KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Wade Kawasaki	Susan Carpenter
Laurel Dasher	Dan Kahn
Jim Bingham	Nick Gramelspacher

Wade Kawasaki of the Coker Group has been elected the chairman-elect of SEMA and joins the newly elected Board members to help lead the association for the 2015–2017 term. Kawasaki fills the position held for the past two years by Doug Evans of Luken Communications. Evans will begin serving his term as chairman in July. The newly elected SEMA Board volunteers are Susan Carpenter of JR Products, Laurel Dasher of Powerteq and Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. Jim Bingham of Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. and Nick Gramelspacher of Meyer Distributing were re-elected and will serve another term.

2015–2016 SEMA Board of Directors

• Chairman of the Board: Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Luken Communications
• Chairman-elect: Wade Kawasaki, President, Coker Group
• Immediate-Past Chairman/Secretary: Nate Shelton, Chief Marketing Officer, Driven Performance Brands

Board Members

• Greg Adler – CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Jeff Bates – Partner, Bob Cook Sales
• Jim Bingham – President and CEO, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc.
• Susan Carpenter – President, JR Products
• Laurel Dasher – Northeast Sales Manager, Powerteq
• Kyle Fickler – Director of Business Development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher – Vice President Sales & Marketing, Meyer Distributing
• Dan Kahn – President, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tim Martin – Chief Operations Officer, K&N Engineering
• Tim Watts – President, Superlift Suspension

John Johnson of The Spartan Group will continue to serve as treasurer, and Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel.

The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors will be recognized during the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 24, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Also during the banquet, outgoing Board members Scooter Brothers of COMP Performance Group, Luanne Brown of eTool Developers, John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Performance LLC and Russell Stephens of MSD Performance, will be recognized and honored for their service and contributions to the industry. The event will also feature a special tribute to the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees—Joel Ayres, Jim Bingham and Dennis Gage.  

By SEMA Editors

Wade Kawasaki	Susan Carpenter
Laurel Dasher	Dan Kahn
Jim Bingham	Nick Gramelspacher

Wade Kawasaki of the Coker Group has been elected the chairman-elect of SEMA and joins the newly elected Board members to help lead the association for the 2015–2017 term. Kawasaki fills the position held for the past two years by Doug Evans of Luken Communications. Evans will begin serving his term as chairman in July. The newly elected SEMA Board volunteers are Susan Carpenter of JR Products, Laurel Dasher of Powerteq and Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. Jim Bingham of Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. and Nick Gramelspacher of Meyer Distributing were re-elected and will serve another term.

2015–2016 SEMA Board of Directors

• Chairman of the Board: Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Luken Communications
• Chairman-elect: Wade Kawasaki, President, Coker Group
• Immediate-Past Chairman/Secretary: Nate Shelton, Chief Marketing Officer, Driven Performance Brands

Board Members

• Greg Adler – CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Jeff Bates – Partner, Bob Cook Sales
• Jim Bingham – President and CEO, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc.
• Susan Carpenter – President, JR Products
• Laurel Dasher – Northeast Sales Manager, Powerteq
• Kyle Fickler – Director of Business Development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher – Vice President Sales & Marketing, Meyer Distributing
• Dan Kahn – President, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tim Martin – Chief Operations Officer, K&N Engineering
• Tim Watts – President, Superlift Suspension

John Johnson of The Spartan Group will continue to serve as treasurer, and Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel.

The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors will be recognized during the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 24, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Also during the banquet, outgoing Board members Scooter Brothers of COMP Performance Group, Luanne Brown of eTool Developers, John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Performance LLC and Russell Stephens of MSD Performance, will be recognized and honored for their service and contributions to the industry. The event will also feature a special tribute to the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees—Joel Ayres, Jim Bingham and Dennis Gage.  

By Steve Wolcott

	The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network will attempt to defend their title in this year's Council Cup, July 24, 2015, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

The SEMA Cares 6th Annual Council Cup will once again pit council against council in the name of a very good cause—helping children in need. Which council will rise up and prove their dominance and ability to rally their members to sponsor the most Pinewood cars? For the Council Cup "Grudge Match," each council will design a car that best represents their team for the ultimate Pinewood “battle royale.”

Last year’s Council Cup winner, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), is tuning up their ruby-red car to defend their title. “We look forward to this fun event each summer at the SEMA Installation Gala,” said Erin Gilhuly, incoming SBN chairperson. “Our car will be tuned to perfection and ready to race against the other councils and networks. We have won three of the five Council Cup challenges with the last two back-to-back. No other council or network can even come close to our winning record. No matter what it takes, our goal is to keep the SBN name on the trophy. The flames on the car are real so don’t blink during the final round because it will smoke the competition."

Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

Themed “Leaders and Legends,” the 2015 SEMA Installation Gala will feature up-and-coming industry leaders and esteemed icons from the automotive accessories world. All SEMA-member companies are invited to join the festivities, but seats are limited. Register now for the event.

By Steve Wolcott

	The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network will attempt to defend their title in this year's Council Cup, July 24, 2015, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

The SEMA Cares 6th Annual Council Cup will once again pit council against council in the name of a very good cause—helping children in need. Which council will rise up and prove their dominance and ability to rally their members to sponsor the most Pinewood cars? For the Council Cup "Grudge Match," each council will design a car that best represents their team for the ultimate Pinewood “battle royale.”

Last year’s Council Cup winner, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), is tuning up their ruby-red car to defend their title. “We look forward to this fun event each summer at the SEMA Installation Gala,” said Erin Gilhuly, incoming SBN chairperson. “Our car will be tuned to perfection and ready to race against the other councils and networks. We have won three of the five Council Cup challenges with the last two back-to-back. No other council or network can even come close to our winning record. No matter what it takes, our goal is to keep the SBN name on the trophy. The flames on the car are real so don’t blink during the final round because it will smoke the competition."

Proceeds from the races benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides the camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood car is easy and rewarding. Purchase your own Pinewood car, participate and help a child in need.

Themed “Leaders and Legends,” the 2015 SEMA Installation Gala will feature up-and-coming industry leaders and esteemed icons from the automotive accessories world. All SEMA-member companies are invited to join the festivities, but seats are limited. Register now for the event.