Congratulations to Edward Concialdi, material lifecycle analyst at K&N Engineering, for being randomly drawn from a list of more than 2,300 buyers and exhibitors who completed the post-SEMA Show Survey. The survey results are used internally to continuously improve what now is the undisputed largest automotive aftermarket show on the planet. Concialdi will receive two round-trip tickets on JetBlue, good to any destination in the continental United States where JetBlue flies.

Auto and specialty-parts industry Internet marketing agency AfterMarketer Club named Chris Ripper vice president and general manager, effective March 1. Ripper, who will report directly to AfterMarketer Club founder and CEO Brian Offenberger, was most recently the vice president of sales and marketing for Chux Trux Inc., a Missouri-based retailer of truck and automotive accessories. Ripper is also a Select Committee member for SEMA’s Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA), a member of SEMA’s Data Tool Design Task Force, a founding member of SEMA’s Suspension Task Force and is a consultant to the SEMA Education Institute.

SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) and WyoTech will host an automotive panel discussion, Wednesday, January 20, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, following the second day of the MPMC Media Trade Conference. MPMC members and media are invited to attend the panel discussion beginning at 7:00 p.m., which will feature top performance aftermarket industry leaders talking on future trends, technology and training. This moderated panel will challenge members to share their views on careers, new-product development, hybrids, future technology and more.

The event is free to MPMC members and media and will feature the following panelists:

• John Hurd, Campus President, WyoTech
• Doug Dwyer, Executive Vice President, Schiefer Media
• Doug Evans, Senior Vice President, Source Interlink Media
• Jeff Gerkin, General Manager, BMW South County
• Paul “Scooter” Brothers, Co-Owner, COMP Performance Group
• Kyle Fickler, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Weld Racing
• Steve Matusek, Founder President, Aeromotive
• Camee Edelbrock, Moderator

Even better, organizers will serve IN-N-OUT burgers, chips and drinks from 6:00 p.m. Museum tours are also offered from 8:00 p.m.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Building 3A, Pomona, California.

Can’t make the session? Tune into a live webcast of the event using this link. A replay of the panel discussion will
also be available through April 20.

Questions? Contact Camee Edelbrock, 310/466-0915 or e-mail camee@schiefermedia.com.

	Mark Sprague

Mark Sprague was promoted to corporate marketing manager for NGK Spark Plugs (USA) Inc.Sprague has been with NGK since 2003 and previously served as marketing manager for the Aftermarket Division. Prior to that, he served as product marketing manager. In his new role, Sprague will continue to oversee marketing and product functions for NGK.

Deeza Chassis Parts has signed agreements with three manufacturers’ representatives firms to help market its premium line of chassis parts for the global aftermarket. The companies are Dolan-Lynch Sales, Shane Brown & Associates and SPMI LP. Dolan-Lynch Sales will represent Deeza Chassis Parts in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. Shane Brown & Associates will represent the company in Florida. SPMI LP will represent Deeza Chassis Parts in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.

AMSOIL has partnered with Popular Hot Rodding magazine as the title sponsor the 2010 Engine Masters Challenge, an engine-building competition featuring some of the most prestigious builders from around the world. Set for October 4–8 at the University of Northwestern Ohio, entries are still being accepted with Popular Hot Rodding until February 15.

RCH Designs announced that it is the advertising agency of record for Rancho Suspension, Dynomax and Performance Exhaust. RCH will coordinate and execute media buy, ad insertion and ad creation for the three companies in 2010.

Jeff Vanlaningham

Jeff Vanlaningham was promoted to president of RealTruck. He joined RealTruck.com in 2007 as the vice president of operations. Vanlaningham joined the company having five years of experience as the director of marketing for an accessories manufacturer. Prior to being in the automotive aftermarket industry he worked at Merck and Kraft Foods.

Penray has promoted Howard Laga to president of Penray Companies Inc. In addition to managing daily operations for the company, Laga will oversee the daily business of Penray and direct the formulation and implementation of short- and long-term operational goals to meet business profitability and growth objectives. In addition, Laga manages the supply chain, from the purchasing function through manufacturing, as well as all aspects of finance, information systems and sales and marketing.

A-1 Automatic Transmissions is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010 and has moved into a new 15,000-sq.-ft. facility at 2826 Kauffman Ave. in Vancouver, Washington. Company founder, Marv “2-Speed” Ripes, is still active in the technical side of the company while day-to-day operations are handled by veteran racer Alan Bowdish and his son Adam.

Martins Industries launched a new website for its tire and wheel racking, handling and display division. According to the company, 16 new products have been added to the site, and it plans to introduce seven new products during the next two months.

	2010 SMS 620 Camaro

Steve Saleen launched the first official images of the 2010 SMS 620 Camaro at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 SMS 620 Camaro is the third and latest of the ultra-high performance automobiles produced by Steve Saleen’s company, SMS Supercars. The SMS 620 Camaro will utilize a 6.2L V8 engine featuring 575 hp and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, while the even more powerful 6.2L V8 of the SMS 620X Camaro, with all new internals and CNC headwork, delivers a stunning 715 hp and 700 lb.-ft. Both use the (patent-pending) SMS 296 Supercharger for their incredible horsepower and torque gains. Transmission options include a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual on both models.

BodyShop Business Publisher Scott Shriber was named the publisher of Counterman magazine and has been given additional responsibilities as publisher of aftermarketNews. Both are Babcox publications. Shriber joined Babcox in August 2008 as publisher of BodyShop Business magazine, a role that he will continue in addition to his new responsibilities withCounterman and aftermarketNews. Prior to joining Babcox, Shriber was national sales manager for OEConnection, and he spent 28 years with Ford Motor Co. in a number of positions of increasing responsibility.