For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Della Domingo, SEMA: 909/978-6723, dellad@sema.org
Elizabeth Weigandt, Ford: 313/845-4147, eweigand@ford.com
Build Team Finalized for SEMA Mustang Build
Powered By Women
-- Vehicle
Transformation Begins July 9;
Final Vehicle Debuts Oct. 31 at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada --
Diamond Bar, CA (July 9, 2012) - The all-female build
team is now finalized for the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Starting in
July at Source Interlink Media's Southern California headquarters, the team of
technicians, enthusiasts and industry personnel will work together to customize
the 2013 Ford Mustang GT donated by Ford Motor Co., the title sponsor of the
project.
The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) assembled more than 30 women for the team that will install 50-state, street-legal aftermarket parts provided by SEMA-member manufacturers and suppliers on to the Mustang GT. The team will transform the vehicle into the winning black chrome satin luxury Mustang concept known as "High Gear," which was designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and was chosen by Source Interlink Magazine readers and fans in June. The completed vehicle will be auctioned off on eBay Motors with proceeds being donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kellie Colf, SBN Assembly Coordinator and President of Colf Creative Resources, said, "I am thrilled to be working with such a talented team of women. There are SBN members coming in from all corners of the industry, with all levels of expertise and it's amazing to witness. The best part is that I get to work with other like-minded female gearheads, build an amazing car and help fund scholarships for future industry leaders all at the same time!"
The following women from the SBN will lead their respective teams during each phase of the build in El Segundo, CA. For more information about the women behind the project and the manufacturers supporting them, visit www.sema.org/SEMAMustangBuild and follow the build at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.HOTROD.com starting July 9, 2012.
Powertrain Team: JoAnn
Bortles, Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Waxhaw, NC
The SEMA Mustang Build was a brainchild of JoAnn Bortles after she participated
in a successful all-female motorcycle build. Bortles has more than 30 years of
experience as an award-winning custom painter, airbrush artist,
welder/fabricator, photojournalist and is the author of six books. In addition
to having owned a Mustang repair shop in the early ‘80s, she is one of the
first women to own and operate a custom paint shop in the United States.
Paint/Body Team:
Theresa Contreras, L&G Enterprises, San Dimas, CA
With a background
in graphic design, Theresa Contreras' vast experience includes vehicle design
concepts and renderings, with a specialty in custom painting. She's been
featured numerous times in paint tech articles and recently participated in an
episode of "Car Warriors," where she was the first female team leader. During
the competition, Contreras led her team to victory with their 1970 Chevrolet
C-10.
Undercarriage Team:
Mollie Lewis, All in the Wrist Auto and Diesel Repair, Albuquerque, NM
Mollie Lewis has
been in the automotive/diesel service and repair industry for 25 years.
Her certifications include: EPA Certification Refrigerant and Reclamation and
Handling, MOOG Alignment Certification and No Code Diagnostic Strategies. As an
ASE certified technician, Lewis is well equipped to lead the team of women who
will install the aftermarket exhaust, suspension, wheels and tires.
Interior & Stereo
Team: Kristin Cline, Cie Studios, Long Beach, CA
Kristin Cline's
automotive experience began when she acquired her first classic car more than
six years ago. Cline is comfortable working on various years/makes/models of
vehicles and maintains her own blog about the automotive hobby at
greasegirl.com. She is also a founding member of the Gasoline Girls car club
where she shares her knowledge and encourages other women to get their hands
dirty in the garage.
Quality Inspection
Team: Jennifer LaFever, RoushYates Racing Engines, Mooresville, NC
Jennifer LaFever
has been in the automotive industry for several years and has earned a Bachelor
of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and attended Universal Technical
Institute for automotive technology and motorsports. LaFever's expertise is in
component inspections, mathematical calculations and diagnostics with a strong
understanding of electronics.
The SBN Vehicle Build Task Force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki
(Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor
Company), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media
Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan
Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene), Joel
Ayres (Bedslide) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).
About Ford Motor
Company
Ford Motor Company,
a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or
distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and
about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and
Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please
visit http://corporate.ford.com.
About the Specialty
Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
SEMA, the Specialty
Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $29.99 billion
specialty automotive industry of 6,383 member-companies. It is the
authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information
for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance,
performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and
recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley
Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit
www.sema.org
or www.enjoythedrive.com.
About Source
Interlink Media
Source Interlink
Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media in the United
States. With more than 75 publications, 100 Web sites, 800 branded products,
50+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content
to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, home theatre
and other niche activities. The division's strategy is to wholly focus on
targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading
brands through a multiplatform media approach.
About the SEMA
Scholarship Fund
The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next
generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards
range from $1,000 - $2,000, with $4,000 going to the top student. Assistance is
available for career paths in the automotive industry in accounting,
administration, advertising, design/graphics, engineering, information
technology, manufacturing, photo/journalism, race car driver/crew,
sales/marketing, technicians and transportation.