SEMA REVEALS INAUGURAL VISIONARY 8 HONOREES
-- SEMA highlights rising stars making a positive impact within the specialty
automotive industry --
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2024) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the recipients of its Visionary 8 honor program, recognizing rising stars who are making a positive impact within the automotive aftermarket.
New for 2024, the SEMA Visionary 8 program honors eight young professionals aged 35 and under who are on track to change and/or advance the automotive specialty-equipment market. Criteria include having active industry involvement and the demonstrated talent, innovation, integrity, success, and leadership that is needed to become a driver of the industry.
“This year’s honorees have a passion for the industry and a work ethic that is truly inspiring,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Jose Escobar. “We are proud to recognize their fresh perspectives, dedication to personal advancement, and out-of-the-box thinking that is pushing the industry forward.”
Each Visionary 8 recipient was recognized at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will be featured in an in-depth article in an upcoming issue of SEMA magazine.
The 2024 SEMA Visionary 8 are:
- Cavan Cameron, Car Designer and Student, Horizon Motorsports
- Joe Gregory, Project Engineer-TrailFX, LKQ Specialty Product Group
- Nicole Hamilton, Director of Marketing, Engaged Media
- Zack Hampton, Owner, Chromotize
- Melanie Henry, Communications and Traffic Manager, Martin & Company Advertising
- Solomon Lunger, Founder, Solos MFG
- Kevin Sayo, Founder, Dongar Technologies LLC
- Dan Ziegler, Business Partner Integration Manager, Turn 14 Distribution
“I'm honored. I've never won anything like this before,” said Hamilton. “This is a huge accomplishment for me and I'm very excited for it.”
Entrepreneurship, insight, integrity, responsibility, and demonstrated skill all weighed heavily in the judges’ decision-making process. Nominations for next year's SEMA Visionary 8 will open in Summer of 2025.
About SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates $52.3 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.
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SEMA recognized the winners of the inaugural Visionary 8 honor program, which honors young professionals aged 35 and under who are advancing the automotive specialty-equipment market, at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Photo: Visionary 8 Winners