By Steve McDonald
Legislation to provide for the issuance of a single rear-mounted license plate for motor vehicles that were originally equipped without a bracket, device or other means to display and secure a front license plate was introduced.
The bill will be considered by the Montana House Transportation Committee.
For more information, go to the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
By Steve McDonald
Legislation to provide for the issuance of a single rear-mounted license plate for motor vehicles that were originally equipped without a bracket, device or other means to display and secure a front license plate was introduced.
The bill will be considered by the Montana House Transportation Committee.
For more information, go to the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
By Steve McDonald
Legislation was introduced to reduce motor-vehicle excise tax rates by 10% each year beginning with the 2018 registration year until the rates reach half of the current rates in 2022 and subsequent years. Under the law, an excise tax is levied for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways.
For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
By Steve McDonald
Legislation was introduced to reduce motor-vehicle excise tax rates by 10% each year beginning with the 2018 registration year until the rates reach half of the current rates in 2022 and subsequent years. Under the law, an excise tax is levied for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways.
For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.
By Christian Robinson
 Join your fellow SEMA members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 17, to demonstrate to congressional lawmakers the importance and strength of the $39-billion specialty-equipment industry. |
Standing up for the RPM Act and your right to convert a street car into a racecar used exclusively at the track, pursuing a pro-growth and job-creation agenda, creating access to small-business loans and credit, finding affordable health insurance options for employees and combating counterfeit products. These are just a few of the issues facing SEMA members in the nation’s capital.
Join your fellow SEMA members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 17, to demonstrate to congressional lawmakers the importance and strength of the $39-billion specialty-equipment industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business. The SEMA Washington Rally is exclusively for SEMA members.
Scheduled events include:
To register or for more information, contact Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007, ext. 20 or christianr@sema.org.
By Amelia Zwecher
 Recruiters should host open houses, site tours and seminars to attract and evaluate qualified candidates. |
Matching top talent with careers and fulfilling organizational needs is the leading goal of the talent-acquisition industry. Recruiters can easily get stuck in the same routines and methods of recruiting, and opportunities can be missed in a complacent state of mind. It’s a good idea to continuously re-evaluate practices and strive to improve.
Here are some additional best practices to consider in an ever-changing job market:
1. Offer internships and co-ops: Students often fill 44% of openings within organizations where they’ve interned.
2. Ensure that you meet with hiring managers often to improve the job description. Use an in-take session form to make sure all questions are answered.
3. Utilize LinkedIn paid and/or unpaid features optimally. There are several steps to achieving this.
4. Conduct only structured interviews and maintain consistency for all candidates.
For more information, contact Amelia F. Zwecher, TAS, SEMA manager, career services, at ameliaz@sema.org.
View Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this recruitment tips series.
By SEMA Data Co-op
The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has announced the completion of its updates to the recently released industry-standard PIES version 6.7, and is now offering fully compliant import and export formats to its members.
“Complimentary to our growing suite of data toolsets, this latest PIES release from the Auto Care Association features many useful changes, including more robust interchange and kits segments, item-level marketing features and benefits, additional digital assets fields that are especially useful for 360 images, and a new digital asset description segment,” said Stephanie Jones, SDC director of eBusiness.
Craig Schmutzler, SDC vice president of operations asks, “Are you ready to move to the industry’s newest PIES release? Manufacturers, retailers, distributors and resellers all can take advantage of this new format. We have completed a detailed integration of the new standards features into our Product Information Management System (PIMS), and those capabilities are now available to all SDC members."
The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated project designed to bring full product-data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry standards-based centralized data repository, extensive on-boarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance, and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports.
For more information about the PIES 6.7 release, contact the SDC Data Lab at 888-958-6698, ext. 40. To learn more about how to join the SDC, visit www.semadatacoop.org, contact Allen Horwitz at allenh@semadatacoop.org or call 888-958-6698, ext. 9.
By SEMA Data Co-op
The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has announced the completion of its updates to the recently released industry-standard PIES version 6.7, and is now offering fully compliant import and export formats to its members.
“Complimentary to our growing suite of data toolsets, this latest PIES release from the Auto Care Association features many useful changes, including more robust interchange and kits segments, item-level marketing features and benefits, additional digital assets fields that are especially useful for 360 images, and a new digital asset description segment,” said Stephanie Jones, SDC director of eBusiness.
Craig Schmutzler, SDC vice president of operations asks, “Are you ready to move to the industry’s newest PIES release? Manufacturers, retailers, distributors and resellers all can take advantage of this new format. We have completed a detailed integration of the new standards features into our Product Information Management System (PIMS), and those capabilities are now available to all SDC members."
The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and -operated project designed to bring full product-data management capabilities to participating suppliers at the lowest possible cost. Features include a secure, industry standards-based centralized data repository, extensive on-boarding tools, expert live training and technical assistance, and unlimited standard or fully customized data exports.
For more information about the PIES 6.7 release, contact the SDC Data Lab at 888-958-6698, ext. 40. To learn more about how to join the SDC, visit www.semadatacoop.org, contact Allen Horwitz at allenh@semadatacoop.org or call 888-958-6698, ext. 9.
The following announcement from the Best in the Desert Racing Association is available at http://bitd.com.
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With a sad heart, Best in the Desert announces the passing of our leader, Casey Folks, on January 12, 2017. Casey suffered a massive stroke on the morning of January 7 in Parker, Arizona. He was doing what he loved, living his passion for off-road racing, getting ready to drop the flag on the latest UTV race event. He was rushed to a hospital and transported by air to Las Vegas for care. Despite efforts by the best doctors in Las Vegas, Casey succumbed to the effects of the stroke five days later.
Casey lived a life most of us only dream about. He was a participant, promoter and friend to the off-road racing industry. An ardent competitor, Casey raced motorcycles between the ages of 21 and 45. He won 16 championships in his career and in 1980 was the first to Ironman the Baja 1000 and finish. He was the only person to finish every Barstow to Vegas race.
In 1968, Casey opened Sportsman Cycle Sales with his racing partner and friend, Tom Scales. The dealership opened as a Husqvarna dealer with only two motorcycles. One was Casey's race bike and the other was Tom's race bike. Many stories were told Monday mornings after a race about Casey and his Chippewa Charley's (boots) moving another competitor out of the way. Casey didn't gain many friends by this but it sure created a buzz about the guy from Sportsman Cycle. Over the next few decades, Sportsman Cycle grew into the premier motorcycle racing shop in Las Vegas. Through Casey's guidance and support, Sportsman Cycle birthed and nurtured many racers who went on to have very successful racing careers. In 1988, Casey passed the baton to his oldest son Daryl so he could focus on his next passion in life: the Best in the Desert Racing Association.
He started Best in the Desert in 1984 for motorcycles. Then he introduced the “Vegas to Reno” race in March of 1996, adding for the first time cars, trucks and quads to his races. Due to Casey’s drive and strengths, Best in the Desert grew into North America’s largest and most prestigious off-road racing organization, aptly named “The American Off-Road Racing Series.”
Casey competed in almost every type of off-road event throughout the Western United States. His portfolio included over 30 races in Baja, Mexico, and the Tunisia Rally in Northern Africa. He served as the American Consultant for the Incas Rally in Peru and was the event coordinator for the Nevada Rally, representing the company “Acerbis Adventure,” based in Italy.
Casey was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2012, joining the ranks of off-road racing’s greatest legends and honored by off-road racers worldwide.
His many friends at the Bureau of Land Management had respect and trust in Casey’s judgment and stated that Casey’s high standards established the rules for safety in off-road desert racing.
He is survived by the love of his life, Diane DeLauer, son Daryl Folks and daughter-in-law Sheri Folks, his son Bryan Folks, his sister Joan Ragona-Suarez, and three beautiful granddaughters, Adrianna, Morgan and Marlee.
Casey created memorable moments for thousands and thousands of people. We thank him for a lifetime of dedication to the sport we all love. As life goes on, and we continue to experience the passion of off-road racing, his legacy will live on. Remember the words he lived by: “Life is an adventure. Come live your adventure with Best in the Desert.” Casey’s life was truly an adventure, and we will always treasure our memories of him.
By SEMA Editors
Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Adds George Afremow and Michael S. Coccio to Board
 George Afremow |  Michael S. Coccio | |
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the addition of George Afremow and Michael S. Coccio to its Board of Directors.
Afremow is SEMA’s vice president, chief financial officer, and brings a cross-functional background to his AACF Board duties. In his role as VP/CFO, Afremow is responsible for overseeing day-to-day accounting, HR and administrative activities for SEMA.
Prior to joining SEMA, Afremow was the Southern California practice leader of Business Performance Improvement initiatives for Grant Thornton LLP, the 5th largest public accounting and consulting firm. His areas of expertise include finance function transformation, operational efficiency enhancement, streamlining and automating accounting, finance and operational processes. He is also a board member and president of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Beach Cities Chapter.
Coccio is Manager, Strategic National Accounts at AutoZone. During his 15 years with AutoZone, Coccio has worked on the commercial side of the business, developing their national accounts portfolio. Coccio's extensive experience in the automotive aftermarket and his deep understanding of the business-to-business as well as retail sectors extends beyond his time at AutoZone. Prior to joining AutoZone, he was the principal owner of an automotive warehouse distribution and retail auto parts store network. He started his career in the manufacturers representative agency business, working his way through the organization to become the principal owner while representing some of the largest manufacturers in the automotive aftermarket.
Drake Automotive Names Keith Belair New CEO
 Keith Belair |
Drake Automotive Group LLC announced that Keith Belair has joined the company as its new president and CEO. Belair joins Drake Automotive Group after spending eight years at Shelby American, where he helped guide company growth and expansion, most recently as COO. Prior to working at Shelby American, Belair gained valuable experience with several companies and private equity groups focused on growth through acquisitions.
As CEO, Belair will provide strategic direction to the Drake executive team and oversee the day-to-day operations. He will also be actively engaged in seeking future acquisitions.
Iconic 1936 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Wins Arizona Concours d’Elegance Best of Show
One of the world’s most famous automobiles, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, won Best of Show honors at the fourth annual Arizona Concours d’Elegance at the Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix.
 This '36 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic won Best of Show honors at the fourth annual Arizona Concours d’Elegance at the Arizona Biltmore resort. |
The magnificent handbuilt car is owned by Peter and Merle Mullin and Rob and Melani Walton. The car usually is housed at the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, but had been on loan to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it has been part of a special display.
Ninety cars were arrayed on the show field for the Arizona Concours d’Elegance, divided into 17 classes. The cars judged to be the best in each class were rejudged to determine Best of Show. Four class winners emerged as finalists for the event’s highest accolades.
In addition to the Bugatti Atlantic, they were: a '37 Lagonda LG45 Rapide sport tourer, one of only 25 Rapides ever built, owned by the Stephens family of San Francisco; a '55 Ferrari 250 Europa coupe with coachwork by Vignale; and a '33 Marmon V16 convertible coupe, owned by Aaron and Valerie Weiss of San Marino, California.
Net proceeds from the nationally recognized Arizona Concours d’Elegance, as well as generous donations from participants and spectators, benefit Make-A-Wish Arizona, the founding chapter of the international organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Rev’n Launches on WHNE in Detroit
Luken Communications LLC and Tait Broadcasting LLC have joined forces to bring Rev’n to Motor City. Viewers can now find Rev’n over-the-air on WHNE channel 14.6 in Detroit (DMA 13). Rev’n joins its sister network, Retro TV, which can be found on WHNE channel 14.2.
Rev’n, a network geared toward the performance enthusiast, officially launched on December 1, 2014. With proven automotive content such as "The Appraisers," "Stacey David’s GearZ," "Two Guys Garage," "Truck U," "Sam’s Garage," "My Classic Car" and "World of Collector Cars," Rev'n is a hit with fans and advertisers alike.
Roadwire Raises $40,000 to Feed 130,000 Hurricane Matthew Victims
In keeping with its mission to bridge the gap between the resources of business and service to humanity, Roadwire Inc. announced that Roadwire Cares—a 501c3 nonprofit entity established to provide humanitarian aid—successfully raised $40,000 to help Haitian victims devastated by Hurricane Matthew.
The project—funded in part by contributions from customers, suppliers and employees who raised $10,000—was matched by a $10,000 contribution from Roadwire Cares. These funds, in turn, were gifted to Mission of Hope in Haiti, which then matched the fundraising effort with an additional $20,000. The resulting $40,000 donation was used to feed more than 130,000 children affected by the hurricane.
The faith-based initiative is at the core of Roadwire Inc.’s philanthropic commitment to dedicate 10% of its organizational profits to support humanitarian outreach. In addition to the recent fundraising efforts, Roadwire has provided funding and other in-kind resources in Haiti. This includes donating unused leather and industrial sewing machinery to Three Cords, which employs women with disabilities who sew handbags and other products, and whose profits support the island’s only prosthetics lab.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Names Deval Joshi Senior Program Manager
 Deval Joshi |
VIPAR Heavy Duty has appointed Deval Joshi as its new senior program manager. Joshi will report to Larry Griffin, director of program management, and will be responsible for developing industry-leading supplier programs with VIPAR Heavy Duty and its family of companies.
Joshi brings 14 years of experience in strategic global purchasing, engineering and management to his new role. He has more than eight years of experience in several roles with Navistar, including sourcing and procurement for the company’s parts procurement group and production purchasing group. In addition, Joshi was the director of global procurement at Milton Industries.
Yokohama Tire Corp. Names Jeff Barna as COO
Yokohama Tire Corp. announced that Jeff Barna joined the company as chief operating officer. Barna will report to Yokohama Tire Corp.’s Shinichi Takimoto, and will have responsibility for sales, marketing and product planning. Barna will also be on YTC’s executive committee.
Prior to Yokohama, Barna was successful in management, sales and logistics positions, most recently at Nilfisk-Advance Inc., an international company in the professional cleaning products and service industry. Previous to that, he was with Exide Technologies, a global battery manufacturer. Barna began his career at Tenneco Automotive selling Monroe shock absorbers to dealers and retail stores in the metropolitan New York market.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.