SEMA Member News - September/October 2009
PRO
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| Diana Braschler of Dealer Source accepts the 2008 PRO Restyler of
the Year Award from then PRO Chair-Elect Karl Stearns at the 2008
PRO/TORA Industry Awards Reception at the SEMA Spring Expo and OFFROAD
event. PRO looks forward to presenting its 2009 awards this year at
November Fest, the inaugural PRO industry reception being held on
Tuesday, November 3, at the Las Vegas Hilton during the SEMA Show. |
As a result of recent elections, the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is proud to welcome five new members to the select committee.
“The Select Committee is extremely well-balanced, with representation from manufacturers, media, restylers and a WD,” said PRO Chairman Karl Stearns. “I am extremely enthused about working with this energetic, forward-thinking group of representatives from our industry.”
Jason Braun is the executive vice president of Meyer Distributing. In his own words, “I have diverse expertise in change implementation through my background in management and technology consulting and will apply this knowledge to help PRO evolve for the future.”
Brian Champa is the sales manager for Check Corporation (Seat Heaters). He also has experience in the parts and service divisions of several original-equipment manufacturers.
Mike Stanifer started in the industry as an installer in 1986 at the age of 18. From there, he progressed through sales, store manager and general sales manager positions. For the past six years, he has been director of sales and marketing for Innovative Creations Inc, an automotive accessories manufacturer.
David Stringer is president and founder of Insignia Group LLC, which supports manufacturers, warehouse distributors, installers and dealers with technology solutions and processes to sell more accessories. Not a typical car guy, Stringer entered the automotive business by leading the development of the first fully online automotive climate-control catalog in 2000—Primesourceauto.com. Stringer is a regular contributor/writer for Fixed Ops magazine and Dealer Marketing magazine. He has also held numerous training classes and best practices meetings since 2002.
Diana Braschler is the president of Dealer Source Ltd. in San Antonio, Texas. An active member of the restyling industry, she was presented with the Restyler of the Year Award in 2008.
Join PRO Members at November Fest
PRO will host an industry reception at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Dubbed November Fest by the organizers, the event promises to be a “must attend” for anyone in the restyling industry.
“This will be the first time in memory that PRO will hold a social event of any kind at the SEMA Show,” said PRO Chairman Karl Stearns. “PRO traditionally has held its reception at the SEMA spring event. The spring reception has also been the event at which we present our annual industry awards. But, since this year’s event was postponed indefinitely due to the economic downturn, we were left with the possibility of having no place to present our awards. The select committee agreed emphatically that this was not an option, as the awards are much appreciated by the membership and the industry. After checking the SEMA Show schedule and consulting with SEMA staff, we were given the go ahead to schedule a reception at the Hilton during the Show.
“Once we had a date and time locked up, we took the idea to the annual long-range planning session in Detroit in June. A task force was created specifically to address the reception, and that’s where the idea for November Fest took off. We know that we are competing with other receptions and events, and it is important to give ours an identity from the beginning. As of this writing, details on the exact agenda are still being worked on. But we will keep the membership posted with e-blasts, the PRO web page and announcements in SEMA eNews. Don’t forget, November Fest with PRO, Tuesday, November 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton.”
Annual PRO Awards Honor Restyling Industry Members
A highlight of the PRO November Fest reception at the SEMA Show will be the presentation of its annual industry awards.
The PRO Restyler of the Year Award was established to honor an outstanding restyler/installer whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and growth of the industry within the candidate’s community.
The PRO Manufacturer of the Year Award was established to honor an outstanding manufacturer in the restyling industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments have enhanced the stature and growth of the industry within the aftermarket community.
The PRO Nat Danas Person of the Year Award was established to honor an outstanding individual in the industry. This person’s creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments must have enhanced the stature and growth of the industry within the candidate’s community and nationwide.
The Jim Borre Lifetime Achievement Award was established to honor an outstanding individual in the restyling, trim or light-truck accessory industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national level have enhanced the stature of the industry while significantly contributing to the industry’s growth, progress and professionalism.