By SEMA Editors

	During the 2015 MPMC Media Trade Conference, journalists will have the opportunity to conduct private interviews with leading manufacturers.

The priority media registration deadline for the annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is Tuesday, December 16. Media who register before the early deadline will be able to obtain the best schedule possible.

The online registration form allows editors and reporters a chance to select the companies with which they wish to meet. A confirmation e-mail will automatically be sent to applicants, allowing them a chance to review the companies they are requesting to meet.

Complete details and registration is available at www.sema.org/mtcreg or can be obtained from Della Domingo at dellad@sema.org. For exhibitor information, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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 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 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

By SEMA Editors

Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and Product Development Programs, recently did a Q&A about the SEMA Garage with Dennis Pittsenbarger, host of the Discovery Channel production “Highway to Sell” at the 2014 SEMA Show. During the interview, Spagnola explained how the SEMA Garage is actually a new-product development center. Thanks to a variety of high-tech solutions for manufacturers, SEMA members can access CAD data from several OEMs, use a state-of-the-art FARO Arm to scan either a product or a section of a vehicle and even make a 3-D printout based on their design files.  
 
After the interview, stay tuned for a short highlight video of ZZ Top’s own Billy Gibbons as he tours the SEMA Garage. In fact, Gibbons’ own vehicle gets a touch-up thanks to the guys at SO-CAL Speed Shop.

By SEMA Editors

Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and Product Development Programs, recently did a Q&A about the SEMA Garage with Dennis Pittsenbarger, host of the Discovery Channel production “Highway to Sell” at the 2014 SEMA Show. During the interview, Spagnola explained how the SEMA Garage is actually a new-product development center. Thanks to a variety of high-tech solutions for manufacturers, SEMA members can access CAD data from several OEMs, use a state-of-the-art FARO Arm to scan either a product or a section of a vehicle and even make a 3-D printout based on their design files.  
 
After the interview, stay tuned for a short highlight video of ZZ Top’s own Billy Gibbons as he tours the SEMA Garage. In fact, Gibbons’ own vehicle gets a touch-up thanks to the guys at SO-CAL Speed Shop.

	Chip Rabey

By SEMA Editors

Chip Rabey Named Group Marketing Manager for Air Lift
Aftermarket suspension products manufacturer Air Lift Company has appointed Chip Rabey to group marketing manager. He will oversee the company’s marketing department to guide product promotion, marketing communications, new product initiatives and partner relationship development for the company's towing and performance vehicle products. Rabey brings 21 years of marketing experience to Air Lift, with previous posts in distribution, agency and trade association environments.

Flaming River Receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification
Flaming River has received certification for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems standards. By adhering to ISO 9001 quality standards, Flaming River’s manufacturing processes and products are certified to world-class specifications for quality, safety and efficiency. The ISO 9000 family of quality management system standards ensures that Flaming River Industries Inc. meets or exceeds customer needs and the standards of manufacturing excellence, as set forth by the guidelines of ISO 9000 and OEM standards per regulatory authorities.

Kelley Hendel

VP Racing Fuels Names Kelley Hendel General Manager of Consumer Products
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has appointed Kelley Hendel to general manager of consumer products. Based at the company’s corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, Hendel will oversee customer service and support for distributors, dealers and retail customers. Hendel has been with VP Racing Fuels since 1995, most recently managing operations and customer service for the seven-state Western sales region.

In a related move, Josh Hoffner has been promoted to office manager for the VP Western Region office, replacing Hendel. Hendel can be reached at 210-635-7744 or kelley@vpracingfuels.com. Hoffner can be reached at 951-696-5100 or josh@vpracingfuels.com.

AWDA Members, Suppliers Donate $45,000 to University of the Aftermarket Foundation
Distributors and suppliers participating in the 2014 Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Business and Education Conference made a sizeable donation of $45,000 to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. The funds will be used to support the foundation’s mission of providing educational scholarships to worthy students interested in pursuing careers in the auto care industry.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Automotive Distribution Network, Federated Auto Parts, National Pronto Association and Uni-Select each made a $10 donation for every one-on-one meeting held between their member distributors and vendor partners during the conference. Other participating distributors not aligned with one of these groups also committed to contribute.

Concurrently, many participating vendor companies, led by members of AWDA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council (MAC), each made a $25 donation per one-on-one meeting. The list of supplier donors includes: ADVICS North America, Affinia/WIX, Akebono Brake, Atsco, Bosch, Cardone Industries, Dayco, Delphi, Dorman, Dupli-Color, East Penn, Exide, Federal-Mogul, Fuse5, Gabriel, Gates, GB Remanufacturing, Innova/Equus, Interstate Batteries, Johnson Controls, KYB Americas, MAHLE, Mevotech, Motul USA, Moveras, NGK Spark Plugs, PlastiKote/Valspar, Plews & Edelmann, Prestone, Remy International, Remy/USA Industries, SKF USA, Standard Motor Products, Tenneco, Timken, Trico, Undercar Express, Valvoline, Veyance, Warren Distribution, Winhere Brake Parts and ZF Services. To learn more, visit www.automotivescholarships.com. 

	Michael Oakes

SLAMSTOP Announces Expansion, Appoints Michael Oakes VP of Business Development and Sales
SLAMSTOP announced that it’s expanding to the United States with a new headquarters, distribution center and certified installer network to position the product accessibly to businesses and consumers. The launch was influenced by the recent success the business experienced during the 2014 SEMA Show, where the company reported that it received ample positive feedback on the product.

Michael Oakes, now vice president of business development and sales at SLAMSTOP, explained the company is starting quickly with its U.S. company, SLAMSTOP USA LLC, with development of a Southern California-based distribution and customer service center, as well as an installation facility. Once completed, Oakes will join CFO Dmitry Iurgens and Director of Marketing Anton Dyshkant, as they continue to raise awareness about the SLAMSTOP.

Oakes comes to SLAMSTOP with more than 27 years in the automotive aftermarket industry. His background includes positions in retail management, independent sales and executive sales with some of the most well-known brands in the industry. At SLAMSTOP, Oakes will focus on management of the distribution network to expand the product and create awareness about its exclusive features.

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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

ARMSTRONG PASSES AWAY: Legendary NHRA crew chief and mechanical wizard Dale Armstrong died November 28 from complications of sarcoidosis at his home in Temecula, California. He was 73. As a driver, Armstrong won 12 NHRA national events—including three victories at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals—with a series of alcohol-burning dragsters, funny cars and altereds during the ’70s, but the ’75 Pro Comp national champion and former nitro Funny Car national record holder is perhaps best known for his many mechanical and technological breakthroughs while serving as crew chief for Kenny Bernstein.

D. SCHUMACHER RECOVERING AT HOME, ON ROAD TO RECOVERY: Don Schumacher is resting at home after successful surgery Wednesday to treat cancer at the back of his tongue and two lymph nodes. The owner of Schumacher Electric Corp. and Don Schumacher Racing underwent a six-hour surgery for Stage 1 Squamous cell carcinoma at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is now continuing to recover at home before any further treatments are considered.

"I just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for me and my family," he said. "There are so many wonderful people in our sport, and I can't tell you how much you all mean to me."

T. SCHUMACHER LOOKS BACK AT HIS RECENT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Tony Schumacher won a record eighth NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship with his U.S. Army dragster, buoyed by three wins in the six races of the Countdown to the Championship. He took part in a recent NHRA champions teleconference to discuss his season and the championship.

He Said, She Said

"Going up for the flight is really awesome. They have all these practiced procedures and moves they do and it's like clockwork. Then before you know it, you're airborne. I was thinking I'd be somewhat familiar with G forces as we experience 4.5Gs during a run, but that's nothing compared to pulling 9Gs through a long turn. When Maj. Fisher was so calm going through all these moves, I was thinking how incredibly exceptional these men and women are. To handle all that the plane is doing and then carry out a mission at the same time is so mind-boggling. What would it be like to be in a firefight? Just crazy. I've never been more proud to be an American."

—Top Fuel teamowner and racer Morgan Lucas on taking a ride with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds recently. Lucas strapped into the F-16 for the opportunity and was able to join the elite 9G club during his thrilling ride.

Inside the Numbers

5: Number of first-round losses that Shawn Langdon suffered during the 2014 season. He had the fewest first-round exits of any competitor in the Top Fuel category. His career low in first-round losses is four, which he recorded in his championship season of 2013. This year, Langdon finished fourth in points, and it was the third consecutive season he has finished in the top five in points. He has also never finished outside the top 10 in points in his career.

Did You Know

NHRA RACERS TAKE PART IN OPERATION APPRECIATION: NHRA racers Jason Line, Greg Anderson, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines, monster truck racer Dan Runte, NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart, along with Summit Racing Equipment dignitaries, are currently overseas visiting with American troops during Operation Appreciation. This long-running program is a way for the racers to give back to the troops who are protecting the country.

“I look forward to this trip. It isn’t very often that civilians are able to go behind the gates to say thank you to all of our troops who support us,” said NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Eddie Krawiec. “They put their lives on the line, and this is just a small thank you for that. It makes me feel good to be able to thank them personally.” Krawiec is actively Tweeting during the tour and his updates can be found @EddieKrawiec.