By Kristopher Porter

The top 15 semifinalists for the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad competition, to be held during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8, have been selected. Find out who made the cut and their unique products below:

Eric Amato

Eric Amato
Radial Dynamics LLC, President
Product: Vortex Steering Reservoir
The Radial Dynamics Vortex Reservoir is a revolution in the off-road steering market segment, which features a patent-pending design that actively de-aerates steering fluid and maximizes effective system capacity to keep even the highest flowing steering pumps working at their best under the most demanding conditions.

Alan Brentzel

Alan Brentzel
Traveling Tint, Owner
Product: Removable sun shades and window tint
Traveling tint is an optically clear removable window tint/shade. The traveling tint kit is 15% VLT tinted, quick to put on a window, pull off and move. The slap shade line is a complete sunblock kit. This product is customizable with logos and brands.

Jason Denney

Jason Denney
RIGd Supply, Chief Marketing Officer
Product: UltraSwing
The RIGd UltraSwing is a spare-tire carrier and swing-away receiver for bike racks or other hitch-mounted accessories. UltraSwing is designed for serious off-road use, and combines maximum functionality with reduced weight. UltraSwing features an ecosystem of accessory mounts, including a camp table, fuel, Hi-Lift jacks and more.

TJ Hammerle

TJ Hammerle
Trac-Top LLC, CEO
Product: Trac-Top/Jeep Wrangler Top
Trac-Top is a direct replacement for the freedom panels of the Jeep Wrangler using the factory knobs. It is a coil-sprung retractable canvas that is built directly into the housing to provide instant shade when you want it and protection from the elements when you need it.

Thomas Judge

Thomas Judge
GJ Motorsports LLC, Owner
Product: 3rd Brake Lights
The GJ Motorsports’ aftermarket third brake lights provide a high mounting location for LED lights to provide effective dust/chase lights with a factory fit and finish. They are also a great option for anyone working around the rear of their vehicle by providing excellent work or scene lighting.

Riley Koidahl

Riley Koidahl
The Paddock, Founder/CEO
Product: The Paddock
The Paddock leverages technology to give car enthusiasts the best shopping experience possible. Virtually test fit wheels, browse classifieds and connect with installers for a seamless wheel and tire experience, from ideation to installation.

Andrew Lien

Andrew Lien
KeyCages, Owner
Product: KeyCages
KeyCages are precision-engineered exoskeletons for keys and key fobs that enhance the look and performance of OEM keys.

Reid Lunde

Reid Lunde
Kaizen Speed, Founder/Owner
Product: Kaizen Relay
The Kaizen Relay is a weatherproof, solid-state relay that directly replaces standard relays. Its patent-pending design allows multiple relays to interconnect, making it easy to add on to your vehicle without complicated wiring. Programmable CAN-bus modules and wireless modules can be attached, instantly making your Kaizen Relay a smart PDM.

Steven Owens

Steven Owens
Last Drop Wrench, CEO/Founder
Product: The Last Drop Wrench
The Last Drop Wrench allows you to drain oil from an oil filter before it has been removed, eliminating spills and burns while decreasing the time it takes to complete an oil change by up to 25%. Life is already messy; your oil change doesn’t have to be.

Wesley Poole

Wesley Poole
Forged Authority, President
Product: Aftermarket Truck Bed Systems
Forged Authority manufactures the next generation of truck bed systems, including toolboxes, chairs, tire chocks, tie-down hooks, kayak racks, fishing-rod holders and more. Accessories mount onto the new mounting framerail with one pin within seconds.

Alexander Reid

Alexander Reid
Seville Auto Trim LLC, GloTrim Products Lead
Product: GloTrim/Fiber Optic light guide see OEM
GloTrim flexible glass fiber-optic welting kits provide premium soft-trim lighting solutions by offering kits, consultation, integration and custom services. GloTrim kits are designed to be easily integrated into any 12-volt system. GloTrim provides automotive aftermarket companies the tools to craft new, exciting and desirable products for their customers.

Zachary Saylor

Zachary Saylor
The Wiper Group LLC, President
Product: Wiper Packs
Changing windshield wipers is simple with Wiper Packs from The Wiper Group. Each pack is customized to include two blades that are the right fit for your car. When it’s time for a change, get a refill pack so you can keep the blades and just replace the rubber.

John Schurman

John Schurman
Voxel Evolution LLC, Founder
Product: Luxe LightWrap
Luxe LightWrap is a translucent premium cast vinyl specifically designed for wrapping a vehicle’s lights and trim. LightWrap is manufactured in the United States and features air release for quick bubble-free installations, and because it can be printed and laminated, there is no limit to what effect is possible.

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith
SoCur Inc., Owner
Product: UV Cure Undercoat System for Automotive Refinish
ChipFix is a single component ultraviolet-cure fine putty that is translucent in color. This putty is perfect for last-minute touchups of pinholes, rock chips, light gauges and minor imperfections. ChipFix spreads easily and cures in seconds with an appropriate UV light and experiences little to no shrinkage.

Justin Urban

Justin Urban
Urban Custom Fabrications, Owner
Product: DIY Custom Flatbeds
UCF’s aluminum flatbed has interlocking pieces that bolt together in an at-home or professional garage. The bed can be shipped to the door for a DIY project or fabrication shops can save on inventory costs because it fits most platforms. It features a sturdy, durable and a clean design.

Keep up with all the latest Launch Pad updates or on the YEN Facebook Page.

By SEMA Editors

Trent Goodwin of COMP Cams was featured in last year’s SEMA News “35 Under 35.”

September’s issue of SEMA News will highlight up-and-coming superstars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2019—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you by May 31.

Trent Goodwin, 34, media/marketing coordinator for COMP Cams was featured in last year’s SEMA News “35 Under 35.”

Goodwin showed an interest in cars at an early age, which prompted his father to buy him a ’79 Camaro for restoration at age 13. In his 12th year with COMP Cams, he plays an integral role in the company’s marketing department. His role allows him to work with well-known media representatives and prestigious car builders in the industry, helping with product placement for all brands under the COMP Performance Group umbrella. Goodwin also assists with ad creations, merchandise, trailer inventory, display creations, trade show coordination, sponsorship and event promotions in addition to day-to-day marketing tasks.

Goodwin was named the SEMA Young Executive of the Year in 2017, and serves on the YEN select committee. In the next five to 10 years, he hopes to continue moving up the corporate ladder at COMP Cams.

SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2019 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31.

By SEMA Editors

Trent Goodwin of COMP Cams was featured in last year’s SEMA News “35 Under 35.”

September’s issue of SEMA News will highlight up-and-coming superstars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2019—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you by May 31.

Trent Goodwin, 34, media/marketing coordinator for COMP Cams was featured in last year’s SEMA News “35 Under 35.”

Goodwin showed an interest in cars at an early age, which prompted his father to buy him a ’79 Camaro for restoration at age 13. In his 12th year with COMP Cams, he plays an integral role in the company’s marketing department. His role allows him to work with well-known media representatives and prestigious car builders in the industry, helping with product placement for all brands under the COMP Performance Group umbrella. Goodwin also assists with ad creations, merchandise, trailer inventory, display creations, trade show coordination, sponsorship and event promotions in addition to day-to-day marketing tasks.

Goodwin was named the SEMA Young Executive of the Year in 2017, and serves on the YEN select committee. In the next five to 10 years, he hopes to continue moving up the corporate ladder at COMP Cams.

SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2019 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31.

By Kristopher Porter

Aaron Kaufman

The Young Executives Network (YEN) has recently confirmed the Discovery Channel’s Aaron Kaufman of ArcLight Fabrication in Dallas will host the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Kaufman’s fabrication experience began as many others have—by needing a part for his Jeep Cherokee. Mechanically minded but with very little fabrication experience under his belt, Kaufman ordered the part for his Jeep, only to find that he could have easily made the part himself. From that experience he swore that he would do everything in his power to make his own parts whenever able. With this new mentality, his experience level working on cars, trucks and motorcycles quickly grew, and he began to attract attention at local shops in his hometown of Fort Worth.

He worked at a few shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Drop Zone, his own shop on Main Street in Dallas called “No Name Shop” and Gas Monkey Garage, before finally opening his own shop with the aim of producing parts for Ford F-100s. Those plans were temporarily put on hold when Discovery Channel asked him to do his own show, so for the first nine months, ArcLight Fabrication became a race shop of sorts, building cars to compete in a variety of races to be documented for the show “Shifting Gears.” With season one in the bag, ArcLight returned to its original goal of producing parts.

This will be an exciting year for Launch Pad, as the top five finalists will compete for the chance to win $10,000, along with an assortment of other prizes. Stay up-to-date with the competition.

Reserve your Launch Pad tickets.

By Kristopher Porter

Aaron Kaufman

The Young Executives Network (YEN) has recently confirmed the Discovery Channel’s Aaron Kaufman of ArcLight Fabrication in Dallas will host the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Kaufman’s fabrication experience began as many others have—by needing a part for his Jeep Cherokee. Mechanically minded but with very little fabrication experience under his belt, Kaufman ordered the part for his Jeep, only to find that he could have easily made the part himself. From that experience he swore that he would do everything in his power to make his own parts whenever able. With this new mentality, his experience level working on cars, trucks and motorcycles quickly grew, and he began to attract attention at local shops in his hometown of Fort Worth.

He worked at a few shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Drop Zone, his own shop on Main Street in Dallas called “No Name Shop” and Gas Monkey Garage, before finally opening his own shop with the aim of producing parts for Ford F-100s. Those plans were temporarily put on hold when Discovery Channel asked him to do his own show, so for the first nine months, ArcLight Fabrication became a race shop of sorts, building cars to compete in a variety of races to be documented for the show “Shifting Gears.” With season one in the bag, ArcLight returned to its original goal of producing parts.

This will be an exciting year for Launch Pad, as the top five finalists will compete for the chance to win $10,000, along with an assortment of other prizes. Stay up-to-date with the competition.

Reserve your Launch Pad tickets.

By Kristopher Porter

Aaron Kaufman

The Young Executives Network (YEN) has recently confirmed the Discovery Channel’s Aaron Kaufman of ArcLight Fabrication in Dallas will host the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad competition.

Kaufman’s fabrication experience began as many others have—by needing a part for his Jeep Cherokee. Mechanically minded but with very little fabrication experience under his belt, Kaufman ordered the part for his Jeep, only to find that he could have easily made the part himself. From that experience he swore that he would do everything in his power to make his own parts whenever able. With this new mentality, his experience level working on cars, trucks and motorcycles quickly grew, and he began to attract attention at local shops in his hometown of Fort Worth.

He worked at a few shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Drop Zone, his own shop on Main Street in Dallas called “No Name Shop” and Gas Monkey Garage, before finally opening his own shop with the aim of producing parts for Ford F-100s. Those plans were temporarily put on hold when Discovery Channel asked him to do his own show, so for the first nine months, ArcLight Fabrication became a race shop of sorts, building cars to compete in a variety of races to be documented for the show “Shifting Gears.” With season one in the bag, ArcLight returned to its original goal of producing parts.

This will be an exciting year for Launch Pad, as the top five finalists will compete for the chance to win $10,000, along with an assortment of other prizes. Stay up-to-date with the competition.

Reserve your Launch Pad tickets.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers can secure convenient, affordable and reliable housing for the 2019 SEMA Show through the SEMA Show website.

SEMA is partnering once again with onPeak to provide SEMA Showgoers with convenient, affordable and reliable housing options for the 2019 SEMA Show. Available through the SEMA Show website, hotel room reservations may be made at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas.

With 162,000 industry professionals at the SEMA Show each year, housing in Las Vegas during the SEMA Show has been known to sell out and may be limited. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and may be cancelled without penalty.

“SEMA Showgoers have options as to where to stay during the SEMA Show,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of hotels from which to choose, all at the lowest possible cost.”

Listed prices are all-inclusive and include resort fees (if applicable), so there are no added costs. With the average room rate from the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging site at $174 per night, compared to the prevailing $286 per night rate found elsewhere, guests save an average of $450 for four nights through onPeak. Additionally, complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the SEMA Show is available at hotels further away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, and onPeak agents are available to help Showgoers determine the best hotel for their needs, whether it’s distance from the Convention Center, amenities, parking costs or room rates.

“We strongly encourage Showgoers to secure their hotel rooms through onPeak,” Gattuso said. “Showgoers may be approached by other services, but onPeak is the only official SEMA Show housing provider that SEMA stands behind. Using other providers is risky.”

The 2019 SEMA Show takes place November 5–8, in Las Vegas.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers can secure convenient, affordable and reliable housing for the 2019 SEMA Show through the SEMA Show website.

SEMA is partnering once again with onPeak to provide SEMA Showgoers with convenient, affordable and reliable housing options for the 2019 SEMA Show. Available through the SEMA Show website, hotel room reservations may be made at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas.

With 162,000 industry professionals at the SEMA Show each year, housing in Las Vegas during the SEMA Show has been known to sell out and may be limited. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and may be cancelled without penalty.

“SEMA Showgoers have options as to where to stay during the SEMA Show,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of hotels from which to choose, all at the lowest possible cost.”

Listed prices are all-inclusive and include resort fees (if applicable), so there are no added costs. With the average room rate from the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging site at $174 per night, compared to the prevailing $286 per night rate found elsewhere, guests save an average of $450 for four nights through onPeak. Additionally, complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the SEMA Show is available at hotels further away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, and onPeak agents are available to help Showgoers determine the best hotel for their needs, whether it’s distance from the Convention Center, amenities, parking costs or room rates.

“We strongly encourage Showgoers to secure their hotel rooms through onPeak,” Gattuso said. “Showgoers may be approached by other services, but onPeak is the only official SEMA Show housing provider that SEMA stands behind. Using other providers is risky.”

The 2019 SEMA Show takes place November 5–8, in Las Vegas.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers can secure convenient, affordable and reliable housing for the 2019 SEMA Show through the SEMA Show website.

SEMA is partnering once again with onPeak to provide SEMA Showgoers with convenient, affordable and reliable housing options for the 2019 SEMA Show. Available through the SEMA Show website, hotel room reservations may be made at nearly 40 hotels throughout Las Vegas.

With 162,000 industry professionals at the SEMA Show each year, housing in Las Vegas during the SEMA Show has been known to sell out and may be limited. Rooms booked through onPeak include guaranteed low rates, no hidden fees and may be cancelled without penalty.

“SEMA Showgoers have options as to where to stay during the SEMA Show,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Through onPeak, attendees have dozens of hotels from which to choose, all at the lowest possible cost.”

Listed prices are all-inclusive and include resort fees (if applicable), so there are no added costs. With the average room rate from the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging site at $174 per night, compared to the prevailing $286 per night rate found elsewhere, guests save an average of $450 for four nights through onPeak. Additionally, complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the SEMA Show is available at hotels further away from the Las Vegas Convention Center, and onPeak agents are available to help Showgoers determine the best hotel for their needs, whether it’s distance from the Convention Center, amenities, parking costs or room rates.

“We strongly encourage Showgoers to secure their hotel rooms through onPeak,” Gattuso said. “Showgoers may be approached by other services, but onPeak is the only official SEMA Show housing provider that SEMA stands behind. Using other providers is risky.”

The 2019 SEMA Show takes place November 5–8, in Las Vegas.