Compiled by SEMA Editors

Melissa Wonser

Lucas Oil Promotes Melissa Wonser to Vice President of Marketing

Lucas Oil Products Inc. has announced the promotion of Melissa Wonser to vice president of marketing. Wonser first joined the company in 2011, and has served as the digital marketing manager, art director, marketing manager and, in 2019, director of marketing. She also plays an instrumental role in the daily management of Lucas Oil’s marketing and creative direction, leading the graphics department, website development team and media/public relations efforts, among other responsibilities. In her new role, Wonser will be responsible for developing and implementing a marketing communications plan to increase Lucas Oil’s brand awareness through the extensive number of industries and sectors it serves. Originally from Southern California, Wonser now resides in Indiana, where she works with the Lucas Oil executive team from the corporate offices in Indianapolis.

“Horsepower Wars” Announces Broadcast Television Partnership With MAVTV And Season 3 Episode Schedule

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” has announced its official episode release schedule for the third season of the $10K Drag Shootout presented by Lucas Oil as well as a partnership with Lucas Oil’s cable and satellite television channel, MAVTV Motorsports Network. $10K Drag Shootout consists of four teams competing against each other to see who can build the fastest drag-racing car over a period of 10 days, with a budget of $10,000—divided into $3,000 cash and a $7,000 Summit Racing Equipment gift card. Once the builds have been completed, the teams head down to the track for heads-up racing, where the team who proves they’re the quickest, takes home $10,000 and their finished car. This season, the Lucas Oil $10K Drag Shootout will take inspiration from No Prep drag-racing events, which mimic street racing, using no traction compound to make the track sticky as with a traditional track event. For the first time, Horsepower Wars will partner with MAVTV to broadcast $10K Drag Shootout 3 on cable television. MAVTV will air episodes of $10K Drag Shootout every Sunday with the first episode premiering on November 1.

Champion Offers WD Incentive With Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil

Champion Oil has recently created a special opportunity and program to become a Champion Warehouse Distributor (WD) selling Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oils. The newly released incentive is a low-cost buy-in at the WD level for smaller businesses that includes free freight, web location posting, press release, POP, banners, literature, MAP pricing and a featured interview on the Champion Blue Flame Diesel Blog. Champion also offers a Master Warehouse Distributor (MWD) program that is available for larger-sized businesses interested in wholesale distribution of Champion’s Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils. For more information, visit Champion Oil’s website.

MAHLE Motorsport Announces $100 PowerPak Piston Rebate

In celebration of MAHLE’s 100th anniversary, MAHLE Motorsport has announced a $100 discount on all PowerPak piston kits. The discount is available starting October 15 through December 15, via a mail-in rebate. For more information about MAHLE Motorsport PowerPak Piston Kits, visit www.mahle motorsports.com.

Mustang Dynamometer has announced a new demonstration facility has opened at its Mexico City office.

Mustang Dynamometer Announces New Demonstration Facility In Mexico

Mustang Dynamometer has announced a new demonstration facility has opened at its Mexico City office, which was initially established in 2017. Mustang Operations Vice President Eser Manav recently visited the new addition as part of ongoing support from Mustang's head office in Twinsburg, Ohio. The new facility will promote performance dynamometers and provide training to the region. It also features an MD-100 and an MD-AWD-150 (8) roll chassis dynamometer.

USAC Announces Doug Lockwood as New Series Manager

The United States Auto Club (USAC) has announced that Doug Lockwood will manage and oversee race-related operations, planning and scheduling events for both the USAC Western States Midget and West Coast Sprint Car divisions. Lockwood begins his new position ahead of the October 10 doubleheader featuring both series at California’s Placerville Speedway. Lockwood, who previously served as a Director of Competition with USAC’s Western series, is the Merced (California) Speedway general manager. He succeeds Chris Kearns, who will take on a larger role with USAC sanctioning in its Rally, Off-Road and Karting series.

Steve deMoulpied

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) Announces Steve deMoulpied as Chief Operating Officer

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has announced the expansion of senior leadership. Steve deMoulpied joins LSI as the company’s chief operating officer (COO). With more than 20 years of experience across multiple industries and functional areas, deMoulpied has particular expertise in organizations with complex technical products. Combined, his prior positions have required a spectrum of skills in corporate strategy, operations improvement, product quality, and revenue cycle management. He has a history of utilizing data-driven problem solving (Lean Six Sigma) and project management (PMP and CSM) to achieve strategic goals surrounding customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and improved profit.

DeMoulpied comes to LSI from the private client services practice of Ernst & Young, where he managed strategy and operations improvement engagements for privately held client businesses. Some of his prior roles include vice president of strategic development, director of strategic initiatives, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt at OptumHealth, UnitedHealth Group’s health services business, as well as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt at General Electric, where he applied operations improvement principles to customer service, supply chain, and product development. deMoulpied is also the founder of PrestoFresh, a Cleveland-based e-commerce food/grocery business.

Joe Thompson

Lippert Components Names Joe Thompson New Chief Marketing Officer

Lippert Components Inc. (LCI) has announced the addition of Joe Thompson in the new role as chief marketing officer (CMO). Thompson comes to LCI from the December 2019 acquisition of the CURT Group, serving as CMO for the previous five years. Thompson will immediately structure a new global marketing organization servicing all of LCI’s current and future brands. Thompson brings more than 32 years of experience in consumer product sales and marketing leadership to LCI. He has served as the vice president of marketing at a number of companies, including Lund International, Formica Corp., and Armstrong World Industries. He will report to both Jamie Schnur, group president – aftermarket, and Rock Lambert, CURT Group president. In his role as CMO, Thompson’s primary responsibility will be to create a world-class marketing organization that will drive the global marketing strategy and efforts for all LCI brands. Thompson and Jarod Lippert, LCI’s vice president of marketing, will work together to create a unified organizational structure that will promote new products and services, grow digital presence, develop customer loyalty, engage audiences, and increase sales with new and existing customers across all of LCI’s growing brand portfolio.

DIRTVision Announces Jim Chiappelli as General Manager

DIRTVision, the provider of dirt track racing live stream broadcasts, has announced Jim Chiappelli as the new DIRTVision general manager. A veteran broadcast executive with extensive racing knowledge, Chiappelli joins DIRTVision after stints with SPEED and FOX Sports, where he held positions including coordinating producer, news director and studio producer.

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.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee Member Jonathan Barber of Bob Cook Sales has been named as this week’s YEN spotlight member. Barber is the regional sales director at Bob Cook Sales, a leading sales and marketing consulting company servicing manufacturers and resellers in the automotive aftermarket.

Read what keeps Barber passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and YEN.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Jonathan Barber: Don't ever lose sight of your goals and strive to be the best person you know you can be.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JB: Simply put, the people! Being surrounded by enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and people who live and breathe the automotive aftermarket.  

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?   

JB: Spending time with my two kids. When things get back to "normal" hopefully we can start hitting the car meets and shows again.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?     

JB: Prepared and eager to listen to challenges so I can find a way to solve the problem and keeping conversation relevant to the subject at hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?   

JB: George Barris.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee Member Jonathan Barber of Bob Cook Sales has been named as this week’s YEN spotlight member. Barber is the regional sales director at Bob Cook Sales, a leading sales and marketing consulting company servicing manufacturers and resellers in the automotive aftermarket.

Read what keeps Barber passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and YEN.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Jonathan Barber: Don't ever lose sight of your goals and strive to be the best person you know you can be.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JB: Simply put, the people! Being surrounded by enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and people who live and breathe the automotive aftermarket.  

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?   

JB: Spending time with my two kids. When things get back to "normal" hopefully we can start hitting the car meets and shows again.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?     

JB: Prepared and eager to listen to challenges so I can find a way to solve the problem and keeping conversation relevant to the subject at hand.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?   

JB: George Barris.

By Ashley Reyes

Bill North of Reputation.com has been named the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest spotlight member. North is a current PRO Select Committee volunteer who was awarded the PRO Nat Danas Person of the Year Award in 2017. His high degree of professionalism and contributions to the industry have made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is pleased to recognize him for his continuous support and volunteerism.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Bill North: My dad owned a collision shop and he always had sunroofs installed in his Cadillacs in the early 80's.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?   

BN: You get what you give, so PRO has been a nice avenue for me to share what I know for the benefit of others.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BN: Embrace change because you can expect it. Build solid relationships with people you can trust.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?   

BN: My dream vehicle is a ‘68 Pontiac GTO convertible. You will find me blasting through Southern Germany on my way to Austria with the system up and my foot buried on the accelerator.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

BN: Seek goodness in other people and you will find it.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

BN: Love and money.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

BN: You can find me on the lake with my family.

By Ashley Reyes

Bill North of Reputation.com has been named the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest spotlight member. North is a current PRO Select Committee volunteer who was awarded the PRO Nat Danas Person of the Year Award in 2017. His high degree of professionalism and contributions to the industry have made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is pleased to recognize him for his continuous support and volunteerism.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Bill North: My dad owned a collision shop and he always had sunroofs installed in his Cadillacs in the early 80's.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?   

BN: You get what you give, so PRO has been a nice avenue for me to share what I know for the benefit of others.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

BN: Embrace change because you can expect it. Build solid relationships with people you can trust.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?   

BN: My dream vehicle is a ‘68 Pontiac GTO convertible. You will find me blasting through Southern Germany on my way to Austria with the system up and my foot buried on the accelerator.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

BN: Seek goodness in other people and you will find it.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

BN: Love and money.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

BN: You can find me on the lake with my family.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Virginia General Assembly passed SEMA-supported legislation (H.B. 5058/S.B. 5029) that would change how certain traffic infractions are enforced, including suspected exhaust noise violations. The bills now go to Governor Ralph Northam for his approval or veto.

Current law includes the following traffic infractions as primary offenses: operating a motor vehicle without an exhaust system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, absence of a light illuminating a license plate, and the application of certain sun-shading materials and window tinting films. If signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, police would not be able to stop motorists for such infractions, but can add these citations if motorists are pulled over for other reasons.

For more information and to request support for these bills, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By Della Domingo

With many new and unique products in store for the coming year, Curt Group’s New Product Spotlight Page will be the first to reveal the company’s new products, and include photos, videos, key features for each product, custom vehicle builds, as well as downloadable key-feature fliers.

Manufacturing companies are gearing up for SEMA360, where they will showcase new products for the automotive specialty-equipment industry and prepare to meet with resellers from all over the world. Here are details on what some manufacturers have planned:   

• ORACLE Lighting will showcase new lighting products for the ’20 Chevy Camaro and ’19–’20 Chevy Silverado. Both the ’20 Chevy Camaro SS/RS Oracle Colorshift RGB+A Headlight DRL Upgrade and the ’19–’20 Chevy Silverado 1500 Oracle Colorshift RGB+W Headlight DRL Upgrade can make hundreds of different colors and dozens of patterns.
• Redline Detection is introducing SpeedSmoke—a diagnostic leak detector designed to address the proliferation of boosted vehicles in the aftermarket. SpeedSmoke can pinpoint faults in naturally aspirated engines as well as pinpoint high pressure turbo, diesel, supercharged, boost leaks, with 100% reliability in just minutes. 
• Sharpline Converting Inc. will offer special discounted pricing on its latest products to buyers during SEMA360. The company manufactures roll striping, graphics, paint protection film and chemical protection products to every segment of the automotive industry.
• Curt Group will showcase its newly introduced New Product Spotlight Page. With many new and unique products in store for the coming year, the New Product Spotlight Page will be the first to reveal CURT’s new products and include photos, videos, key features for each product, custom vehicle builds, as well as downloadable key-feature fliers. 
• Diode Dynamics will have its new SSC2 2-in. LED Pod, featuring high-output intensity and designed for maximum functionality, with custom-engineered TIR optics shining in highly useful beam patterns. With four standard backlight options, these pods are a powerful light option that can be mounted virtually anywhere on a vehicle, including spots where LED Light Bars are not an option. 
• Supreme Suspensions is featuring its new 1.6-in. Ratchet Tie-Down Strap Kit. Made from professional-grade, high-tensile polyester with triple-stitched webbing, the Ratchet Tie-Down Strap Kit features a 1,460-lb. Safe Working Load and a 4,400-lb. Max Breaking Strength. Easy-to-use “S” hooks constructed of ASTM equivalent 1045 structural steel help to resist deformation and deflection under heavy loads. They are also stratch-resistant, waterproof and UV-protected.
• AEM Performance Electronics will featuring its new VCU300, along with other new EV products, during SEMA360. The VCU300 is used on both the Ford Performance CobraJet1400 (the fastest door-slammer drag EV in the world), and the Huff Motorsports EV Dragter (the first EV dragster to eclipse 200 mph in the quarter-mile). 
• BlueDevil Products is showcasing its BlueDevil Gasket Sealer and its BlueDevil Radiator Flush. The gasket sealer will repair and seal leaks in blown head gaskets, warped or cracked heads, heater cores and freeze plugs. The radiator flush restores efficiency to vehicles by helping remove grease, rust, grime or any other buildup that occurs during normal vehicle use.
• TRAK Machine Tools will feature its new Toolroom Machining Center and demonstrate how easy it is to transition from manual work, such asmachining a prototype or test piece in Toolroom Ops, to full production machining in Production Ops. It’s a full feature three-axis machining center when you need to run low-volume production, and with the flip of a switch will work like its popular TRAK DPM.
• Bully Dog and SCT Performance will offer SEMA360 specials and give away $50,000 in tuners as part of its Great Tuner Giveaway. Staff will showcase the SCT Livewire Vision Performance Monitor, and share information about the new vehicle coverage added to the SCT X4 Performance Programmer and the Bully Dog GT.

As a 100% online event created to fill the void of the in-person SEMA Show not taking place in Las Vegas, SEMA360 provides the industry with a trade-only platform that provides manufacturers and resellers an opportunity to connect and focus on new products, vehicles, education and doing business. Learn more by visiting www.sema360.com.  

Manufacturers who have special SEMA360 discounts, or who would like to promote their SEMA360 plans and be included on the list above, should email Kelly Clancy at kellyc@sema.org.