Record high voter turn-out ushers in five new board members

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (July 3, 2008) - Results of the 2008-2009 SEMA Board of Directors election are final, with five individuals joining this esteemed leadership group. The new members in the manufacturer category are Ron Funfar, Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt; BJ Leanse, Big Country Truck Accessories; and Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems. The new members in the distributor/retailer category are Luanne Brown of eTool Developers and Ed Orzetti of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.

Incumbents Chris Thomson of AIRAID Filter Company (manufacturer category) and Ralph Accinno of Racer's Equipment Warehouse (distributor/retailer category) were re-elected to the Board.

The SEMA Board of Directors for the 2008-2009 year will be as follows:

                Chairman: Jim Cozzie, Zoom Performance Products
                Chairman-Elect: Rick Rollins, Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting

                Ralph Accinno, Racer's Equipment Warehouse
                Gale Banks, Gale Banks Engineering
                Luanne Brown, eTool Developers
                Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc.
                Larry Erickson, Ford, Strategic Design Studio
                Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media
                Ron Funfar, Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt
                Dennis Gage, "My Classic Car," Bradley David Productions
                Anne K. Johnson, AKJ Consulting
                BJ Leanse, Big Country Truck Accessories
                Tony Napoli, American Speed Center
                Ed Orzetti, Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.
                Bill Perry, Bill Perry & Associates
                Richard Sherman, Baer Brake Systems
                Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment
                David Stutts, Hot Rod Air Inc.
                Chris Thomson, AIRAID Filter Company
                Mark Toebben, DCi, Direct Communications Inc.
                Tim Watts, Superlift Suspension Systems
                Van Woodell, Weathers Auto Supply
                Jeep Worthan, Auto Meter
                Dave Wrobleski, Jim Wrobleski & Co.

"We all owe a debt of gratitude to the individuals who serve as volunteers on the SEMA Board of Directors," said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "These are individuals who demonstrate dedication and leadership, and they give their knowledge and expertise to help make the industry strong and successful."

The SEMA Board of Directors is credited with identifying ways to help companies in the automotive specialty-equipment industry succeed and prosper. The SEMA Board of Directors is a guiding force behind key programs aimed at advancing the industry.

The entire SEMA membership votes and influences the future of the market. SEMA's membership delivered the highest voter turnout ever, with a 71% response rate in the manufacturer category and 62% in the distributor/retailer category.

"The election process gives everyone in the industry the opportunity to affect change," said Kersting. "We're pleased to see so many members taking an active role in the process, and we hope that they continue to turn to the Association as a resource."

For the first time in SEMA history, the Board of Director's ballots were made available to the membership electronically, giving them the ability to cast their votes conveniently and easily from the computer.

The newly elected members will take the oath of office just prior to the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, taking place Friday, July 25, 2008, in Irvine, California. Also during the event, outgoing members will be recognized, and the new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees will be honored. Outgoing Board members are: Matt Agosta from Steele Rubber Products; **** Hill from Centerforce Clutches; Patrick Judge from Keystone Automotive Operations; Bill Wagner Jr. from Winfield Consumer Products/Husky Liners; and Jon Wyly from Arrow Speed Warehouse.

To learn more about the event, visit www.sema.org/gala.

Founded in 1963, SEMA represents the $38.1 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry and has 7,094 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit http://www.sema.org/ and http://www.enjoythedrive.com/.

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