Christopher J. Kersting, CAE, J. D., has become the new president of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Kersting succeeds Chuck Blum, CAE, who becomes SEMA president emeritus after 22 years as the association's chief of staff.

According to the company, Kersting is explicit about his goals for SEMA. The 39-year-old association represents companies providing appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. SEMA research tallies the domestic market for these products at $26 billion in 2001.

"We want to continue the world-renowned excellence of our SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and we intend to raise our member benefits to that same world-class level. Now is the right time to lead the SEMA-member industry to the next level of domestic and international commerce," Kersting said. "Our SEMA leadership and staff are working very hard to earn 'first call' status from SEMA members seeking information, help, and tools to enhance their sales, marketing and manufacturing efforts."

Kersting has worked with the approximately 4,500 member-company association for more than a decade. In 1989 he became SEMA's outside legal counsel and one of its government affairs representatives. He joined the SEMA staff in 1996 as vice president of legislative and technical affairs, and headed SEMA's Washington office until 2000.

In 2000, he became SEMA executive vice president and relocated to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar. During his two years as SEMA evp, he has reorganized several SEMA departments to better use existing talent and facilitate growth.

Kersting received his credential as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) earlier this year. His professional credentials include a law degree from Washington College of Law, American University (Washington) in 1989. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985.

Before he joined the SEMA staff, Kersting also handled legal matters for many SEMA-member companies and served as general counsel for such industry institutions as the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) and the Auto International Association (AIA). AIA chose him as its AIA Person of the Year in 1995.

For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.