SEMA News—June 2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The 2014–2017 SEMA Board of Directors Candidates
Get to Know the Nominees
Manufacturers Category (one open seat available) Tim Martin—COO, K&N Engineering Inc. Rick Trudo—President/CEO, SCT Performance LLC Steve Wolcott—President/CEO, ProMedia LLC Distributor/Retailer Category (one open seat available) Greg Adler—CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts Larry Pacey—President/CEO, National Performance | ||
Voting for the 2014–2017 SEMA Board of Directors Election opened May 14 and will be available online until June 10. Voting is open to current SEMA members, and votes must be submitted by the designated primary contact of each voting SEMA-member company.
Winners will be formally introduced as the newest members of SEMA’s Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Gala in July. All industry professionals are invited to join the celebration and welcome the new Board members by attending the SEMA 2014 Installation Gala on Friday,
July 18.
For more information about the 2014–2017 SEMA Board of Directors election, e-mail Judi Ritchie at judir@sema.org or call 909-978-6671. Election results will be published in an upcoming issue of SEMA News.
The following pages include biographical information and statements from the candidates running for positions on the Board.
As a reminder, the remarks and opinions expressed by each candidate are solely his or her statements. SEMA does not take responsibility for the accuracy or content of any of the candidates’ messages.
The statements made by the candidates do not necessarily represent the views of SEMA.
Manufacturers Category (one open seat available)
Tim Martin
Thank you for taking the time to review the candidates for the SEMA Board of Directors’ election. I have been personally involved in helping to improve SEMA programs for many years, and I would appreciate your consideration in supporting my campaign for the SEMA Board.
SEMA brings together a wide variety of businesses and industry leaders to work together to improve and grow the specialty parts and accessories market. SEMA has tremendous resources and capabilities to help its members. I will work to improve programs that serve member businesses and help grow and protect our industry. This will include expanding marketing programs, growing our capacity to help with legislative and regulatory issues, improving industry collaboration and best practices, addressing new technological challenges and creating career-development opportunities for people in our industry.
I have worked at K&N Filters in a variety of roles since 1997. I am the chief operating officer at K&N, and I am responsible for manufacturing, purchasing, distribution, product data and information systems. I previously worked as a business process and software consultant and worked as an engineer for the U.S. Navy for 10 years. I have 25 years of experience in operations, engineering, information technology, marketing and management. I have extensive experience with aftermarket product data standards, technology standards, product testing and industry best practices. My education includes degrees in engineering and management.
I have served on the SEMA Board of Directors, SEMA Data Co-op Board of Directors, SEMA Business Technology Committee, SEMA Business Development Working Group, SEMA Garage Task Force, SEMA NextGen Working Group, SEMA Health Care Task Force, SEMA Fuel Economy Task Force and many other SEMA projects. I have been a speaker at SEMA seminars, Manufacturers’ Rep Network annual meeting, Performance Warehouse Association conference, AAIA/SEMA Aftermarket eForum conference and AAIA National Catalog Managers Association conference. I have also volunteered with a number of other professional and community groups. I enjoy a variety of motorsports, and I am married with four children.
I will work to improve SEMA, and I would appreciate your vote.
Rick Trudo
Most organizations resist change, but as SEMA members, we should embrace it. With change comes new ideas and fresh perspectives.
My name is Rick Trudo, and I embrace change. It would be a privilege to serve the SEMA membership on the SEMA Board of Directors.
I bring to the table many years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry and decades of experience in business as a consultant in the area of corporate restructuring and management.
As an active member of SEMA, I regularly travel overseas for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, the SEMA China Business Development Tour and am a regular face seen at most international SEMA functions. Through my efforts internationally, I helped earn SCT the prestigious Export Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2012.
You have many excellent choices in the upcoming SEMA Board of Directors election, and regardless of your selections, please make sure you vote and let your voice be heard. When you do vote, I would appreciate your consideration.
My objectives as a SEMA Board of Directors member:
- Offer a fresh perspective on ideas to the SEMA Board of Directors
- Help SEMA members utilize the tools and opportunities SEMA makes available to them both domestically and internationally
- Help SEMA-member companies take advantage of international markets and growth
- Assist SEMA in promoting a positive image of our industry with automotive manufacturers and government
Employment history:
- President/CEO of SCT Performance/Bully Dog Technologies, April 2006–present
- Owner of Innovative Consultant Group, January 1998–present
- Supervisor/manager of General Electric, January 1977–April 1988
Steve Wolcott
As a current SEMA Board member, I have worked hard for you and our industry. I am honored that both Scooter Brothers and Nate Shelton requested my service on their executive committees, through which I played a crucial role in the identification and launch of important industry initiatives designed to help our member companies prosper. I have been an outspoken Board member who has actively engaged with the association’s dynamic councils and networks.
As president and CEO of ProMedia, a company I founded in 1998, I’m proud to lead a team of enthusiasts who produce the NMRA, NMCA and NMCA West drag-racing series and publish Race Pages and Fastest Street Car magazines, which cater directly to the musclecar performance market. From 1994–1998, I worked for Petersen Publishing, eventually becoming the publisher of
5.0 Mustang & Super Fords and Max Speed magazines. I was honored to receive MPMC’s Media Person of the Year award in 2011 and have attended the SEMA Show since 1994. Due to my extensive motorsports experience, I’ve had the opportunity to work with more than 500 manufacturers and retailers. As a result, I encourage my ProMedia employees to participate in SEMA councils, as I believe that they are vital to the health of our industry. ProMedia is also a member of PWA in support of local speed shops and performance retailers.
As the only Board member whose company produces motorsports events, I will continue to provide SEMA with a unique perspective that contributes to making the most effective decision every time. SEMA must protect our industry and its reputation in the face of radical changes within the automotive segment. Technology, the Internet and social media are rapidly changing all industries. My experience will help SEMA ensure that our members are proactive and well prepared for these changes.
It’s been an honor serving on the SEMA Board of Directors since 2011. If re-elected, I will continue to put my 20 years of experience to work for you and our industry. I would appreciate your vote and will make every effort to live up to your expectations.
Distributor/Retailer Category (one open seat available)
Greg Adler
I am honored to be a nominee for the SEMA Board of Directors. If re-elected to the SEMA Board, I will continue to fight for truck and off-road members while making unbiased decisions that are good for the industry. The diversity of my business experience as CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts will be helpful to SEMA members:
- Retail—Overseeing the operations of more than 60 4Wheel Parts retail stores in 18 states provides an understanding of the needs of the store owner/manager
- Internet and Catalog/Mail Order—Understanding the Internet and how it impacts our industry, from data needs to search engines to social media
- Wholesale Distribution—Realizing the challenges that distributors and jobbers face in today’s changing environment
- Manufacturing—The Pro-Comp and Smittybilt brands were developed at Transamerican over many years. I understand the challenges manufacturers have today.
I grew up in this industry and have a passion for anything with four wheels and an engine. After earning an accounting degree and my CPA, I joined Transamerican, where my heart was. I began my career in store operations at a time when we had 15 stores. In 2000, I was promoted to vice president of sales and operations, and I became the CEO in November 2005.
In 2009, I joined the Board of Directors for the Off-Road Business Association, which fights for land use rights. I served on the SEMA Board of Directors from 2011–2013 and currently serve on the SEMA Data Co-op Board.
As a true enthusiast, I have been involved in off-road motorsports since the early ’90s. I began racing in the desert, but my focus today is in short-course off-road racing in the competitive Pro-2 class as well as competing in the King of the Hammers.
If re-elected, I will work hard to meet the challenges that face our industry, such as promoting the aftermarket to new customers, getting the next-generation enthusiast and fighting government regulations that stymie business.
Thank you for your consideration.
Larry Pacey
My 45 years of automotive experience began in 1969. I started National Carburetor Exchange in a 600-sq.-ft. building, rebuilding and installing carburetors in South Florida. In those days, I performed all operations of the business, from actually rebuilding the carburetors to sales and collections. Over a five-year period, the business evolved into a retail parts store handling a large number of performance lines in addition to the carburetor line. In a few years, the business had grown to become a warehouse distributor carrying all performance lines and selling wholesale only. The name was changed to National Performance Warehouse. Since 2008, the company has expanded to include locations in California and Canada. I personally understand the issues challenging our industry today.
My love for racing is well known. From 1969–1989, I won a number of AHRA and NHRA events at various times and was a national record holder in the AHRA, IHRA and NHRA. Racing continues to fuel the passion in our industry.
Industry involvement and service:
- AWDA Board of Governors, 2001–present
- PWA Board of Directors, 1996–present
- SEMA Board of Directors, 1994–1996
- PWA Chairman, 2012–2013
- AWDA Board of Governors, 1996–1999
- PWA Treasurer, 2006–2007
- Various PWA Committees
Industry recognitions: PWA Pioneer Award (2008), Inducted into Miami-Hollywood Speedway Hall of Fame (2013), NHRA Three-Time Divisional Event Winner, IHRA National Event Winner
I still live in South Florida with my wife of 39 years. My two sons, Chris and John, are also involved in the business. I am actively involved in the community; from 2000–2003, I was the head golf coach for Dade Christian School. I also presently serve as president of the Country Club of Miami Estates’ Homeowners Association and have done so for more than 10 years.
If elected, I would use my valuable experience gained from being on the boards of all three industry associations and my 45 years of managing a successful warehouse distribution business to represent you. Our industry will have many challenges over the next several years, and it needs hands-on leaders to ensure that all SEMA members are well represented.
I promise to work for you and ask for your vote.
