SEMA Member News—January/February 2013
YEN Presents Awards at Annual Reception
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2012 YEN Vanguard Award
The YEN Vanguard Award is presented to an individual, business, organization or sanctioning body that has had a positive affect on the careers of young executives within the automotive industry. The following criteria are used in determining each candidate: Must be a current or past member of SEMA (no age requirement), and must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity and business ethics. The Vanguard Award is presented to a person, company or sanctioning body that has influenced the professional growth and/or cultivation of talent for young executives through its actions, mentoring, visions and/or contributions for the past, present and future.
The nominees for the 2012 award included Doug Evans of Source Interlink Media, Dan Kahn of Kahn Media and Bob Keller of Turbonetics. The award went to Dan Kahn.
Kahn has spent his entire adult life working in the automotive aftermarket, first at the counter of a speed shop and then as an editor at several well-respected hot-rod magazines. He made the leap into social marketing and public relations when he founded Kahn Media in 2008.
Having attended 14 consecutive SEMA Shows and 11 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) conferences, Kahn is a firm believer in giving back to an industry that has provided him with so many opportunities. Kahn Media currently employs eight YEN members and two SEMA Businesswomen’s Network members, and SEMA volunteerism is encouraged and ingrained in the company’s culture.
Kahn also believes in providing opportunities to young enthusiasts, valuing passion for car culture and work ethic over formal training. That philosophy has created an award-winning team of marketers who represent some of the best brands in the industry, including Hurst Shifters, Flowmaster, Hedman, Hotchkis Suspension and HRE Wheels.
Kahn is currently the chair-elect of YEN and is working on several new programs that will put young executives in leadership positions as the new economy and diverse youth market make it more challenging for aftermarket businesses to grow and succeed.
2012 YEN Young Executive of theYear Award
The YEN Young Executive of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on the industry. The recipient of the award is chosen by how closely he or she meets the following criteria: Must be a member of YEN. Must have demonstrated exceptional service, integrity, professional growth and business ethics throughout the last 12 months. Must have demonstrated exemplary performance and/or provided growth for his or her company or industry through actions, visions and/or contributions for the present and future.
The nominees for the 2012 Young Executive of the Year Award included Matt D’Andria or Motorator, Chris Douglas of COMP Performance Group, Jim Liaw of Formula Drift, Dylan Sievers of Bulldog-Lighting, and Brock Weld of BMF Wheels Inc. The award was presented to Chris Douglas.
Douglas has been a member of YEN since 2005, serving on the Select Committee from 2010–2012. He is an annual attendee at the SEMA Show and the MPMC conference, and he attended the SEMA National Education Conference in 2007. He was the YEN Member of the Month in March 2010 and was a recipient of SEMA 35 Under 35 honors in 2012.
Douglas is a lifelong automotive enthusiast, racer and marketing professional who gives back to the automotive aftermarket industry by volunteerism and participating in SEMA leadership opportunities. Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the most accomplished professionals and brands in the industry, and he is passionate about ensuring that those same opportunities are available to the next generation of automotive professionals.
He lives just outside Memphis, Tennessee, with his wife Hailey, who is also an aftermarket industry professional, and their young son, Caden. When not traveling to automotive and racing events throughout the country, the new father enjoys spending time with his family, riding motorcycles and pursuing various outdoor activities.
Douglas looks forward to continuing his active participation in YEN, and he is focused on developing a strong working relationship between YEN and MPMC via his newly elected position on the MPMC Select Committee.