SEMA Recognizes Innovation and Impact Across the Automotive Aftermarket
LAS VEGAS – The Specialty Equipment Market Association announced the winners of the 2025 SEMA Awards during Industry Honors at the SEMA Show. The annual recognition highlights leaders whose work shaped the automotive aftermarket over the past year.
The 2025 SEMA Awards include three honors: Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, and Person of the Year. Each title celebrates people who use creativity, technology, and leadership to drive progress in performance and customization.
Person of the Year: Dean Case (Motivo Engineering)
Dean Case earned Person of the Year for his work linking SEMA’s Emerging Trends & Technology Network with the Society of Automotive Engineers. His efforts expanded opportunities for students and engineers to connect with the aftermarket.
Case led the ETTN-SAE student career fair at the SEMA Garage, the largest event of its kind in association history. He coordinated schools, mentors, and companies to build a program that brought in new talent. Professional video coverage extended the event’s reach and promoted careers in automotive innovation. His leadership showed how collaboration can grow the industry.
Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Andrius Liskus (LABA7, UAB)
Andrius Liskus received the Gen-III Innovator of the Year award for creating a breakthrough in suspension testing. His company, LABA7, developed the Electromagnetic Damper Test System, known as the EMA. The system achieves lab-grade precision using a standard 110-volt outlet.
The EMA reaches 7,000 mm/s velocity and 150 Hz frequency while using stored energy from supercapacitors. The compact setup allows engineers, race teams, and shops to perform high-speed testing without large power systems. The result is faster development and portable accuracy once limited to factory labs.
Content Creator of the Year: Westen Champlin
Westen Champlin earned Content Creator of the Year for his ability to connect millions of fans with authentic automotive storytelling. His videos mix humor, education, and mechanical insight to make car culture approachable.
Champlin’s reach includes 4 million YouTube subscribers, 3.8 million TikTok followers, and millions more across Instagram and Facebook. His creativity builds community, sparks discussion, and keeps viewers excited about performance and engineering. His content proves that digital voices can strengthen real-world automotive passion.
Why These Honors Matter
The 2025 SEMA Awards highlight innovators who turn ideas into results. Each honoree shows how skill, teamwork, and purpose can move the aftermarket forward. Their projects and outreach expand education, technology, and enthusiasm for the industry’s future.
The awards also remind the community that leadership comes in many forms. Some build products, others build people, and all build momentum. The recognition encourages more professionals to take bold steps and share knowledge.
The SEMA Show Experience
The SEMA Show continues through November 7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It remains the world’s top trade event for automotive specialists. Visitors can explore new parts, tools, and vehicle concepts while meeting experts from every corner of the aftermarket. Training sessions and live demos help attendees sharpen skills and discover trends shaping 2026. Details are available at SEMAShow.com.
About SEMA and the SEMA Show
Founded in 1963, the Specialty Equipment Market Association produces the annual SEMA Show. Since 1967, it has united manufacturers, buyers, and innovators who enhance vehicle styling, performance, comfort, and safety. For more information, visit SEMA.org or SEMAShow.com, or call 909-396-0289.
The 2025 SEMA Awards reflect hard work, passion, and results that define the automotive aftermarket. Each recipient raised the standard for what’s next in innovation and creativity.
2025 SEMA Awards
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