SEMA Selects Kaminsky as Detroit Operations Manager by Della Domingo, SEMA
SEMA has announced the hiring of Benjamin Kaminsky as the new Detroit operations manager. Earlier this year, SEMA announced the purchase of a 45,000-square foot building in Detroit to be used as a second SEMA Garage. Kaminsky will be responsible for the overall management of SEMA Garage Detroit services and facilities to assist members with new product development and integration. “Benjamin Kaminsky will be a great addition to our SEMA Garage team,” said Mike Spagnola, vice president of OEM & product development programs. “He comes to SEMA with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and automotive aftermarket industry as an engineering and project manager having worked at both automakers and tier one suppliers.” Kaminsky will work closely with domestic and import OEMs, along with tier-level suppliers and testing facilities to ensure flow of
information essential to the industry’s accurate development of new and innovative products. They will also collaborate to develop opportunities that will benefit SEMA-member manufacturers.
Kaminsky’s experience will allow him to cultivate these relationships. Prior to joining SEMA, Kaminsky worked at General Motors as a senior design and release engineer. He oversaw the design, development, validation and release of Chevrolet Performance air intakes, exhausts and components for use in performance applications. He also worked closely with GM emissions compliance and le-
Crash Champions Hosts 10th Annual Make-A-Wish Foundation Fundraiser Crash Champions, LLC, one of the nation’s fastest growing independent collision repair companies, on July 28 announced its 10th annual Make-A-Wish Foundation golfing fundraiser has raised $15,000, the highest one-year total in the event’s history.
The event had 160 golfers hitting the links at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont, IL, to support life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, with funds raised through vendor sponsorships, golfer entry fees, a silent auction and raffle ticket sales. Participants included Crash Champions leadership, carrier partners, vendors and community members. “Since Crash’s earliest days, we have always prioritized our charitable giving and community-centered events,” said Crash
Champions Founder and CEO Matt Ebert. “Without question one of the most emotional events we hold each year is our MakeA-Wish golf tournament. We are honored to be associated with such a wonderful charity, and we are incredibly thankful to our partners and friends who, year after year, come back to raise money for these children.” Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 16,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with children in all 102 counties across the state. Life-changing wish journeys are made possible by dedicated staff and more than 1,000 caring volunteers who help each child discover, create, fulfill and experience the lasting impact of their most heartfelt wish. For information or to get involved, visit https://wish.org. For more information about Crash Champions, visit www. crashchampions.com. Source: Crash Champions
gal groups to ensure engineering hardware development and release processes consistently delivered products that met and exceeded regulatory requirements. Prior to GM, Kaminsky worked at Bosch Motorsport in a variety of roles, from senior technical engineer to hardware development manager. He managed a department of engineers to develop hardware components for the professional racing industry. “With his experience and solid OEM and tier supplier relationships, Ben will help the SEMA Garage Detroit best serve our manufacturer members,” shared Spagnola. The SEMA Garage Detroit will offer manufacturers access to advanced product-development tools and equipment, a state-ofthe-art emissions testing lab, an ADAS research and development center and expert technicians who will help bring products to market at the SEMA Garage Detroit. The Detroit facility will give aftermarket parts manufacturers access to sophisticated resources
that are typically accessible only to large-scale manufacturers. In addition to exclusive OEM measuring sessions, scanning services, advanced tools and equipment, a CARB-recognized emissions lab and a modern training center, the Detroit facility will include expanded services and offer new SEMA benefits through the ADAS Research and Development Center. “Being part of SEMA Garage provides me the opportunity to combine my engineering background, project management skills and relationships to make a difference in the automotive and automotive aftermarket industry,” said Kaminksy. “I look forward to working with SEMA manufacturer members and continuing my relationships with OEMs and tier suppliers.” The SEMA Garage Detroit facility is scheduled to be open for members in early 2022. For more information, visit www.semagarage.com. Source: SEMA
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