On Monday, May 17, balloting opens for the SEMA Select Committee elections. The elections represent your opportunity to guide the direction of your SEMA councils and committees. Each SEMA council member company will receive one e-mail with instructions and links for completing an electronic Select Committee ballot. Only one ballot per company is e-mailed, and only one ballot per company will be recorded.
The e-mail ballot will be addressed to the person listed as your company’s primary council contact in the SEMA membership database. Balloting will remain open through Friday, May 28. If you think that you are the primary council contact and do not receive an e-mail on Monday, May 17, contact your SEMA staff liaison immediately.
TORA Select Committee Nominees and Bios:
Tom Brooks – Truckin Thunder Inc., INCUMBENT
I accept the nomination. My experience is summarized as follows:
• More than 30 years in the industry as a truck accessory retailer.
• Served on the Board of Directors for the TORA.
• Served a term on the SEMA Board
• Active in SEMA Cares Charity efforts while on the TORA Council
Thanks for the consideration.
Bill Cole – Yankee Customs Inc., INCUMBENT
I started Yankee Custom Inc. as an aluminum cap manufacturer in 1969. As fiberglass truck caps became more popular, I distributed them as well as the aluminum caps that I continued to manufacture. As the industry continued to grow, we became aware that we would all benefit if we developed an association. I served on the board of directors of the association for three years. As our industry developed I saw a demand for accessories other than truck caps so I stopped manufacturing aluminum truck caps and turned my attention to the retail and wholesale of truck caps and truck and suv accessories. Yankee Custom currently operates five facilities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine as well as a warehouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. We focus on the sale and installation of light-duty truck and SUV accessories both at the retail and wholesale level. The next few years will be the most challenging our industry has ever faced, I welcome the opportunity to serve on the TORA Select Committee to help our industry meet these challenges.
David Crockett – RBP/Rolling Big Power
During my time on the TORA Select Committee, I want to focus on issues that improve the return on investment for TORA members attending the SEMA Show, as well as what SEMA can do to help improve the light truck accessory market and the challenges it is currently facing. I also believe we as an organization need try to find ways we can assist members in getting more customers in the stores, which, ultimately, helps everyone in our industry in the long run. My SEMA and council activities include: SEMA member since 1990; YEN member since 2000; TORA member since 2004; YEN Select Committee member 2003-2006, Chair of the Rep of the Year Committee 2003; Chair of the WD of the Year Committee 2004; SEMA Young Executive of the Year 2004; and Silent Auction Task Force Chair 2005.
Fred Snow, US Aftermarket, INCUMBENT
I am currently a member of the TORA Select Committee, with the responsibility of being chair of the Education Sub Committee, and I have served on the YEN Select Committee as well. I have been awarded the YEN of the Year award as well as the AIA Young Executive of the Year award. I have been a life-long enthusiast and this passion has lead me to my current role as vice president of U.S. Aftermarket for Hella. I want to assist this industry which I love and feel that participation in TORA is one way to do this. I feel that TORA needs to launch programs that benefit all members. My current goal within TORA is to help bring educational opportunities to TORA members that are easy to use and bring value.
Melanie White - Hellwig Products Company Inc., INCUMBENT
I am the marketing manager and national sales representative with Hellwig Products, helping the company with diversified suspension products for the automotive aftermarket. TORA is a niche in this industry that I'm very passionate about. I have served on the TORA Select Committee for the last two years, and I'm so excited about the new projects our committee is currently working on. Please vote for me so I have the opportunity to continue to help with these exciting new projects. Some of my SEMA and council credentials are: chair of TORA Communication task force; served on TORA membership and suspension task forces; TORA long range planning participant for five years; YEN member with committee involvement; served on PRO council communications task force; SBN member since 2006; participant in SEMA mentor/mentee program for five years and nominee for Young Executive of the Year in 2008.
Jesse Rohr – MBRP Performance Exhaust
I am looking for nothing more than to give back to an industry that has giving me so much, an industry that has provided me a way to express my passion for vehicles, an industry that provides me with the tools to support my family. I’ve had the privilege of working in this industry in four distinct positions that have helped me become a well rounded and understanding person in my position. These positions include: store manager of one of America’s largest automotive retail stores; vice president of sales and marketing of a large internet retailer; manufacturer’s representative to more than 35 factories; and eastern North American sales director for a manufacturer. I believe this experience will allow me to bring new insight and understanding to the needs of an ever-changing market. I am willing to fully commit to the challenges and requirements that this committee demands and in doing so, will always put forth the effort needed to complete said items to the best of my abilities. Thank you for your consideration, and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Isaac Ronquillo – Big Country/Go Rhino! Products
I believe that supporting SEMA’s councils is important to the success and growth of our industry. It is through these councils that vitally important work is being done to address issues specific to the various niches that our association encompasses. Over the past 15 years, I have had experience as a retailer and buyer as well as my current duties as a manufacturer calling on customers ranging from small jobbers to large distributors. Due to the multi-faceted nature of my experience, I feel well qualified to bring a broad prospective that will benefit the council. As an automotive enthusiast, it would be an honor and a privilege to serve this council as well as this industry that has provided so many opportunities for us all.
Steve McEnany – Midwest Wheel Company
It is an honor to have been nominated for the WTC Select Committee. I
am currently the vice president of marketing and technology for Midwest
Wheel Companies, an Iowa-based heavy-duty truck parts and light-truck
accessory distribution company.
I have served on the Council of Fleet Specialists (CVSN) technical task
force to develop an affordable EDI solution for the heavy-duty
aftermarket. Midwest Wheel is in a leading role in the implementation
of EDI and vendor managed inventory with our suppliers. Midwest Wheel
also earned the Manufacturer & Distributor Technology Partner of
the Year award during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) in 2009.
With my background in the light-truck and heavy-duty aftermarket, I can
bring a rich sense of perspective to the council and ask that you
support my candidacy.
Tim Stewart – K&N Engineering
Thirty years in the automotive aftermarket, including OE dealership, mail-order and manufacturer. Currently the director of merchandising for K&N Engineering. Also working closely with high-profile Internet/mail-order customers across the country.
Trace Walls – Jim Wrobleski & Co. Inc.
Trace Walls has been in the automotive aftermarket industry for 24 years and for the past nine years he has been working as a manufacturer's sales representative for Jim Wrobleski & Company. He would like the opportunity to join this committee and bring his experience and knowledge of the industry to help promote ideas and insight between the manufacturer and the distributor. Walls has achieved numerous recognitions, which include the SEMA Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year Award in 2001; the Magnaflow Exhaust Products Rep Group of the Year Award in 2005, 2007, and 2009; the EGR Rep Group of the Year award in 2005; Extang Corporation’s Presidential Award for Rep Group of the Year in 2007; and personally achieved the PUTCO Industries Rep of the Year award in 2004. In October, 2008 Walls completed the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation program becoming an accredited Certified Sales Professional (CSP).