SEMA Names Big Industry Award Winners

SEMA presented its top honors Thursday night during the annual SEMA Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. More than 3,000 industry luminaries and business owners were in attendance.

Awards and winners included:

• SEMA Person of the Year: Melanie White – President of Hellwig Products
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Jon Pulli – CEO of Turn 14 Distribution
• SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Bob Cook Sales
• SEMA Distributor of the Year: Turn 14 Distribution
• SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Aeromotive Inc.

New SEMA Hall of Fame members Donnie Eatherly, Ed Pink and Chris Thomson were also honored, along with many industry leaders, rising stars and volunteers.

“The SEMA Awards Banquet is a highlight of the week,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “After several days of business at the SEMA Show, it’s a great time to switch gears and celebrate the passion that fuels the industry. The award winners are all examples of this passion and the innovation that we’ve seen all week. We’re honored to be able to recognize them with these industry awards.”

Melanie White – SEMA Person of the Year

White was recently named as the first woman president of Hellwig Products. Family-owned-and-operated Hellwig Products is one of the original SEMA Show exhibitors from the 1967 show at Dodgers Stadium. White began working at the company in 2005, but has been long associated with the company her great-grandfather founded in 1946, according to SEMA. White also recently assuming the role of Chair of the SEMA Cares Committee.

Jon Pulli – Gen-III Innovator of the Year

This 36-year old CEO of Turn 14 Distribution has reinvented the field of wholesale distribution by bringing new technologies and ideas to the space, according to a statement from SEMA. At Turn 14 Distribution, Pulli created a transparent, effective and efficient sales channel that allows manufacturers greater access to dealers.

Other Awards

Bob Cook Sales won the SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award, Turn 14 Distribution was named SEMA Distributor of the Year and Aeromotive Inc. was selected SEMA Manufacturer of the Year. According to SEMA, these awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils or board of directors’ participation.

For more information, visit SEMAShow.com or SEMA.org, or call the organization at 909-396-0289.