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Mike Spagnola

Mike Spagnola is the CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI), a position he has held since 2022. A strong leader with hands-on business management experience in retail, distribution, and manufacturing, Spagnola has logged more than 40 years in the specialty auto parts arena, including more than 20 years of ownership in several automotive companies.

Spagnola joined SEMA in 2013 as vice president, OEM & Product Development Programs. In that role he oversaw the SEMA Garage - Product Development Center in Diamond Bar, Calif., and developed and managed the SEMA Garage near Detroit, Mich.

Prior to joining SEMA, Spagnola served as President of Street Scene Equipment, where he managed the company’s day-to-day business for 16 years. His experience working with OEMs building concept and project vehicles has led to more than a dozen design awards and extensive media recognition. Spagnola also served two terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, chaired the SEMA Scholarship Committee, and was the Association’s Person of the Year in 2010.

Spagnola is passionate about ensuring that the Association gives back to the community by helping bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. He’s credited with creating SEMA’s annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show ‘N Shine Car Show charitable events (now called the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags), which have raised thousands of dollars for charity.

Spagnola is also a racer, having raced competitively in SCCA and off-road.

When he’s not spending time with his wife, three children and five grandchildren, Spagnola enjoys collecting and restoring cars.

Tom Gattuso

Tom Gattuso has been involved in producing automotive events for more than 20 years and currently serves as SEMA's Vice President of Events. With a background in both trade and consumer shows, Gattuso brings a unique perspective to building the optimal environments to connect people within the automotive industry. Throughout his career, Gattuso has had a role in every aspect of event production from sales to marketing to operations to management and has lead teams that turn show concepts into reality. A consummate student of shows and events, he also serves on volunteer Boards for the Trade Show industry on both the regional and national level.

Gattuso holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing and English from James Madison University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council or Network Update

Need PPE? SEMA Members Have you Covered

SEMA member companies shifted their business operations to manufacture personal protective equipment and now want to help aftermarket companies return to work safely.

 

SEMA has special advantages for members attending the 2026 SEMA Show who are registered as buyers (retailers/WDs/jobbers). If you are a member and registered as a buyer for the Show, be sure to wear your MBR pass to take advantage of the following:

MBR Lounge

Exclusive access to the MBR Lounge (located within the SEMA Members Lounge - North in the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, Room N251): You'll enjoy complimentary coffee and a place to connect, refuel and recharge Tuesday-Friday during Show hours.

MBR Taxi Line

Available from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Tuesday-Thursday) and 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Friday).

Free Professional Headshot

SEMA is offering a free professional headshot to MBR members. This is great for updating your LinkedIn profile!

SEMA Membership at the Show:

While you are the SEMA Show, we encourage you to connect with SEMA's Membership Director to answer any of your questions about Membership or other services and programs we offer. Contact AJ Carney directly at 909-978-6697.

MBR hard cards and lanyards will be mailed to pre-registered SEMA-member buyers in mid-October. If you don't receive your MBR card and lanyard, you can pick one up at the MBR Lounge welcome desk in the SEMA Members Lounge - North (Room N251), located upstairs from the Grand Lobby.

See you at the show!
 

Questions? Contact AJ Carney, the director of Membership, at ajc@sema.org or 909-978-6697.

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and First Data have teamed up to help improve your business by offering these great benefits:
  • Accept all major debit and credit cards including Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover® Network
  • Competitive pricing transactions
  • With Electronic Check Acceptance® (ECA), get instant approval and electronic deposits for check transactions
  • Help build customer loyalty and profit by offering gift cards
  • Full service debit/ATM transactions, e commerce and virtual terminal applications
  • Access to merchant account information through a secure and innovative Internet based reporting tool
  • 24/7 customer service

 

Learn more or to enroll, contact:
Ken Keifer, First Data Senior Account Executive
(424) 903-6877
Ken.Keifer@Firstdata.com

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Questions regarding your SEMA membership? Contact AJ Carney, Membership Director at 909-978-6697. 

Member Testimonial

I was referred by a representative of SEMA to Ken Keifer, senior account executive. Ken has been with First Data for almost 2 decades and is very well versed in the industry. Ken has been and continues to be instrumental in my understanding of MC/VISA and the standards of Credit Card Processing. Ken made it easy for me to navigate the program and also understand my rate structure. He makes himself available to any support needs I may have and I especially appreciate his honesty. They have been a valuable partner to our business, and we strongly recommend them for all merchant credit card processing.
Raymond Andrade
24 Hour Recreational Storage

Member Testimonial

We got better information, greater access and our credit card processing costs dropped by more than half.
Brian Allen
CFO, Portofino International Trading USA, Inc.