LAS VEGAS — Wade Kawasaki, long-time auto aftermarket executive and twice president of the Specialty Equipment Market Association for a combined six years, was honored this week with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension and Brakes Council.
Kawasaki, executive chairman of The Wheel Group since October 2022, was honored for this contributions to the industry over the past 37 years.
Kawasaki’s career in the vehicle aftermarket began at Exports International of Torrance, Calif., in 1987. Over the years he advanced to president/CEO of the company, which specialized in the distribution of American brand name automotive, marine, high performance race parts and accessories to overseas customers.
He was hired in 2011 as executive vice president of Coker Tire Co. and promoted to president and COO of Coker Group in 2014. He later led an investor group’s purchase of the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based distributor of vintage tires and wheels and was the top executive of the renamed Legendary Group until late 2021.
During this time he was elected chair of the SEMA board for two separate terms, from 2009-2011 and again from 2015-2019.
He was hired by The Wheel Group in October 2022 as executive chairman and continues in that role today in addition to being part of the Legendary Companies ownership group.
The SEMA WTSBC is the new identity for the former Wheel & Tire Council, which expanded its membership earlier this year to include companies active in the suspension and brake sector.
