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2024 SEMA Hall Of Fame Inductee

 SEMA Hall Of Fame Inductee - Jon Wyly

Jon Wyly

SEMA

At a time when the industry was struggling with data due to the absence of an industry data standard, Wyly organized a group of SEMA members to define the problem via the SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC). The BTC evolved into the SEMA Data Co-op (now SEMA Data), which Wyly ran as the program's CEO for five years. SEMA Data is a key member benefit that offers manufacturers a way to better organize their data and drive business success. With a career spanning more than 40 years in the automotive aftermarket, including key roles in sales, marketing, e-commerce and business data management, Wyly also served on numerous SEMA task forces and work groups, including six years on the SEMA Board of Directors, and was named SEMA Person of the Year in 2005 in recognition of his contributions.­  

"I've had the good fortune to spend my entire career in an industry that I love, surrounded by talented, inspiring people," said Wyly. "Now, to find myself honored with induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame alongside many of my friends and heroes, is nothing short of amazing, and quite a humbling experience." 

2024 SEMA Hall Of Fame Inductee

 SEMA Hall Of Fame Inductee - Chris Kersting

Chris Kersting

SEMA

As SEMA president and CEO from 2002 until his retirement in 2022, Kersting led the organization through two decades of significant growth. During his tenure, he grew the globally recognized SEMA Show and bolstered the success of 6,000-plus SEMA member companies through innovative programs and services, including the SEMA Data Co-op (now SEMA Data), SEMA Garage & Emissions Lab, SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC), SEMA Ignited, SEMA Garage Detroit, and acquisition of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI). He also led the Association through times of difficult challenges, such as the 2008 recession and COVID pandemic.

Prior to his CEO role, Kersting led SEMA's Washington, D.C., office as vice president of government affairs, where he urged lawmakers to pass bills that protected the interests of SEMA member companies and challenged government regulation to maintain innovation and growth in the aftermarket industry. Association membership, approximately 2,400 when Kersting started, grew steadily during his tenure and topped more than 6,400 member companies at his tenure's end--a period of rapid growth for both the association and the industry.

"I feel so fortunate to have had a life-long career working with smart, interesting and good people," said Kersting. "SEMA's reason for existence was to help the people in this great industry and to give them tools and fuel to blast forward. I feel honored and humbled to have that work recognized."

eNews Article
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