The 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet served as the platform for big announcements from the association, including the winners of two prestigious awards:
- SEMA Person of the Year: Josh Poulson, Auto Additions, Inc.
- Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Mike Burns, ValvoMax
Poulson and Burns were presented with the honors in front of nearly 3,000 industry leaders and icons on Thursday evening, Nov. 3, 2022. These two awards are amongst the most prestigious SEMA honors given to individuals in the industry, according to the association.
Poulson, owner of Auto Additions, was recognized for his volunteer leadership contributions, philanthropy, and overall influence on the industry. He has been volunteering on the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) select committee since 2012. His years of advocacy for restylers and manufacturers to have a voice in the industry earned him recognition as SEMA PRO Restyler of the Year in 2012, and SEMA PRO Person of the Year in 2015.
As Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Burns, CEO of ValvoMax, is recognized for his outstanding commitment to the industry and a high level of involvement with SEMA committees, task forces, councils, and overall participation. The award is presented annually to a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger, who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities and advancements. He was a 2018 SEMA Launch Pad semifinalist for developing an oil change system that removes the hassle associated with traditional oil changes.
For more information, visit www.sema.org.