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.

John was with Hurst Performance in the 1960s as a factory representative. His innovative style of selling and serving customers resulted in an industry standard that is used today by reps in their service policies to clients. John also earned a reputation as a mentor and role model to members of the industry.

Bill founded Hays Clutches in 1958. His contributions to racing clutch technology are legendary, including safety issues and innovative performance on street and track. His clutch designs carried over into other lines. Bill was also behind the technologies at Centerforce. His innovations were lauded with the SEMA Best New Performance Street Product Award and Hot Rod Magazine’s Best New Performance Product Award (for the Dual Friction design), and Centerforce has won PWA Manufacturer of the Year.

Steve was founder and owner of Competition Specialties in Auburn, Washington, and was an active force in the industry. As Chairman of the Board of Directors of SEMA, he "took charge" and, working closely with then-President Charles R. Blum, encouraged unprecedented growth of the SEMA Show and the Association itself. Steve was an innovator, an enthusiastic supporter of racing and one of the performance industry's most dedicated entrepreneurs.

A respected expert in the automotive aftermarket, a dedicated supporter of specialty aftermarket industry causes, and a frequent contributor to SEMA projects and programs, Bob is also a former member of the SEMA Board of Directors. Patteri Sales, under his direction, is known for introducing specialty and performance lines into traditional automotive parts outlets, expanding the scope of the specialty industry throughout the aftermarket. Bob also founded the SEMA MRC Council.

As founder and president of Moroso Performance Products, Dick was an avid enthusiast, whose commitment to industry causes was matched by his support of racing and hot rodding programs and events. Dick saw much success as a Modified Production drag racer before making the switch to manufacturing speed parts, and worked hard to build awareness for the warehouse distribution network. Moroso racing products changed the industry, from revolutionary electric water pumps to racing vacuum pumps. The company also owns the Moroso Motorsports Park in Florida.