SEMA Names Person, Innovator of the Year Award Winners
During the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, the organization announced the winners of two of its awards:
- SEMA Person of the Year: Josh Poulson, Auto Additions, Inc.
- Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Mike Burns, ValvoMax
Poulson, a frequent contributor to THE SHOP magazine and owner of Columbus-based restyling shop Auto Additions, was recognized for his volunteer leadership contributions, philanthropy, and overall influence on the industry, the organization said. He has been volunteering on the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) select committee since 2012. His years of advocacy for restylers and manufacturers to have a voice in the industry earned him recognition as SEMA PRO Restyler of the Year in 2012, and SEMA PRO Person of the Year in 2015.
As Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Burns, CEO of ValvoMax, is recognized for his outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils and overall participation, the organization said. The award is presented annually to a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger, who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities and advancements. He was a 2018 SEMA Launch Pad semifinalist for developing an oil change system that removes the hassle associated with traditional oil changes.
