, June 1, 2017, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT)

• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 19–20, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, July 11, 2017, Competition Specialties, Auburn, Washington

• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 14, 2017

• SEMA Installation Gala, July 28, 2017, Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center, Pomona, California

• 2017 SEMA China Business Development Program, September 6–10, 2017, Shanghai, China

• 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• 2017 PRI Trade Show, December 7–9, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Reserve your booth for the 2017 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, October 31–November 3.

Reserve your booth for the 2017 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, October 31–November 3.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 3053) to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways now awaits a vote by the full Senate.

Legislation (H.B. 3053) to eliminate the requirement that roof-mounted off-road light bars be covered when vehicles are operated on roads and highways was approved by the House and now awaits a vote by the full Senate. The bill also raises the number of permissible auxiliary passing lamps and auxiliary driving lamps from one to two. H.B. 3053 still requires that light bars be turned off when vehicles are being operated on roads and highways. 

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