SEMA News—July 2018
By SEMA News Editors
A YEN News Report
Welcome New Select Committee Members
 The Launch Pad crowd at the 2017 SEMA Show attentively watched as the competition proceedings unfolded. | |
The Young Executives Network (YEN) select committee results are in. Starting on July 1, Stephanie Ortega of SNUGTOP and Jim Mascola of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. join the YEN select committee as its newest members. Incumbent Tim Kawasaki of Wheel Vintiques was also elected to a second term. Welcome aboard!
SEMA Launch Pad Is Underway
In other YEN news, it’s the time of year again to vote for your favorite SEMA Launch Pad competitor. Powered by YEN, Launch Pad is the premier automotive business competition that provides entrepreneurs between the ages of 18–39 an opportunity to introduce their emerging products before an audience of thousands of people at the SEMA Show.
There are currently 15 semi-finalists competing for a chance to present at the 2018 SEMA Show and win life-changing prizes, including a $10,000 grand prize. Only the top 10 finalists will make it to the Show, so be sure to place your vote. The voting period starts on July 30 and ends September 6.
View this year’s contestants at www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you’re planning on attending the SEMA Show this year, stop by the Westgate Theater on Monday, October 29, from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., and join the roaring Launch Pad crowd.
Networking Opportunities for Young Professionals
If you are a young professional or executive working for a SEMA-member company and you haven’t made it a point to join YEN, you’re missing out. The best way to learn about the network is to connect face-to-face with its members. There are plenty of regional networking opportunities throughout the year. Here’s a look at all the events the network has lined up for the rest of the year:
- July 20: YEN regional meet-up at Formula D in Seattle
- July 25: General membership teleconference
- September 14: YEN meet-up at Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa, California
- September 29: YEN meet-up at the Off-Road Expo in Pomona, California
- October 29: SEMA Launch Pad at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas
- October 29: YEN midyear meeting at the SEMA Show
- October 29: YEN general membership meeting at the SEMA Show
- October 30: YEN reception at the SEMA Show
- December 6: YEN networking meet-up at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis
Other events always pop up throughout the year. Stay up-to-date on YEN via www.facebook.com/semayen.
YEN Member Spotlights Share Words of Wisdom
To increase awareness of top young professionals who are actively involved in the network, YEN regularly highlights its members on Facebook. YEN Member Spotlights are a great way to get to know fellow members and learn about their secrets to success in the automotive industry, as each is asked a handful of questions regarding his or her career. The answers are often insightful and always interesting. Just look at some excerpts:
“‘Find a career doing something you love, and you will never work a day in your life.’ I sought a career in this industry because of my passion for everything automotive,” said Nick Caloroso of Diode Dynamics when asked about the best advice he ever received.
“Product data! Better data increases efficiency, reliability and overall performance of everybody involved,” noted Johannes Crepon of Velocity Automotive and Paramount Data Management when asked about the biggest trend in the industry.
“I am always looking for an opportunity to better myself. I pride myself in staying up-to-date on trends in the marketplace and listening to people’s ideas,” said Jonathan Barber of Bob Cook Sales when explaining his success in business.
“On time and prepared,” said Tim Kawasaki of Wheel Vintiques when asked to fill in the blank to this phrase: “When going to an important meeting, I am always….”
If you would like to get to know these members along with other YENsters, join the network. Learn more at www.sema.org/yen.