Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Jeramy Yeagley, an automotive technology student who is anticipated to graduate from UTI in February 2020, was presented with a $2,500 scholarship from Icahn Automotive. |
Icahn Automotive Expands Race to 2026 Technician Recruitment Program to Avondale’s Universal Technical Institute Campus
Icahn Automotive Group LLC has announced the addition of Universal Technical Institute’s (UTI) Avondale, Arizona, campus to its Race to 2026 initiative, which encourages more men and women to pursue viable careers in the skilled trades by partnering with technical training schools and offering scholarships, tuition reimbursement, creating apprenticeship and internship programs, job placement and continuing education opportunities. Icahn Automotive, Pep Boys and AAMCO leaders and technicians, and UTI administrators, instructors and students came together in Avondale to unveil classrooms updated with designs that incorporate images of the service brands. To celebrate the partnerships, Jeramy Yeagley, an automotive technology student who is anticipated to graduate from UTI in February 2020, was presented with a $2,500 scholarship from Icahn Automotive. Icahn Automotive has nearly 60 Pep Boys and AAMCO locations in Arizona, and immediate openings for automotive service technicians of all levels. The Avondale campus is one of 12 UTI locations across the nation, and offers a 51-week automotive technology training program, along with advanced and manufacturer-specific training. Icahn Automotive also offers a scholarship program that will soon award 12 scholarships to full- or part-time students enrolled in an automotive technician degree and/or certification program at a high school, college or trade school.
 This year’s vehicle wrap competition will run June 3–August 30. |
Avery Dennison “Wrap Like a King” 2019 Challenge Opens for Vehicle Wrap Submissions
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the opening of its annual Wrap Like A King Challenge. This year’s vehicle wrap competition will run June 3–August 30, and it will again include Regional Wrap Kings, Continental Wrap Kings and the crowning of the “King of the Wrap World.” Wrap installers from 53 countries across the world are invited to submit commercial, full print or color change wrap projects to be judged for the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes. The prize packages for 2019 are worth a combined total of more than $30,000. Participating nations make up 13 geographic regions across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and South Africa. The 13 Regional Wrap Kings will win nearly $2,000 worth of personalized marketing materials, Avery Dennison product, SEMA Show passes and more. They will then go on to battle for royalty on their continents. The overall winner will be chosen by the judges as the best in show and crowned the “King of the Wrap World” at the 2019 SEMA Show, November 5–8 in Las Vegas.
The 2019 Judges include: Justin Pate, The Wrap Institute, Global; Myles Kovacs, DUB Magazine, USA; Yianni Charalambous, Yiannimize, UK; Eddy Speelman, Speelman Graphic Applications, Europe; Molly Waters, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, North America; Peter Wright, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Australia/New Zealand; Sarel Krüger, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, South Africa; and Frank Marquart, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Europe. For more information, visit www.wraplikeaking.com.
 (L–R): Dave Schmolke, sales; Randy Hales, sales (senior management); Al Dulas, sales; and Tim Hales, vice president. |
Milltronics Names Hales Distributor Exclusive for Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwest Wisconsin
Milltronics USA has named Hales Machine Tool Inc. as its exclusive full-service distributor for the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwest Wisconsin, effective immediately. Hales will offer sales, service, parts, training and applications support for Milltronics customers in Minnesota. Ten industry veterans within the Hales service, parts and applications team have in-depth knowledge of machining, tooling, programming, fixturing and workholding. The company also has a 13,000-sq.-ft. building in Plymouth with showroom, parts, used machines and offices.
 Paul Marks |
Stertil-Koni Operations Manager Paul Marks Retires After 21 Years of Service
Stertil-Koni USA has announced that the Paul Marks, operations manager, has retired after 21 years of service with the company. Marks is succeeded by Doug Frakes, who joined Stertil-Koni following 10 years of experience with FedEx Ground. During Marks’ tenure at Stertil-Koni, he played a significant role in helping the company grow more than 50-fold to become a leader in the heavy-duty vehicle lift industry across North America. A retired U.S. Air Force officer with 26 years of service, Marks joined Stertil-Koni in 1998 as one of the company’s first employees. At the time, Stertil-Koni operated out of a small, one-room office in Ellicott City, Maryland, with only two employees—President Dr. Jean DellAmore and Marks. Marks played a substantial role in the company’s development, having overseen Stertil-Koni’s key operations and logistics associated with the delivery, receipt and shipping of its heavy-duty vehicle lifting systems and shop equipment.
 Tiffany Dorin |
Tiffany Dorin Reelected to SEMA Businesswomen’s Network
Battery-Biz, an employee-owned manufacturer of automotive accessories has is congratulating its national sales manager, Tiffany Dorin, who has been reelected as an official committee member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). The organization is a dynamic group of professionals representing the women of SEMA. Dorin was first elected to the committee in July 2015 for a two-year term and then reelected again in 2017. This recent reelection will mark Dorin’s third term and will extend through 2021.
 Liz White |
Liz White Joins Covercraft as ADCO National Sales Manager
Covercraft Industries has announced the addition of sales professional Liz White as the new ADCO national sales manager. White will work with dealers and distributors across the country to strengthen ADCO’s position as a market leader in the recreational vehicle protective cover marketplace. Additionally, White will manage ADCO’s Premier Dealer network.
CRC Industries Awarded Patent for GDI Cleaning Technology
CRC Industries Inc. has announced the issuance of US Patent No. 10,267,227 for its CRC GDI IVD intake valve and turbo cleaner. The patented technology includes systems for the reduction or elimination of intake valve deposits in gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and related methods, including the delivery device, conduit and actuator.
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.