SEMA, the trade association representing the $46.2 billion automotive specialty equipment industry, presented its top honors during a special SEMA Awards Celebration held Thursday night during the week of SEMA360.
Winners of the prestigious awards are:
- SEMA Person of the Year: Myles Kovacs, DUB Publishing Inc.
- SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Brendan McGrath, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
- SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: Redline Detection
Although unable to celebrate in-person in Las Vegas, hundreds of viewers watched on the SEMA Show YouTube Channel as the SEMA Awards Celebration took place online. The 50-minute program provided the industry, honorees, and friends and family with an opportunity to celebrate top leaders in the industry.
“Through these extraordinary times, we are honored to recognize individuals and companies that have met the challenges of this year and embody the spirit of our industry,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO, SEMA. “Now more than ever, it is important for our community to come together and celebrate our successes.”
The evening began by recognizing new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Jack Chisenhall, Vintage Air; John Gaines, G&M Performance Parts; and Joe St. Lawrence, RTM Productions.
Myles Kovacs, cofounder of automotive magazine DUB, received the association’s most prestigious award for SEMA Person of the Year. Kovacs founded DUB in 2000 and through “DUB Revolution” has transformed the way businesses approach and succeed in reaching the youth market. Kovacs is an avid supporter of SEMA and uses his influence to promote the industry. He has volunteered for and served on several SEMA task forces, including the Chair of the Gen-III Innovator of the Year task force, the SEMA Show committee, and as a SEMA Scholarship judge.
“I am just so thrilled; it’s emotional and overwhelming,” said Kovacs. “I’m being recognized by my peers and this is such a great industry to be a part of. And, they praise you for being different. That's what I love about SEMA.”
The SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year award was presented to Brendan McGrath, CEO of Dyme Performance Systems Inc. As founder of Dyme PSI, McGrath developed an industry world first product and has the opportunity to play a role in the disruption of supplying this multi-billion dollar commodity around the world in every industry, including medical, food, aerospace, oil/gas and, of course, automotive.
Along with the Person of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Redline Detection was selected SEMA Manufacturer of the Year. From the world’s leading OEMs to individual technicians, Redline Detection has built a global customer base for its professional-grade diagnostic solutions, as well as its ability to increase the bottom line for its clients. Redline's SpeedSmoke is just one SKU in its product lineup designed to pinpoint leaks in sealed systems within vehicles from naturally aspirated to turbocharged, diesel, and even boosted engines.
The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils, or board of directors’ participation.
