SEMA HONORS EMERGING LEADERS WITH VISIONARY 8 RECOGNITION

SEMA HONORS EMERGING LEADERS WITH VISIONARY 8 RECOGNITION

-- Eight rising leaders recognized for innovation and impact in the automotive
aftermarket. --

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2026) - SEMA has named the 2026 recipients of its Visionary 8 program, recognizing eight emerging leaders whose work is advancing the automotive aftermarket. The honorees were announced at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Visionary 8 nominees must be 35 or younger, be active SEMA members and demonstrate achievements that positively impact their companies and the automotive aftermarket. Judges evaluated nominees on entrepreneurship, insight, integrity, responsibility and skill.

"The automotive aftermarket is built on passion, and this year's honorees embody that spirit through their innovation, fresh ideas and solutions that grew and advanced the industry," said SEMA Manger of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. "Their achievements are strengthening businesses, expanding the industry's reach and creating opportunities for the next generation."

2026 SEMA Visionary 8 Honorees

Braxton Boone, Owner, Boone Mobile Detailing

Boone launched Boone Mobile Detailing while still in high school, growing it into a professional operation serving customers throughout the Richmond, Va., area. The company has earned a strong reputation for quality workmanship and customer service while expanding into specialized services such as paint correction, headlight restoration, clay bar treatments and paint protection. Through continuous learning and investment in his craft, Boone has created opportunities for others to develop skills within the automotive detailing industry.

Justin Hartenstein Jr., Social Media Manager, Oracle Lighting
At just 19 years old, Hartenstein leads digital strategy and community growth for Oracle Lighting. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, his content generated more than 20 million views, significantly expanding the company's reach and engagement. Drawing on his experience as both an enthusiast and content creator, he conceptualized and helped launch Oracle's first lensless headlight, which, according to Oracle, set company sales records on launch day. His innovative approach to marketing continues to help shape the future of aftermarket brand engagement.

Dustin Korth, Senior Accounts Manager, MetaMartini

Korth has helped modernize how aftermarket brands connect with enthusiasts by advancing creator-driven marketing, digital storytelling and community-focused engagement strategies. Through his work at MetaMartini, he has supported brands across the diesel, truck, performance, wheel and tire markets, while also contributing as an automotive journalist for Diesel World Magazine. As vice president of operations for River Valley Road Rally, Korth has helped grow enthusiast participation, strengthen industry partnerships and foster deeper connections within the automotive community.

Kyle Kuhnhausen, President, Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts LLC

Kuhnhausen has earned national recognition for engineering-driven vehicle builds, including multiple top 12 finishes in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition and the 2025 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle award. Operating independently, he has pioneered innovative integrations of modern drivetrains and technology into vintage vehicles while developing practical solutions shared across the builder community. Beyond his own projects, Kuhnhausen has mentored aspiring builders through the SEMA Young Guns program, industry education programs and hands-on training opportunities that help cultivate the next generation of automotive talent.

Sean Leger, Owner, Emerald City Hot Rods

Leger founded Emerald City Hot Rods in 2020 with a vision of blending traditional coachbuilding techniques with modern performance and design. Since then, he has grown the company into a nationally recognized custom fabrication shop specializing in handcrafted automotive artistry. By completing nearly every aspect of each build in-house, including design, fabrication, engineering and custom interiors, Leger has helped preserve traditional craftsmanship while introducing innovative ideas that inspire builders and enthusiasts throughout the aftermarket industry.

Erik Nave, COO & Marketing Director, Titan Fuel Tanks

Nave began his career at Titan Fuel Tanks as a marketing specialist and inventory control professional before rising to serve as both chief operating officer and marketing director. He has built a reputation for transforming ideas into measurable business growth through strategic marketing initiatives, product launches and customer-focused messaging. By identifying industry trends, customer needs and market opportunities, Nave has helped increase brand visibility, strengthen customer trust and drive company growth.

Ray Padilla, Chief Executive Officer, Auto Film Mastery & Media Tune

Padilla created the annual Auto Film Mastery Conference (AFMC) six years ago to help automotive film and detailing shop owners grow their businesses. Through Auto Film Mastery, he has developed educational courses, training programs and industry resources that help business owners improve operations and achieve growth. He is also the owner of Media Tune, a marketing company which helps automotive shops expand their reach and achieve significant business success.

Rashmi Sinha, Chief Innovation Officer & Co-Founder, Revv

Sinha co-founded Revv with Adi Bathla in 2022. As the company's technical leader, she built Revv's initial codebase and established the engineering systems that enabled rapid product development and deployment. Her hands-on approach to software development and adoption of emerging AI technologies helped accelerate the company's growth and continues to shape its product innovation strategy.

Nominations for the 2027 SEMA Visionary 8 will open in Summer 2027 at sema.org/awards.

About SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $383 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.25 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

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