By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) has named Austen Knight, social media and partnerships coordinator at Antigravity Batteries, as the network's newest spotlight member.
Get to know Knight in his interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Austen Knight: Never let fear decide your fate. Things can be scary both professionally and personally; that knot in the pit of your stomach speaks up and makes you want to quit. Don't. That knot can often mean that you're doing something right--don't let it decide your fate. Take that calculated risk, do something different and trust that in the end, everything will be okay.
SN: What keeps you in the industry?
AK: The automotive industry is my passion and always has been. Even before my full-time gig was in the industry, I had many side jobs in the industry and always found myself doing something with cars. Fast forward to now, and it's no different; you will find me in my free time still enjoying car stuff, be that at a stage rally snapping pictures or turning wrenches on my own cars. The other aspect that keeps me coming back is the people; some of the best people I have met in this life have been through the industry, including many of my now close friends.
SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
AK: Last year would have been a mix of Formula Drift events, rallies and working on my truck. For 2025, I have a new rally-x car that I plan to race at DirtFish as my time allows around my work masters schedule.
SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
AK: Before an important meeting, I always review the topic of the meeting and spend some time researching it further on the internet in order to be familiar with the topic being discussed. I also make sure to take a few minutes to myself beforehand to center and be mentally checked in so that I am ready to listen and participate in the meeting.
SN: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?
AK: Jim Farley, hands down. I think I would thoroughly enjoy working with him at some point in the future based on what I know about him.
Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.