March 6, 2013—Automotive industry veteran Mike Spagnola will join the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as vice president of OEM and product development, effective immediately.
Spagnola has more than 40 years of specialty auto parts experience, including more than 20 years of product development and project vehicle work, SEMA said. Spagnola most recently served as president of Street Scene Equipment, where he managed the company’s day-to-day operations.
SEMA said Spangola will collaborate with the SEMA OEM and Vehicle Technology departments to heighten SEMA services, while serving as a resource and liaison for members and automakers.
“We’re excited to have Mike join SEMA in developing services that help members with product development and OEM initiatives,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. “SEMA’s vehicle technology and OEM programs, led by John Waraniak and Bill Wolf, have proven to be extremely beneficial over the years. Mike will work with our existing team to enhance and add to the services SEMA makes available to our members.”
Spangola will also oversee the new SEMA Product Development Center located adjacent to the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, Calif.
“I’ve personally witnessed the industry, particularly the product development process, change significantly over the years,” Spagnola said. “Through the use of new technology and partnerships, manufacturers can develop products faster, more accurately and less expensively than ever before. Programs such as SEMA’s Technology Transfer, Rapid Prototyping and Vehicle Measuring Sessions can all be enhanced to help our member companies make and sell more products. I look forward to developing tools and services to add to these programs and to educating members about how they work.”
Spangola has served on SEMA's board of directors for the past six years. He resigned from the board position in order to take on the new role.
