Dick was the first editor of the NHRA publication National Dragster, managing editor of Hot Rod magazine and executive editor of Motor Trend. He organized the National Street Rod Association and developed the concept of the Street Rod Nationals events. As director of special events at Petersen, he was also instrumental in the production of the first SEMA Show in 1967 at Dodger Stadium. He served as the executive director of PWA and SEMA; he has repeatedly been honored for his myriad achievements. He was SEMA Person of the Year in 1977, and received the International Specialty Car Association Founder’s Award in 1994. He was awarded the NHRA Pioneer Award in 2001.

A hot-rodding pioneer, his dedication to industry causes and many years of service on the SEMA staff earned Lou recognition in the industry Hall of Fame. He sponsored race cars, encouraged safety specs in all forms of racing, and was a reliable friend to everyone who knew him. He raced Southern California dry lakes before shifting to organized drag racing—at its start. Lou also ran one of the first dragstrips California. Eventually he built and owned several Top Fuel dragsters. Additionally, he served as SEMA’s Executive Director.

When a call goes out for someone to work on a special project, the caller is looking for someone like Murray Diamond, whose dedication to industry causes is rarely equaled. Murray was responsible for unprecedented contributions to the SEMA Scholarship Fund during his tenure as chair of the committee that managed the fund and its activities.

As a marketing guru, few can top Harvey Goldberg, a manufacturer's rep who, as a director of clients’ promotional programs, put many companies “on the map” in sales successes. Harvey’s company, Goldberg Marketing, set the style others would follow.

Joe founded Venolia Pistons, a company that designed and produced pistons and rings for all-out racing engines. But he is best known for the Funny Cars he sponsored in NHRA drag racing. It was the outstanding Candy Apple paint treatments on the cars that always got attention. Not long after he became a partner in what was then called Venolia Racing Pistons in the early 1960s, the company produced the first pistons that were forged rather than cast. Joe also had a partnership with Bones & Dubach, racing a 1933 Willys Gasser.

Ray started his career with his speed shop, Ray Brown Automotive, where he developed and marketed the first-ever lap-style seat belt sold for passenger car use. He maintained a career at Superior Industries International, a supplier of aluminum alloy wheels to General Motors and other carmakers. But he was also a racer, gaining Southern California Timing Association timing tags at the dry lakes with his legendary 1932 roadster, and he made history at Bonneville by running a Chrysler Hemi, making it a household word.

Carl’s colorful career spans the full spectrum of experiences in the performance and racing industry. He has driven a fuel dragster, served on the staff of SEMA as Technical and Legislative Director and on the Board of Directors, has promoted the sport of drag racing internationally, working as a consultant to race facilities, and serving as a vice president at the NHRA. Carl’s many accomplishments include a Winternationals title, membership in Cragar’s Five-Second Club for Top Fuelers and a place in history as the winner of the last drag race held at Southern California’s Lions Drag Strip.

Carl’s Dodge 426 Hemi-Powered AA/Fuel Dragster is proudly displayed at SEMA’s Headquarters, in Diamond Bar, California. This dragster is a thing of beauty both on and off the strip. Under the skilled hands of driver Carl Olson, the machine has run consistently in the six second area and has hit a flying 230 mph through the traps.

A longtime member of the staff at Chevrolet, Vince Piggins recognized the value to a carmaker of a good working relationship with the specialty automotive aftermarket. He encouraged small companies to design and market accessories for all car makes, but in particular, for Chevrolet. He is reportedly responsible for helping with development of the Camaro Z/28 package.

A longtime member of the TRW staff, Alan’s expertise was in the field of international trade, in particular the export of U.S.-made automotive replacement parts.

Dan Borré worked as a marketing specialist and was employed at Keith Black Racing Engines. Additionally, he generously has been a SEMA Memorial Scholarship subfund sponsor.