FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2016

Contact: Della Domingo
909-978-6723
dellad@sema.org

2016 SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Award Winners Announced

Diamond Bar, CA (August 3, 2016) -- The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded $168,000 to 61 individuals this year. This includes 50 SEMA scholarships presented to current students, and 11 loan-forgiveness awards presented to employees of SEMA-member companies.

Recipients of these scholarships are currently pursuing degrees in Accounting, Automotive Aftermarket, Automotive Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Business Management, Chemical Engineering, Computer & Information Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Graphic Design, Hospitality Industry, Industrial Arts, Industrial Engineering & Design, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Multimedia Journalism, Petroleum Engineering and Sports Management.

More than $2.1 million has been awarded to over 1,200 deserving students since the program's establishment in 1984. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program are dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators by helping them get off to a successful start in their education and automotive aftermarket career.

The online application for next year's awards will be accepted November 1, 2016 through March 1, 2017 at www.sema.org/scholarships.

For questions or additional information, please contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA Education Manager, at 909.978.6655 or email julietm@SEMA.org.

2016 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Award Winners

Top Student Award:

Austin Hiebert, McPherson College
Top Student and Jeff Moses-Automotive Restoration Market Organization-ARMO Award 

• Steve Alexander III, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• David Beahr, West Virginia University
• Matthew Bisbee, Lake Superior College
• Joshua Bowman, Pennsylvania State University — Joe Amato Award
• Michael Bowyer, University of Michigan-Dearborn 
• Skyler Brungardt, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 
• Brenden Bungert, University of Minnesota Duluth — Professional Restylers Organization-PRO Award
• Spencer Clark, University of Wisconsin-Madison     
• Gregory Cooke, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Ernesto Covarrubias, California State University, Los Angeles — K&N Engineering Award
• Benjamin Curtis, Clemson University — Wheel & Tire Council-WTC Award
• Luis de Casenave, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez  
• Nicholas D'Orazio, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Austin Ellis, Colorado School of Mines — Emerging Trends & Technology Network-ETTN Award
• Dalton Ellis, Aims Community College
• Logan Farmer, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Matt Fuka, University of North Dakota
• Lael Gobble, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Austin Heinzerling, University of Iowa — Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council-MPMC Award
• Ryan Henderson, Pennsylvania State University
• Benjamin Hoertnagl-Pereira, John Hopkins University
• Josey Hrbek, Kettering University
• Almambet Iskakov, Georgia Institute of Technology — Bernie Karp Award
• Arnav Jain, The University of Texas at Austin
• Alyssa Kawasaki, California State University, Long Beach — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Conner Knepley, Western Michigan University
• Caleb Knotts, University of Northwestern Ohio — Joe Hrudka Award
• Daniel Konzelman, Northwest University
• Alyson Kuch, Spring Arbor University
• Adam Lecznar, Kettering University
• Brian Leung, San Diego City College & University of California, San Diego — Louis L. Borick Award
• Charles Mancino, Kettering University
• Gabrielle May, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• Ian Mckibben, Savannah College of Art and Design
• Summer Miller, Brookhaven College — Leo Kagan and SEMA Businesswomen's Network-SBN Award
• John Napa, College of Southern Nevada — Melvin Burton Award
• Jeremy Peterson, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Suong Pham, University of Houston
• Trevor Sheehan, Sr., University of Northwestern Ohio — Dan Borre Award
• Samuel Shelhoss, Clemson University — Nat Danas Award
• Sarah Spoto, University of Rochester — Mike Kunzman & Manufacturers Representative Network-MRN Award
• Spencer Steele, Bradley University — Steve Woomer Award
• Austyn Sullivan-Watson, University of Idaho — John Menzler and Hot Rod Industry Alliance-HRIA Award
• Brian Tea, The University of Texas at Austin
• Alex Van Nest, Clemson University
• Cora Veltman, Valparaiso University — Wally Parks Award
• Chase Wilderman, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Adreenah Wynn, University of Florida
• Bryan Yap, California State University, Long Beach — Thurston Warn Award

2016 SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

• Danielle Campbell, WeatherTech — Trudy Thompson Award
• Edward Carter, Motor State Distributing      
• Daniel Dokter, General Motors
• Tate Emerson, A.R.E. Accessories — Harlan Felder and Truck and Off-Road Alliance-TORA Award
• Collin Gentry, Meyer Distributing — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Robert Haynes, Holley Performance Products — Young Executives Network-YEN Award
• Robert Martin, Motor State Distributing — Jim A. Borre Award
• Traci Nigon, QA1 Precision Products — Performance Warehouse Association-PWA Award
• Michael Robins, Ford Performance Parts      
• Angel Scharklet, Holley Performance Products
• Heather Wilson, Kahn Media — John Raffa Award

About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $39.2 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,633 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909-610-2030, or visit www.sema.org.

More than 140 SEMA members and non-members attended the July 13 Town Hall Meeting at Roush Automotive museum in Livonia, MI. Members had the chance to take a tour of the museum, network with local industry leaders, and be a part of facilitated discussion with SEMA’s CEO and president, Chris Kersting.

Main topics covered during the discussion included:

• EPA Regulation/ RPM Act
• SEMA Garage
• SEMA Data Co-Op
• VIO: Vehicles in Operations

Chris spoke about the ongoing efforts to combat the EPA’s proposed motorsports regulations which will prohibit vehicles from being modified for racing and performance. Chris reviewed that while over 160,000+ supporters have signed the petition, the next step to keep the motorsports industry thriving is to visit www.SEMA.org/rpm to let your congressmen know where you stand on the issue.

Mike Spagnola, VP of the SEMA Garage, spoke about new resources the garage offers to help members through the E.O. application process. SEMA recently brought on emissions lab manager Peter Treydte, who can help guide members through the long process of E.O. certification. He has helped some members go through the process within 24 hours. Get to know your SEMA Garage benefits and programs by visiting www.semagarage.com.

SEMA Data Co-Op was another topic of discussion. Jim Graven, Director of Membership gave a recap of how SEMA Data Co-Op can help both Manufacturers and Retailers by managing and providing clean product data to better sell and market products. Learn more by visiting: www.semadatacoop.org. 

Also addressed during the discussion was one of SEMA’s newest benefits Vehicles in Operation which our Director of Market Research, Gavin Knapp addressed and highlighted that the data is free to SEMA members, they just need to fill out an inquiry found at www.SEMA.org/VIO.

Thank you again to our gracious hosts at Yakima Products Inc. for hosting the 3^rd Town Hall Meeting of 2016. If you want to learn more about SEMA’s Town Halls contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or email at andreac@SEMA.org.

More than 140 SEMA members and non-members attended the July 13 Town Hall Meeting at Roush Automotive museum in Livonia, MI. Members had the chance to take a tour of the museum, network with local industry leaders, and be a part of facilitated discussion with SEMA’s CEO and president, Chris Kersting.

Main topics covered during the discussion included:

• EPA Regulation/ RPM Act
• SEMA Garage
• SEMA Data Co-Op
• VIO: Vehicles in Operations

Chris spoke about the ongoing efforts to combat the EPA’s proposed motorsports regulations which will prohibit vehicles from being modified for racing and performance. Chris reviewed that while over 160,000+ supporters have signed the petition, the next step to keep the motorsports industry thriving is to visit www.SEMA.org/rpm to let your congressmen know where you stand on the issue.

Mike Spagnola, VP of the SEMA Garage, spoke about new resources the garage offers to help members through the E.O. application process. SEMA recently brought on emissions lab manager Peter Treydte, who can help guide members through the long process of E.O. certification. He has helped some members go through the process within 24 hours. Get to know your SEMA Garage benefits and programs by visiting www.semagarage.com.

SEMA Data Co-Op was another topic of discussion. Jim Graven, Director of Membership gave a recap of how SEMA Data Co-Op can help both Manufacturers and Retailers by managing and providing clean product data to better sell and market products. Learn more by visiting: www.semadatacoop.org. 

Also addressed during the discussion was one of SEMA’s newest benefits Vehicles in Operation which our Director of Market Research, Gavin Knapp addressed and highlighted that the data is free to SEMA members, they just need to fill out an inquiry found at www.SEMA.org/VIO.

Thank you again to our gracious hosts at Yakima Products Inc. for hosting the 3^rd Town Hall Meeting of 2016. If you want to learn more about SEMA’s Town Halls contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or email at andreac@SEMA.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, e-mail your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the e-mail.

• American Autowire
• AM Hot Rod Glass
• Bed Wood and Parts LLC
• Camaro Central
• Championship Auto Shows
• Classic Instruments
• COMP Performance Group
• Fairchild Industries Inc.
• Goodguys Enterprises
• H&H Classic Parts
• Hydro-E-Lectric Inc.
• InGear Media
• JM Weimann’s Interiors
• Lokar Inc.
• Montco Inc./Repops
• Motor State Distributing
• Performance Plus Connection
• RideTech/Air Ride Technologies
• Ron Francis Wiring
• SoffSeal Inc.
• Steele Rubber Products
• The Enthusiast Network (TEN)
• The Stop Shop
• TrimParts Inc.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Kordell Norton of Synergy Solutions explains why teaching a sales force the skills needed to empathize with customers will build a connection that is the cornerstone needed to create a solid base of returning, satisfied consumers.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Kordell Norton of Synergy Solutions explains why teaching a sales force the skills needed to empathize with customers will build a connection that is the cornerstone needed to create a solid base of returning, satisfied consumers.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Kordell Norton of Synergy Solutions explains why teaching a sales force the skills needed to empathize with customers will build a connection that is the cornerstone needed to create a solid base of returning, satisfied consumers.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Show annually includes Education Days—a complete lineup of educational sessions covering topics ranging from customer service and marketing, to cash flow and industry trends. Conducted by industry leaders and business experts from across the globe, the seminars are designed to help attendees sell more, be more productive, and prepare for emerging trends and opportunities.

SEMA Education will include SEMA Biz Tips weekly in SEMA eNews. Many of the experts featured in SEMA Biz Tips videos conducted seminars at the 2015 SEMA Show. In this week’s video, Kordell Norton of Synergy Solutions explains why teaching a sales force the skills needed to empathize with customers will build a connection that is the cornerstone needed to create a solid base of returning, satisfied consumers.

The 2016 SEMA Show will be held November 1–4, 2016, in Las Vegas. Exhibitors: buy a booth now!

To learn more about SEMA’s education resources, visit www.sema.org/education. Additional Biz Tips videos are available to view at www.sema.org/biz-tips.

By Becca Butler

Thousands of Showgoers at the 2015 SEMA Show took notice of the ’97 twin-turbo Toyota Supra that brothers Eric and Marc Kozeluh—co-owners of Twins Turbo Motorsports—entered into SEMA’s Battle of the Builders. As part of the competition, the Kozeluh brothers and their build were featured in pre-Show publications, on-site at the SEMA Show, in media outlets throughout the world and on a nationwide TV special that aired on the Velocity Network.

With nearly 300 vehicles entered into the competition, this Supra’s traditional hot-rod modifications incorporated into a turbocharged performance car is what made it stand out among the rest. With the underside just as detailed as the top, every nut and bolt was hand finished and CAD-plated. Sponsored by BBS, this vehicle included the following products:

Engine

Toyota TRD
Precision Turbo
Borg Warner
ARP Fasteners
NGK Sparkplugs

Transmission/Shifter

Tilton Clutch

Suspension

HKS

Wheels

BBS Wheels

Tires

Toyo

Brakes

Brembo

Interior

Recaro Seats

Lubricants/Fluids

Motul

Check out the above video to learn more about this build and visit the SEMA Show YouTube channel for similar videos from last year’s competition.

Open exclusively to display, feature and booth vehicles at the SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is a chance to honor and highlight some of the show’s talented builders, their vehicles and the products on them. To enter the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Becca Butler

Thousands of Showgoers at the 2015 SEMA Show took notice of the ’97 twin-turbo Toyota Supra that brothers Eric and Marc Kozeluh—co-owners of Twins Turbo Motorsports—entered into SEMA’s Battle of the Builders. As part of the competition, the Kozeluh brothers and their build were featured in pre-Show publications, on-site at the SEMA Show, in media outlets throughout the world and on a nationwide TV special that aired on the Velocity Network.

With nearly 300 vehicles entered into the competition, this Supra’s traditional hot-rod modifications incorporated into a turbocharged performance car is what made it stand out among the rest. With the underside just as detailed as the top, every nut and bolt was hand finished and CAD-plated. Sponsored by BBS, this vehicle included the following products:

Engine

Toyota TRD
Precision Turbo
Borg Warner
ARP Fasteners
NGK Sparkplugs

Transmission/Shifter

Tilton Clutch

Suspension

HKS

Wheels

BBS Wheels

Tires

Toyo

Brakes

Brembo

Interior

Recaro Seats

Lubricants/Fluids

Motul

Check out the above video to learn more about this build and visit the SEMA Show YouTube channel for similar videos from last year’s competition.

Open exclusively to display, feature and booth vehicles at the SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is a chance to honor and highlight some of the show’s talented builders, their vehicles and the products on them. To enter the 2016 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semashow.com/botb.