Let’s start with the nickname. “That’s a question that’s been asked of me more times than I can count,” Jeep Worthan said with a laugh. “My mom gave it to me as a baby, though she claimed she could never remember why. Maybe it was because I looked like one when I crawled around on all fours. Or maybe it had something to do with my conception.” He paused. “That usually gets a chuckle.”

Since he was old enough to walk, Paul "Scooter" Brothers has been hanging around cars. His father was a mechanic his entire life and, as a result, Brothers was exposed to the wonderful world of automobiles at a very young age.

At Car Craft magazine, Dick was lauded as one of the top advertising reps; later, he was owner of Van Cleve & Associates, a marketing and advertising firm. He also served many years on the staff of SEMA; his work with the SEMA Golf Tournament to benefit the Scholarship Fund stands out as a career achievement. Dick also served as SEMA Vice President of Marketing in the late 1980s, and he was a devoted volunteer to PWA, where he was a Board member.

In the automotive parts and accessories business, Jim’s known simply as a “doer,” one who gets the job done. Jim has had a long and illustrious career in the specialty automotive market—Jim Kerr & Associates was formed in 1967, and he owned and operated his own rep agency, serving with Hurst Performance and representing the likes of Mr. Gasket, Lakewood, Hooker and Eelco. Jim became a SEMA member in 1968, and was also an MRC Select Committee member.

Don "The Snake" Prudhomme is recognized as one of the greatest drag racers of all time. In 1962, Don first made his mark in motorsports when he won the Top Fuel class at Smokers March Meet in Bakersfield, California. One of the most popular celebrities in all of drag racing —and one of the winningest Top Fuel drag racers in the country in the mid-1960s—Don has driven dragsters and Funny Cars, but his Hall of Fame honor came as a result of his work through the years to achieve improved safety through chassis and equipment design standards.

As with so many of his associates in the specialty parts business, Dennis got his start because he had an interest in racing—drag racing to be specific. He owned a dragster that toured the NHRA circuit, and he later became involved in the international distribution of performance parts. Beyond his role as president of Direct Parts Inc., he has served many terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, was on the Executive Committee and many other SEMA committees, and acted as a consultant for SEMA on industry-related issues.

Charles R. Blum, CAE, was appointed president of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in July 1980, where he served 22 years at the helm, until his retirement in 2002. As president and CEO, Chuck was responsible for all operational aspects of the Diamond Bar, Calif.-based specialty automotive trade organization.