SEMA Councils and Committees Honor Excellence, Dedication

The SEMA Show serves as the backdrop for several of SEMA council and committee receptions, allowing members the opportunity to network with peers and honor companies for business excellence and significant contributions. Following is a breakdown of all of the council and committee awards presented during the week of the 2009 SEMA Show:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

• Business of the Year: National Parts Depot
• Person of the Year: Jim Menneto, Hemmings Motor News
• Restoration Event of the Year: Fall Hershey by the Antique Automobile of America

For more information on ARMO, contact Nathan Ridnouer or visit the council’s website at www.sema.org/armo.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• Business of the Year: Lokar Inc.
• Industry Recognition Award: Ross Ortman, Dakota Digital Inc.
• HRIA Hall of Fame Awards: Art Morrison and Jerry Kugel

For more information on HRIA, contact Nathan Ridnouer or visit the council's website at www.sema.org/hria.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

• TORA Best New Product Under $500 (chosen from new products at the SEMA Show): Weathertech, Multifit Cargo and Trunk Liner
• TORA Best New Product Over $500 (chosen from new products at the SEMA Show): Undercover, SE Tonneau
• Ron Webster Award (chosen from new products at the SEMA Show): Bolt, One Key Lock Technology Padlock
• TORA Retailer of the Year: The Truck Outfitters
• TORA Hall of Fame: Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply
• TORA Chairman’s Award: Ron DiVincenzo, Cap World

For more information on TORA, contact Jim Skelly or visit the council’s website at www.sema.org/TORA.

Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC)

• MRC Hall of Fame: Bob Cook, Bob Cook Sales
• MRC STAR (Sales Team Annual Recognition) Award: Magnaflow Performance Exhaust

For more information on MRC, contact Staci Bostock or visit www.sema.org/mrc.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• Jim Borre Lifetime Achievement Award: Ellen McKoy
• PRO Restyler of the Year: Joey Johnston, Tops and Trends (award sponsored by Insignia, Simplified Accessory Sales)
• PRO Manufacturer of the Year: Katzkin Leather Interiors Inc. (award sponsored by Grote Industries)
• Nat Danas Person of the Year: B.J. Leanse (award sponsored by Truck and Auto Customizing magazine)

For more information PRO, contact Jim Skelly or visit www.sema.org/pro.

Street Performance Council (SPC)

• SPC Person of the Year Award: Michael Ferrara, DSport
• SPC Industry Icon Award: Kipp Kington, KTC Media
• SPC Business of the Year Award: Eibach Springs Inc.
• SPC Presidents Award: Shaun Carlson

For more information on SPC, contact Jason Tolleson or visit the council’s website at www.sema.org/spc.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• WTC Lifetime Achievement Award: Dick Horasian
• WTC Hall of Fame 2009 Inductee: Dick Horasian

All past WTC Lifetime Achievement Award winners were inducted into WTC Hall of Fame established in 2009. Past recipients of the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award newly inducted into the WTC Hall of Fame are:

• Greg Weld (2008)
• Louis Senter (2007)
• John “Ed” Hill (2006)
• Frank Duca (2005)
• John Arthurs (2004)
• Joe Suddreth (2003)
• Jim Kavanaugh (2002)
• Art Hale Sr. (2001)

For more information on WTC, contact Jim Skelly or visit www.sema.org/wtc.

SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN)

• Woman of the Year Award: Laurel Dasher, Superchips Inc.
• Athena Award: Lyn St. James
• Mentor of the Year: Jason Bruce, advanced FLOW engineering
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Linda Vaughn

For more information on SBN, contact Nathan Ridnouer or visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• Young Executive of the Year Award: Lee McGuire, Skyjacker Suspensions
• Vanguard Award: Chris Thomson, AIRAID Filter Company

For more information on YEN, contact Jason Tolleson or visit www.sema.org/yen.