Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • ADVERTISE
    • AWARDS
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • DIRECTORY
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • Best Places to Work
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 23, 2014 02:00 AM

SEMA names four for Hall of Fame

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (May 23, 2014) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has selected four auto performance industry veterans — Nile Cornelison, Jim Cozzie, John Menzler and Fred Offenhauser — as its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees.

    The inductees will be recognized as part of the festivities during the SEMA Installation Gala on July 18 at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, Calif.

    Mr. Cornelison was involved in the industry as a machinist, racer, retail store owner and warehouse distributor (WD), which made him uniquely qualified to lead the industry in what SEMA called “unchartered territory.”

     In 1982, Mr. Cornelison founded Direct Connections Inc., now better known as DCi, which bridged the communications gap among different parts of the industry. Later he introduced the industry's first telephone-based dealer locator service, paving the way for electronic cataloging.

    Mr. Cozzie was the 2004 SEMA Person of the Year winner and served as SEMA chairman in 2008–09, the association said. As a key executive at RTM Productions and Brenton Products, he continues to amplify the industry's message through the programs they produce.

    Mr. Menzler of COMP Performance Group is described “as a person who loves the work but hates the awards.” SEMA said he has dedicated his life to his job and the industry, including being one of SEMA's most active volunteers. Mr. Menzler has been involved on several SEMA councils and committees, including charity projects to aid abused and chronically ill children.

    He was instrumental in establishing a number of valuable SEMA programs, the association said, including the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Day.

    He died in 2013 at age 67 after a prolonged battle with cancer, During that ordeal, Mr. Menzler continued to inspire and encourage with his “Mornings With Menzler” messages sent out regularly — often from his hospital bed. Such actions were typical of the man who was named 2011 SEMA Person of the Year and 2010 SEMA Mentor of the Year.

    Mr. Offenhauser began his career in the industry in the 1930s when he went to work for his uncle, SEMA said, who bears the same name — Fred H. Offenhauser.

    In 1944, he launched Offenhauser Sales Corp. and began making aluminum intake manifolds, which were sold in every speed shop and distributed by most major distributors over the years. SEMA said he was among the original charter members when SEMA was founded in 1963. Although he died in 1992, his company continues to manufacture and sell intake manifolds and operates out of the same building that the company has occupied since the mid-1950s.

    The SEMA Hall of Fame's four newest members join 143 previously inducted industry icons and innovators already in the Hall of Fame. To order tickets, visit www.sema.org/galatickets. For more information about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.sema.org/hof.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    TIA elects 6 new board members
    2
    Prinx Chengshan introduces two specialty tires
    3
    Goodyear, others take brand awareness to new heights
    4
    Goodyear, Fulda workers end talks without agreement
    5
    BTS donates $207k to Boys and Girls Homes of N.C.
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • ADVERTISE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • DIRECTORY
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
    • DIGITAL EDITION