SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members will learn everything they need to know about legislative issues impacting automotive restoration during ARMO’s General Membership Meeting, Friday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PST).
Held as a virtual event, the discussion will feature David Alkire of RPUi as moderator, as he is joined by Christian Robinson, SEMA director of state government affairs and Political Action Committee (PAC). On the agenda is a discussion and an open Q&A on the following:
Top legislative issues for SEMA.
State trends on emissions requirements on older vehicles.
State trends on titling of older vehicles, specifically those using aftermarket restoration parts.
General business regulations that could impact restoration businesses.
How the SEMA Government Affairs office can aid businesses in dealing with a legislative issue in their state or local jurisdictions and help facilitate meeting with legislators.
The meeting, which is open to all current ARMO members and companies in the restoration industry, is the ideal time to address industry issues and connect with others in the market. A brief report on the council’s recent SEMA Show activities and current initiatives will also be discussed. Register here.
SEMA receives many seminar proposals for the various education programs and the selection process is highly selective. Below, are common questions and details about the SEMA speaker selection process.
Speaker proposals for the 2022 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 7, 2022.
What are the most common topics of interest?
Each year, SEMA reviews the topics and issues that are of greatest interest to its members. Topics of greatest interest for the 2022 program include Aftermarket Updates and Future Trends, Digital Marketing, Automotive Electronics, Legal & Regulatory, Small-Business Strategy, Electric Vehicles, Vehicle Technology, Aspiring Leadership, Business Management and industry segment-specific topics.
How are speakers selected?
Speakers who can deliver valuable presentations, host insightful discussions, and teach, inform and inspire automotive specialty-equipment professionals are desired. Speaking engagements may be in person at events such as the SEMA Show, or virtual through the year-round SEMA virtual education program.
Who is the program audience?
The program audience includes but is not limited to representatives from all segments of the automotive aftermarket industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, installers, automotive small business owners, managers and employees.
What is the deadline for speaker applications?
Speaker proposals for the 2022 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 7, 2022. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year. Applications are available at www.sema.org/speakers.
What information am I required to submit with my application?
Speakers who submit an application must be prepared to provide a session description, learning objectives and key takeaways, and why they are a great choice to present on their topic.
For more details, visit www.sema.org/speakers or contact Gary Vigil at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.
Jeff Jegelewicz is the SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance’s (TORA) newest spotlight volunteer. Jegelewicz is the director of marketing at Covercraft Industries, a manufacturer of protection products for the automotive, marine, powersports and aircraft markets.
Learn about Jegelewicz in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?
Jeff Jegelewicz: I worked at a Western Auto store after graduating high school and continued through college. I developed a love for the automotive industry during that time and have never left it.
SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?
JJ: I feel our companies have an obligation to help the industry grow for the greater good of all of us. Likewise, we owe it to our companies to be part of the organizations that drive the industry forward. I’m looking to broaden my network of peers, learn and help the industry as a whole.
SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?
JJ: Learn from those who have been there and are willing to share their knowledge. There is so much opportunity and this industry has a sharing culture which makes it unique in business.
SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?
JJ: I’ve always loved the Scout and Scout II. It’s rugged, durable and simple with not a lot of frills—a workhorse. If I had one, you could probably find me just about anywhere that had sand, water and trees.
Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA eNews and future TORA member updates.
Ty Cobb, photography studio manager at Holley Performance, is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member.
Cobb is a photojournalist that specializes in automotive and motorsports coverage. Get to know what keeps him in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Ty Cobb: Be prepared. I learned this advice while in scouting, and it is fundamentally the best advice, as I use it every day. Whatever you may face, be prepared—whether it's being prepared in your skills and knowledge or being prepared with a backup plan when your skills and knowledge aren’t enough.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
TC: At my core is a love for all things automotive. From my earliest memories to today, cars have always been my biggest interest aside from photography.
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
TC: On a typical Saturday, I’m either covering an event or spending time in the garden with my partner.
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
TC: I always consider my audience first to determine what information to present. After that, my preparation looks something like handwritten notes in different colors to keep me organized and on one topic at a time; as well as detailed reporting about current status and open issues. If I bring up issues, I do my best to include possible solutions as well.
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
TC: Such a hard question! I think it would be interesting to have lunch with Chip Foose because I’ve followed his work and consequently, SEMA builds, since I was a little kid. It’s because of Chip that I am in involved in the automotive industry. I originally wanted to go into automotive design, but quickly realized I couldn’t draw or sculpt very well. A mentor suggested I take on photography as “the next best thing” and that pursuit has gotten me to where I am today. On top of that, I would love to learn more about Chip’s business history and entrepreneurship that has framed his success within the industry.
If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.
Interested in seeing what the next hottest trend is? Want to see where consumers are buying their parts? Whatever your business objectives, SEMA Market Research’s reports can help connect you with the information you need to make informed business decisions. These reports, and much more, are available for free at www.sema.org/research.
Here are some of the newest reports available:
SEMA State of the Industry – Fall 2021: This report explores the current state of the specialty-equipment industry—how businesses have fared during the pandemic, how supply-chain disruptions are affecting the industry, current trends and sales performance and outlook for 2022 and beyond.
SEMA 2021 Retail Trends Report: This report looks at the current state of retail in the United States, both overall and for the specialty-automotive aftermarket. It includes a look at how our industry fits into the broader retail landscape, trends affecting consumers and businesses and what industry retailers may want to keep an eye on in the future.
SEMA Emerging Trends: Electrification, Alternative Power and Advanced Technology: This report examines the current landscape of electrification in the United States, providing a realistic outlook for electric vehicles in the future as well as implications of advancing technology for our industry.
Monthly Industry Indicators: The monthly “SEMA Industry Indicators” report provides a high-level snapshot of the overall U.S. economy and specialty-equipment market to help keep you up to date on key trends that can affect your business.
The SEMA Market Research team is here to help. If you have any questions or information needs, feel free to reach out to us at research@sema.org.
As viewers of Hemmings’ nine-part YouTube series “Road to Improvement” watched journalists and auto experts Mike Musto and Elana Scherr take an ’81 Chevrolet Suburban on a 3,600-mile road trip, they also got to see how easy it can be to upgrade a vehicle and turn an older truck into a comfortable machine that includes modern-day comforts and conveniences. That same truck, dubbed “Big Green,” was auctioned off by Hemmings earlier this month, raising a total of $22,575 that will go toward the SEMA Cares foundation and its partnering children’s charities.
“Big Green,” was auctioned off by Hemmings earlier this month, raising a total of $22,575 that will go toward the SEMA Cares foundation and its partnering children’s charities.
The vehicle project, which was inspired by Hemmings readers and viewers who wanted to see road-trip content, was driven across the country and documented while it was being improved into a vehicle capable of being driven daily.
“We are very grateful to have partnered with Hemmings on the Suburban project we know will have a positive impact on our industry,” said Kathyrn Reinhardt, SEMA Cares chair. “The vehicle’s proceeds will play a huge role in helping children in need and continue to encourage the youth about the automotive hobbyist lifestyle.”
The “Road to Improvement” series can be viewed here.
SEMA Cares offers a way for SEMA membership to give back in a meaningful way to help children. Funds are donated to the three official SEMA Cares charities: Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, Childhelp and Victory Junction. To learn more about SEMA Cares and how to support the industry’s fundraising efforts, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.
Steve Matusek, founder of Aeromotive Inc., has been appointed treasurer of the SEMA Board of Directors.
A first-generation American, Matusek’s father escaped Hungary in 1956 and his mother escaped Germany in 1948. Matusek earned his B.A. in aeronautical engineering at Park’s College of St. Louis University and his MBA from Webster University.
A second-generation racer and perennial top 10 driver in the NHRA Pro Modified class, Matusek has competed and is licensed in NHRA Pro Stock, Competition Eliminator and virtually every other sportsman class. An automotive enthusiast, Matusek collects and refurbishes musclecars and late-model performance vehicles. His three daughters have all raced junior dragsters, with his youngest earning the Western Conference finals championship in 2006.
Matusek has secured dozens of patents and earned SEMA awards for product development, and in 2018, Aeromotive was named SEMA Manufacturer of the Year.
Thom Bernheisel Selected BOLT Lock Sales Representative of the Year
BOLT Lock named Thom Bernheisel of Considine Sales & Marketing its Sales Representative of the Year at the 2021 SEMA Show. BOLT Lock presents this annual award to recognize outstanding sales achievements and excellent customer service among its network of manufacturer’s representatives. Bernheisel has worked at Considine Sales & Marketing for 15 years and covers a territory that includes automotive and truck aftermarket wholesalers in the Midwest and Great Plains.
LSI Chemical Signs APOLCO to Distribute LSI Chemical and Hot Shot’s Secret Products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
LSI Chemical has announced a new distributor agreement with APOLCO, which has sales offices in the Netherlands, Ukraine, North Africa and the United Arab Emirates, where the company benefits with having staff proficient in the local language(s), local business practices and currency exchange. The agreement provides APOLCO with the right to sell both the LSI Chemical line of products for formulation of lubricants (downstream oil) and petrol refinery and jobber blends, as well as Hot Shot’s Secret performance additives and oils in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This agreement doubles the size of countries where the products can be sold internationally, including E.U. (excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland), Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Oman, Qatar, and north Africa from Egypt to Mauritania, Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, CIS and Russia.
K&N Announces Mo Ayad as VP of New Product Development Marketing
K&N is pleased to announce that Mo Ayad has joined the company as the vice president of new product development marketing. Ayad possesses an expansive knowledge of automotive performance products, and his expertise will help facilitate K&N’s continued growth in the performance filtration segment. Ayad was a driving force behind the sales relationship between Turn 14 and K&N, and many of its resulting successes. He previously worked in performance automotive at AutoAnything.
K&N has focused on expanding its leadership and management teams in 2021 in order to facilitate continued category growth and expansion. Several new product lines have launched in the past two years with advancements in additional categories slated for 2022.
Sara Greenstein
BorgWarner Appoints Sara Greenstein to Board of Directors
BorgWarner has appointed Sara Greenstein to its board of directors. Greenstein was the president, CEO and board member of Lydall, a global manufacturer of value-added engineered materials and specialty filtration solutions. Prior, Greenstein served as senior vice president of United States Steel Corp., where she managed the company’s $4 billion consumer solutions business unit.
Nexen Tire America Relocates U.S. Headquarters to Richfield, Ohio
Nexen Tire America has announced the relocation of its U.S.-based headquarters to Richfield, Ohio. The new headquarters joins its North American technical center located at 4014 Wheatley Rd. The $5.2 million 35,540-sq.-ft. facility opened in 2019 and is one of three technical centers Nexen Tire operates worldwide. Nexen Tire will continue to utilize its three U.S. distribution facilities located in California, Georgia and Ohio as well, providing tires to its customers and its network of dealers faster.
Kyle Moose
ETS Racing Fuels Announces Kyle Moose as Race Fuel Manager
ETS Racing Fuels has announced Kyle Moose as its North American race fuel manager. Moose has 15 years of experience in the motorsports industry with seven years dedicated to racing fuels. He has held stints with off-road racing’s Varner Motorsports followed by off-road motorcycle manufacturer Hinson Clutch Components. After, he joined VP Racing Fuels as the West Coast race fuel manager before joining Amber Resources’ petroleum distribution company.
VP Racing Fuels Expands Operations in Tennessee
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced a major expansion of its operations in Tennessee, including a second new facility in Carroll County. VP is increasing its total Tennessee investment to $14.2 million to expand its Huntingdon operations and acquire a new facility in McKenzie near the Carroll County Airport. The project in total will create 150 new jobs and comes less than three years after the company invested more than $4 million to establish its Huntingdon operations. The expansion at VP’s current Huntingdon facility will include the company’s investment in a $7 million tank farm for blending, storage and filling of packaged products. The new McKenzie location will include blow mold machinery to manufacture VP’s Motorsport Containers and the VP apparel line, introduced last year.
James Palasota
Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) Hires James Palasota to Serve as Chief Operating Officer
Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has announced the addition of James Palasota as the company’s COO. Palasota has a record of developing startups into global brands, conceptualizing strategic direction and developing the internal processes to ensure integration at all levels of operations, nationally and internationally. As vice president of sales and marketing for Sottera Inc., he was responsible for introducing NJOY electronic cigarettes and vaping products—one of the first on the market in the United States. At Sottera, he secured strategic partnerships in retail channels with multiple Fortune 500 companies growing sales to $4 million and was responsible for rolling out a global sales strategy. As vice president of Illumination International, DBA The Amazing Flameless Candle, Palasota successfully executed and led strategies to make this product a household name. Most recently, he served as COO for AFC Industries and Herbal Brands and as senior vice president of operations for UtekTik Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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.
We spied this curious ’23 Ford Super Duty prototype that is believed to be the range-topping Platinum trim level.
The tester has all the makings of a Platinum trim, including chrome mirror caps and a chromed bottom end of the window surrounds. What makes this particular prototype curious are the black wheels. Currently, the only way to get black wheels on the F-Series Super Duty is to opt for the Tremor Off-Road Package.
Other than that, the front end is masked by heavy camouflage while the rest of the truck is covered in body-hugging checkered camo. That’s all very much on purpose, as Ford looks to hide the final design of the redesigned Super Duty from our lenses.
SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members will learn everything they need to know about legislative issues impacting automotive restoration during ARMO’s General Membership Meeting, Friday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PST).
Jeff Jegelewicz is the SEMA 
Ty Cobb, photography studio manager at Holley Performance, is the SEMA 
Steve Matusek, founder of Aeromotive Inc., has been appointed treasurer of the SEMA Board of Directors.
Thom Bernheisel Selected BOLT Lock Sales Representative of the Year
