The Gen-III Innovator Award recognizes those who demonstrate creative, game-changing ways of doing business or who are producing novel products or services that are launching new trends. Limited to candidates age 40 and under, it celebrates the industry’s diversity of generations.

The creator of LumiLor Light Emitting Coating, Pete Gonzales is passionately driving the industry into the future, innovating in such a remarkable way as to garner attention and recognition not only in the United States but also abroad. His invention leverages “electro-luminescence” technology to create a paint that actually emits light, as opposed to reflecting it. In fact his company’s LumiLor product is the world’s first and only electro-luminescent paint. The light that LumiLor paint emits is visible at long distances and can even been seen through fog, snow and smoke.

The sky is literally the limit for this technology, as it’s already being used by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industries to create light-emitting exterior markings on its jets. LumiLor is also being used successfully in the automotive, architectural, transportation and emergency lighting industries. Of course, proper training for use of this extraordinary product is crucial, and Gonzales has also designed, developed and implemented a training program that makes understanding and applying this new technology easy and accessible for all who desire to utilize it.

A new product, increasing sales, a brand-new company, or possible expansion to new territory—those are just a few reasons aftermarket businesses seek out the skills of a manufacturer’s representative agency. Whatever the reason for turning to a manufacturers’ rep, however, the bottom-line goal is always the same: getting products into the hands of consumers.

With this particular award, SEMA recognizes the efforts of an agency that exceeds expectations with integrity and professionalism.

Looking at the longevity of its relationships alone, it’s readily apparent why Considine Sales & Marketing was named the Rep Agency of the Year. Some of the firm’s relationships with manufacturers span 10, 20 and even 30 years. In fact, Considine has represented one line, McGard, for 47 years—nearly as long as SEMA has been around. Such long-standing relationships with mainstay industry brands demonstrate the rep agency’s high level of service.

Today’s consumers expect immediate product availability, which means a warehouse distributor (WD) has to make parts move fast. Keeping the supply chain running smoothly between manufacturer and customer requires a greater degree of skill and management than ever before. That’s why every year SEMA honors those who go above and beyond industry standards in the name of distribution.

Meyer Distributing began as a small, family-owned business, and even though the WD has grown from one location with 15 employees to more than 800 employees in 65 locations, it has maintained a highly personal approach to business.

In fact, the company prides itself on utilizing its own fleet to deliver to all 48 contiguous states, keeping those all-important personal connections with customers. Moreover, the WD strives to maintain a family feel among employees as well.

As Meyer president and CEO Mike Braun (pictured middle) put it, “We never lose sight of where we came from.”

The Manufacturer of the Year award honors a company that demonstrates exceptional performance working with warehouse distributors, manufacturers’ representatives and others in the reseller community. The recipient is chosen for high standards of business practices, innovative processes and customer satisfaction that make it a leader in its field.

MagnaFlow is an exhaust-system manufacturer on the move. While other companies may be downsizing, MagnaFlow has done the exact opposite, investing more than a million dollars in new corporate facilities to house its manufacturing, R&D and corporate offices.

MagnaFlow leadership believes in investing in the company and its people. In fact, for many years, the company has been voted one of the top 10 best places to work in Orange County, California, a county boasting more than 91,000 companies. Moreover, the manufacturer’s track record with its industry peers is just as high-performance, as evidenced by multiple top manufacturer awards from a variety of distributors.

The award banquet’s festivities were also interspersed with the on-stage introductions of the 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees, who were officially installed this past July. The first to be again congratulated for his achievements was Doug Evans (pictured middle), owner of High Performance Advisors, and the immediate past chairman of the SEMA Board of Directors.

Evans has had an impressive career in the automotive industry, having spent more than 30 years as a senior executive at various publishing houses. However, it is his leadership and activism that have especially distinguished him.

As the immediate past SEMA Chairman of the Board, Evans guided the association on initiatives focused on youth outreach and legislation. He’s also served as chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition, is an advisor to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, and has volunteered as a judge for the annual SEMA Show Launch Pad competition. He has been a tireless advocate for the industry on legislative and regulatory matters.

Many in the industry are familiar with Robert E. Petersen, the 1981 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee responsible for launching many of the largest and most successful automotive magazine titles, including Motor Trend and Hot Rod.

What few people realize is that GiGi Carleton (pictured middle) worked side-by-side with Petersen and his wife Margie for nearly 50 years to create what was once called The Petersen Empire—and she can recall the earliest SEMA Shows, when exhibitors set up card tables and displayed handmade signs.

Today, Carleton serves as the president of the Robert E. Petersen Foundation, where she is committed to carrying on Petersen’s legacy in the automotive industry and philanthropic activities.

Passionate about cars and president of the car-care company founded by his grandfather in 1901, Barry Meguiar (pictured left) took the company from limited sales to a popular mainstream consumer brand.

But more importantly for the industry, Meguiar’s fun, family-oriented car shows and “Car Crazy TV” program, combined with his signature smile and infectious excitement for vehicles, has helped invigorate American car culture everywhere.

In addition to being one of the earliest exhibitors at the SEMA Show, Meguiar has given viewers an insider taste of the trade-only Show by filming “Car Crazy TV” from the annual event.

The impact of his work can’t be overstated: He has interviewed possibly every notable car or truck person imaginable, and he has spread the car crazy bug throughout the world.

During the awards ceremony, honorees of SEMA’s councils and networks were also applauded for their outstanding work and lasting contributions within their industry segments.

• Automotive Restoration Market Organization Person of the Year: Jeff Yager, Hemmings Motor News
• Emerging Trends & Technology Network Genius Award: Ken Farrel, FiTech
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance Industry Recognition Award: Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed & Engineering.
• Truck and Off-Road Alliance Influencer of the Year: Craig Perronne, Off-Road Adventures Magazine
• Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council Chairman’s Award: Steve Whipple, Edelbrock
• Manufacturers Representatives Network STAR Award: Bestop, Jim Chick accepting
• Professional Restylers Organization Manufacturer of the Year: Eastman Chemical Co., Eric Holmes accepting
• SEMA Businesswomen’s Network Athena Woman of the Year Award: Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports
• Wheel & Tire Council Hall of Fame Award: George Finch, The Carlstar Group
• Young Executives Network Vanguard Award: Paul J. McCain, Diode Dynamics

Custom Automotive Network: SEMA joined with CAN (formerly the Performance Warehouse Association) in congratulating Les Rudd of Bob Cook Sales, who was named CAN Person of the Year.