This summer was a busy one for the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), with the usual council events plus a few changes. The new select committee terms began on July 1. In this year’s election, HRIA welcomed back four incumbents: Scott Bowers (Ron Francis Wiring), B.J. Elmore (Ridetech), Jeff Major (Bed Wood and Parts) and Angela Schoof (TEN: The Enthusiast Network). In addition to these veteran HRIA leaders, Carmen Bélanger-Martin of AM Hot Rod Glass joined the team.
Breaking news from SEMA members, including Wes-Coast Marketing, Holley Performance Products, Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Flex-a-lite, Fidanza Performance, The Society of Collision Repair Specialists and more.
Eleven industry professionals are vying for positions on the 2012–2015 SEMA Board of Directors.
Nineteen industry professionals are vying for a position on the 2011–2013 SEMA Board of Directors. The SEMA Board provides strategic direction to the association and plays a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Election materials were mailed to the primary contacts at eligible SEMA-member companies within the corresponding categories May 17. The voting process, which is entirely electronic this year, will be ongoing until voting closes June 14. Election results will be published in an upcoming issue of SEMA News.
A few years ago, SEMA and its Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) worked with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to develop an industry testing practice for aftermarket wheels. SAE J2530 (Aftermarket Wheels Performance Requirements and Testing Procedures) outlines performance and sampling guidelines, testing procedures and marking requirements for aftermarket wheels used on cars, light trucks and multipurpose vehicles. The document identifies three main areas of testing, including cornering and radial fatigue and impact strength. A manufacturer can purchase J2530 specifications from SAE and test at its own internal lab or at any testing facility of its choosing, so long as that facility maintains the necessary equipment to perform the tests.
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George Lathouris was chosen as the chair-elect for the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) and will succeed Kelly Kneifl when the latter's term expires. Lathouris is currently the senior category manager for Keystone Automotive's wheel and tire division and has spent the past 31 years in the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
Lathouris began his career working in a warehouse for American Speed Equipment on Long Island, New York, and worked his way to the position of national sales and advertising manager. He opened warehouse distribution in Colorado for Dick Cepek in 1992 and became the company's purchasing manager in Los Angeles in 1994. He then moved back to the East Coast in 1995 and became the eastern regional sales manager for Deflecta Shield and, eventually, Lund Industries. He took a position as national satellite sales and national sales manager for Keystone Automotive in 1999, which led to his current position.
Lathouris was approached several years ago by Ron DiVincenzo and Charley Holden to get involved with LTAA, since lifted trucks and Jeeps had long been his passion in the business. He has served the LTAA for the past four years and is proud to have been selected as the council's chair-elect. SEMA Member News recently spoke to him about his goals for the coming term.
ARMO Chairman Jim Barber recaps the council's New Products Showcase at
Carlisle, as well as educational programs specific to the restoration
industry and sponsorship opportunities for council members at the 2009
SEMA Show.
“Where do I begin?” This is a question we inevitably ask ourselves at one time or another, usually when presented with far too many options or an abundance of information.