CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Wade Kawasaki, president and chief operating officer of Coker Group, has started his two-year term as chairman of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) board of directors.
Mr. Kawasaki has been a SEMA member for more than 35 years, and previously served on the board of directors for three consecutive terms. He has spent the last two years as the chairman-elect after winning the election in 2015.
His two-year term as SEMA chairman will continue through July 2019. He will continue as president and COO of Coker Group, which includes Coker Tire Co. Inc., a distributor of vintage tires.
"I am passionate about the automotive aftermarket and I have experienced the challenges faced by every business in our industry. My mission as chairman is to ensure the continued success of our industry," Mr. Kawasaki said.
In addition to his six years on the board, Mr. Kawasaki has participated in several SEMA committees, served two terms as SEMA secretary/treasurer and two terms as chairman of the SEMA Show committee. He also was appointment by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Automotive Parts Advisory Council (APAC).
Mr. Kawasaki has received SEMA's Person of the Year Award, Chairman's Service Award, Young Executive of the Year Award, and most recently, SEMA SBN's Athena Award. He was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame.