Vlastuin enjoyed cruise-ins and car gatherings around his hometown in Michigan, back in the days when neon lighting and exterior accessories were the hot ticket for import cars. He owns a Toyota Matrix and found that others who attended the same events were in search of products similar to those that he was interested in. He began to rack down and offer accessories to his fellow enthusiasts, and he was soon running what was essentially a small business out of the trunk of his car.
Vlastuin enjoyed cruise-ins and car gatherings around his hometown in Michigan, back in the days when neon lighting and exterior accessories were the hot ticket for import cars. He owns a Toyota Matrix and found that others who attended the same events were in search of products similar to those that he was interested in. He began to rack down and offer accessories to his fellow enthusiasts, and he was soon running what was essentially a small business out of the trunk of his car.
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.
- California Customs Sport Trucks, located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is hiring a lead installer to install lift kits, wheels and tires and aftermarket performance parts and accessories on all makes and models of trucks and SUVs. The successful candidate must be ASE certified in suspension and steering, have extensive knowledge of the automotive aftermarket and more than three years’ related experience.
- Rostra Precision Controls, Inc., located in Laurinburg, North Carolina, is hiring a quality engineer to support quality assurance activities to improve customer satisfaction and successful achievement of company quality objectives. This position will be responsible for supplier quality development and maintenance, process quality control and monitoring and customer quality assurance maintenance and development. The successful candidate will have at least a two-year degree in an engineering-related field and three years’ quality-related work experience preferably in automotive Tier 1 or 2. Related experience in automotive electronics or electro-mechanical disciplines and a thorough understanding of GD&T and 2D CAD are required.
- JEGS Automotive Inc., located in Delaware, Ohio, is hiring a new product development buyer responsible for developing/managing a supply base of suppliers of raw material/metal forming/sub assemblies/hardware components, negotiating and executing long-term purchase contracts with key suppliers and product sourcing/developing private-brand goods. The successful candidate must have experience in product design/development, current knowledge of trends in the high-performance market, a strong background in procurement and high-performance auto parts experience.
- Husky Liners, located in Atlanta, is hiring a regional sales manager responsible for building relationships with and educating accessory retailers’ sales staffs and installers about the features and benefits of the company's products. The successful candidate will be an outgoing, results-oriented self starter with a track record of success in the light-truck accessory category.
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.
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| Visit WTC's website |
Wheel and Tire Council to Host Open Meeting and Industry Discussion in Southern California
Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage Industry Innovations Center for an industry discussion, Thursday, February 5, 2015, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
On the agenda is discussion of the “Ride Guide” promotional efforts and additional vehicle data being compiled, the latest news on Chinese tire tariffs, industry support of tire safety education and more.
This is members’ opportunity to let the council know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.
The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and the WTC are invited to attend the event. Register today [netforum link] to save your seat and submit discussion topics.
For more information about WTC or this event, contact Senior Manager of Councils Clayton Drescher.
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| Visit ETTN's website |
Social Media Strategies Summit
February 10–12, 2015, Las Vegas
SEMA application deadline: December 29, 2014
This conference is designed to address some of the common challenges marketing professionals face in social media, customer service, employee engagement and analytics. With seven hands-on workshops and 30 interactive sessions, the program will take a deeper dive into these topics. Attendees will gain a new perspective and develop the skills to better incorporate social media into their organizations.
99U
April 30–May 1, 2015, New York City
SEMA application deadline: March 24, 2015
99U is all about ideas. The conference presenters are some of the world's foremost authorities in the areas of research and idea execution, and they are dedicated to helping attendees take the next step in their plans. Master class offerings throughout the conference also allow participants to learn from the experts in smaller groups and develop invaluable leadership skills.
Disney Quality Service
September 23, 2015, Anaheim, California
SEMA application deadline: August 18, 2015
The Disney Quality Service course gives participants the background and skills needed to provide outstanding customer service. The one-day course takes a close look at the small details that make a big difference in the environment for both customers and staff. The course not only introduces attendees to the principles that Disney lives by but also provides resources for them to adapt the ideas to their own unique brands.
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| Visit MPMC's website. |
Voting Underway for Robert E. Petersen Award
The slate is set, and votes for MPMC’s Robert E. Petersen Award will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. (PST), Friday, January 9. The award honors a member of the print, electronic or broadcast media whose work over the previous year had a significant impact on the motorsports industry.
Members eligible to vote received an e-mail invitation from Jim Skelly via Survey Monkey. Vote today to ensure that your voice is represented.
The award recipient will be honored during the MPMC media reception, Tuesday, January 20, at the Media Trade Conference in Santa Ana, California. For more information about the award or the voting process, contact Council Director Jim Skelly.
The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:
As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.
Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.
For this year’s election, the following seats are open:
- One seat in the Chairman-elect category
- Two seats in the Manufacturer category
- Two seats in the Distributor/Retailer category
- One seat in the Services category
- There are no seats open in the Manufacturer’s Representatives category this year.
Nominations for the 2015 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.
A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO
The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:
As a member of the association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.
Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.
For this year’s election, the following seats are open:
- One seat in the Chairman-elect category
- Two seats in the Manufacturer category
- Two seats in the Distributor/Retailer category
- One seat in the Services category
- There are no seats open in the Manufacturer’s Representatives category this year.
Nominations for the 2015 SEMA Board of Directors are due Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.
A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.
Thank you for your attention to this important request.
Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO
Wilson talks about the creation of TRD in 1979, which was essentially a small speed shop in southern California, developing accessories for Celicas and Supras. About a year later, TRD reached out through grassroots motorsports, beginning with off-road racing and then the SCCA, an institution the company has supported for nearly 30 years. This approach helped TRD build a loyal, supportive enthusiast community while providing platforms for TRD to become more serious about racing.
Wilson talks about the creation of TRD in 1979, which was essentially a small speed shop in southern California, developing accessories for Celicas and Supras. About a year later, TRD reached out through grassroots motorsports, beginning with off-road racing and then the SCCA, an institution the company has supported for nearly 30 years. This approach helped TRD build a loyal, supportive enthusiast community while providing platforms for TRD to become more serious about racing.
Wilson talks about the creation of TRD in 1979, which was essentially a small speed shop in southern California, developing accessories for Celicas and Supras. About a year later, TRD reached out through grassroots motorsports, beginning with off-road racing and then the SCCA, an institution the company has supported for nearly 30 years. This approach helped TRD build a loyal, supportive enthusiast community while providing platforms for TRD to become more serious about racing.
SEMA News—January 2015
REQUIRED READING
Another Closing of Another Show
While the 2014 SEMA Show is now in the history books, highlights from the annual event live on as media coverage continues to highlight the vehicles, products and activities from the event. One consistent theme year after year is that the SEMA Show is a place for the industry to discover new automotive aftermarket trends.
As noted in the articles below, the 2014 SEMA Show featured trends in technology, styling and performance. Be sure to check out these articles for news on what the future has in store for the industry:
SEMA News—January 2015
REQUIRED READING
Another Closing of Another Show
While the 2014 SEMA Show is now in the history books, highlights from the annual event live on as media coverage continues to highlight the vehicles, products and activities from the event. One consistent theme year after year is that the SEMA Show is a place for the industry to discover new automotive aftermarket trends.
As noted in the articles below, the 2014 SEMA Show featured trends in technology, styling and performance. Be sure to check out these articles for news on what the future has in store for the industry:



The New York Times 