By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced in Connecticut.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced. Under the bill, the personal property tax on vehicles eight years old and older would be changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000. Antique, rare and special-interest vehicles may be negatively affected by the bill. These vehicles are currently valued at a $500 assessment, which results in a reduced tax.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced in Connecticut.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced. Under the bill, the personal property tax on vehicles eight years old and older would be changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000. Antique, rare and special-interest vehicles may be negatively affected by the bill. These vehicles are currently valued at a $500 assessment, which results in a reduced tax.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced in Connecticut.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles has been introduced. Under the bill, the personal property tax on vehicles eight years old and older would be changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000. Antique, rare and special-interest vehicles may be negatively affected by the bill. These vehicles are currently valued at a $500 assessment, which results in a reduced tax.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Advanced Clutch Technology Hires Nye & Associates Inc. Advertising Agency

Advanced Clutch Technology has hired Nye & Associates Inc., a full-­service advertising agency specializing in providing marketing solutions to accessory and aftermarket manufacturers. In business for 38 years, over the past decade, Nye & Associates has shifted its focus to helping manufacturers navigate the sea of marketing options that exist today, including digital and traditional. The agency will assist Advanced Clutch Technology with marketing projects, including overall branding, media planning, creative, sales tools and more.

	Chris Ostrander

AP Exhaust Technologies Appoints New CEO and President

AP Exhaust Technologies has announced the appointment of Chris Ostrander as chief executive officer and president. Evangelos Proimos will continue as executive chairman working directly with Ostrander on developing the company’s strategic vision, organic and acquisition growth initiatives and customer relationships. Ostrander joins AP Exhaust with more than 16 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket and OEM industries. In his most recent role, he served four years as senior vice president and president of the Americas at Cooper Tire & Rubber. Prior to Cooper, he led multiple business units and sales organizations at Eaton Corp.

Inaugural Petersen Invitational at the Thermal Club, February 21–22

A fundraiser for the Petersen Automotive Museum, the private Thermal Motorsports Club near Palm Springs, California, opens its gates to enthusiasts later this month. Participants can test the Porsche Cayman S, Lexus RC F and Lotus Evora, plus ride in a Lamborghini Super Trofeo. "Driver" tickets include bring-your-own-car track time. The hosted cocktail party and dinner will honor Danny Sullivan. More information is available on Petersen's website.

Edelbrock Renews Contingency Agreement With the United States Modified Touring Series

Edelbrock LLC has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship agreement with the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) for the 2015 race season. Edelbrock has been an official USMTS contingency sponsor since 2013. Edelbrock will again support the USMTS with gift certificates for weekly heat races and supply cash rewards to the first-, second- and third-place national drivers at the year-end awards ceremony. 

Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels to Sponsor Four Elite B.A.S.S. Anglers

In addition to the company’s role as a 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series, Opens Series, B.A.S.S. Nation and Bassmaster College Series event sponsor, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, has announced today its sponsorship of four of the series’ most elite anglers: Greg Hackney of Gonzales, Louisiana, a 138-tournament angler; David Walker of Sevierville, Tennessee, a 120-tournament angler; J. Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Georgia, a 103-tournament angler; and Cliff Pirch of Payson, Arizona, a 32-tournament angler.

	Randy Fisher

Torklift International Launches Resale Pricing Policy

Torklift International has announced the implementation of a Resale Price Policy (RPP) this week in order to protect product integrity and dealer margins at the request of hundreds of dealers and distributors.

“The policy goes into effect on Valentine’s Day,” explained Randy Fisher, Torklift International’s national sales manager. “This policy will require that certain Torklift products cannot be sold below a specified dollar amount.”

The lines included in the policy are FastGun turnbuckles, SpringLoad XL turnbuckles, Derringer Handle turnbuckles, AnchorGuard turnbuckles, SuperHitch 20k, SuperHitch 30k, SuperTruss Extensions, StableLoad, PowerArmor, Wobble Stopper, Fortress Gas Lock, GlowSteps, GlowGuide handrails and steel and aluminum Talon Tie Downs.

“Dealers who wish to become a Torklift Authorized Reseller can sign up no later than April 15, 2015,” Fisher said. “This gives a 60-day grace period for dealers to review and sign up.”

Fred Offenhauser	Nile Cornelison
Jim Cozzie	John Menzler

SEMA members have the opportunity to submit their nominations for the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame. The award has been established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

The 2014 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees included Fred Offenhauser, Nile Cornelison, Jim Cozzie and John Menzler.

Please take a moment to review the Hall of Fame website and SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame form by Wednesday, March 18, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

Fred Offenhauser	Nile Cornelison
Jim Cozzie	John Menzler

SEMA members have the opportunity to submit their nominations for the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame. The award has been established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be to ask yourself the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

The 2014 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees included Fred Offenhauser, Nile Cornelison, Jim Cozzie and John Menzler.

Please take a moment to review the Hall of Fame website and SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame form by Wednesday, March 18, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill to permanently set the Section 179 deduction at $500,000. The House is expected to pass America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 in the coming days. The legislation will then be referred to the U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee, which is currently pursuing comprehensive tax reform.

The House bill permits small businesses to write off 100% of their capital investments, up to $500,000, in the year the purchase was made. Because Congress only extended this provision retroactively for tax year 2014, companies are currently limited to expensing purchases up to $25,000 in 2015 and future years. The legislation also increases the number of companies eligible to take the full write off by increasing the amount a business can invest in equipment from $200,000 to $2 million. The $500,000/$2 million deduction caps would also be tied to the rate of inflation starting in 2016.

The legislation would remove small-business uncertainties about tax deductions when making long-term investments. SEMA has joined with more than 150 other groups representing various small-business interests to support this legislation. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill to permanently set the Section 179 deduction at $500,000. The House is expected to pass America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 in the coming days. The legislation will then be referred to the U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee, which is currently pursuing comprehensive tax reform.

The House bill permits small businesses to write off 100% of their capital investments, up to $500,000, in the year the purchase was made. Because Congress only extended this provision retroactively for tax year 2014, companies are currently limited to expensing purchases up to $25,000 in 2015 and future years. The legislation also increases the number of companies eligible to take the full write off by increasing the amount a business can invest in equipment from $200,000 to $2 million. The $500,000/$2 million deduction caps would also be tied to the rate of inflation starting in 2016.

The legislation would remove small-business uncertainties about tax deductions when making long-term investments. SEMA has joined with more than 150 other groups representing various small-business interests to support this legislation. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• An automotive aftermarket company in Chicago is hiring an experienced regional account manager to cold call and source new customers within the territory. Proven technical selling skills with strong product knowledge, aftermarket warehouse and/or speed shop counter experience is a plus. This position will require travel 50% of the time.

• Vision X Lighting, located in Auburn, Washington, is hiring a sales/account manager to maintain an active list of customers, add new customers and seek out new sales opportunities in new markets. This position will require trade show attendance and travel to customers to provide training. Knowledge of Intuit QuickBooks is preferred.

• TPM Distributing, located in Lakeland, Florida, is hiring an inside salesperson. The successful candidate should be a truck enthusiast, computer savvy and have 3–5 years' minimum in customer service and telephone sales experience.

• Engine and Performance Warehouse, located in Denver, is hiring an outside sales representative to manage the territory for growth and maintain customer relationships through sales calls. The successful candidate must have the ability to identify, then match customer requirements to products and programs. Previous sales experience is required with service in the automotive aftermarket industry desired. Office time is occasional and daily travel is typical.

View more listings from SEMA's Automotive Classifieds listings.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit ARMO's website.

ARMO's Hot Products Showcase will take place April 23–25, 2015, at Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Register Your Restoration Parts for the Hot Products Showcase

• Be the product of an ARMO-member company.
• Be available for sale (market-ready) by the opening of the Showcase, April 23.
• Demonstrate unique/innovative technology and/or be a benefit to the restoration industry.

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Visit ETTN's website

Improve Your E-Commerce Skills at a Discount

Applications are being accepted now through March 16 for a second ETTN Professional Development Program. The Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE), will take place June 3–4, 2015, in Chicago. On its own, the costs associated with this conference could prove prohibitive for members, but through ETTN, participants receive a specially negotiated registration rate, and the company of the participating employee receives a $500 grant from SEMA to assist with registration (all benefits received are considered taxable income). IRCE, a two-day conference, originally cost $1,095. Combining the negotiated rate and SEMA grant, ETTN members save 80% and pay only $216 for registration.

IRCE is in its 11th year and is largely considered to be a flagship event of the e-commerce industry. Each year, more than 10,000 attendees travel to Chicago to hear from more than 200 expert speakers representing all areas of the industry. This year, exciting speakers include top executives from Target, 1-800-Flowers.com, QVC and more. In addition to the educational opportunities, the 250,000 sq.-ft. exhibit hall presents more than 600 companies in the e-commerce solutions industry.

Applicants may be selected to attend one of three conferences in 2015, along with SEMA staff and a group of nine other network members. The first conference selected was the Social Media Strategies Summit, which will take place in Las Vegas, February 10–12. Later in the year, a third group of members will learn customer service and engagement skills at the Disney Quality Service course.

To learn more about the program and apply, visit the ETTN Professional Development Program homepage or contact Senior Manager of Networks Bryan Harrison.

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Visit HRIA's website

Tammy Holland	John McLeod

Hot Rod Council Extends Reach Under New Leadership

By Amanda Gubbins

In January, the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) transitioned to new leadership, with John McLeod leading the charge as chairman. McLeod is the owner of Classic Instruments, based in Boyne City, Michigan, a manufacturer and seller of custom instrumentation for automobiles and boats. Before entering the automotive industry, McLeod was a police officer for 16 years.

McLeod’s right hand for the next two years will be Tammy Holland, who was recently appointed chair-elect. Holland has been with the COMP Performance Group for 17 years and is currently in sales and communications for the company. She also has several years of council and network experience with SEMA, having served previously as chair of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN).

When reflecting on what first drew her to the automotive industry, several experiences come to Holland’s mind.

“I grew up in a little bit of everywhere as a Navy brat. One of the things that we used to do was go mudding. My dad always worked on cars. Probably one of the bigger influences was a date, who took me to a drag race. That was the first real drag race I’d ever been to,” she said.

McLeod and Holland both believe it’s important to make the group open and inviting to newcomers, be they recent graduates or someone getting a later start in the industry. McLeod describes this outreach as an information bridge.

“I call it Futures in Hot Rodding because it’s not just the youth; it’s anybody who is interested in our industry who wants to be part of it.” He continued, “We still need people on the floor, but we also need owners, accountants, sales staff, janitors and assemblers. It really is big and if anybody has an interest in vehicles, we’re interested in you.”

Holland echoed this sentiment, “We both want to get rid of the stereotype that you have to be over a certain age to be a part of the HRIA. No, hot rodding is for every age group.”

An immediate step forward, council members can expect to see some new faces at HRIA’s Education Day, which is held annually at the Detroit Autorama and allows hot rodders and retailers to receive free product training from the manufacturers themselves. For the first time, school instructors and their top students are invited. In the future, McLeod also hopes to make the content available to members who are not able to make the trip to Detroit. For now, Education Day registration is open, and members are invited to learn more on HRIA's webpage.

McLeod believes attending Education Day is a first step in making the most of council membership, “We really need people to get involved. We’ve had too many people sitting on the sidelines for too long. We all need to start throwing in and growing our industry.”

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Visit TORA's website.

Truck Industry Professionals Connect in Indianapolis

By Clayton Drescher

Members of SEMA’s Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and professionals in the light-truck industry are invited to a happy hour and TORA mixer at the Slippery Noodle Inn, Indiana’s oldest bar, Monday, March 2, from 6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. The Slippery Noodle is just around the corner from the Indiana Convention Center, host to the NTEA Work Truck Show that week.

This is a great opportunity for local members and those in town for the NTEA Show to network, unwind, grab a bite and a drink, and learn about what SEMA and TORA are doing to strengthen and support the light-truck industry. The elected volunteer leaders of the TORA Select Committee will be there to hear input from membership about upcoming strategic planning meetings and answer questions regarding the council’s activities.

All professionals in any aspect of the light-truck industry interested in learning more about SEMA and TORA are invited to attend the event. Questions? Contact Clayton Drescher at 909-978-6696 or RSVP online.

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