Friday, December 12, 2001

Local businessman takes top honors at national trade show

The Specialty Equipment Market Association selected Peachtree City's Mitch L. Williams, president and COO of Hella Inc., as its 2001 SEMA Person of the Year.

The announcement of the award was made during the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, Nev.

As president and COO of Hella, Williams is responsible for aftermarket sales, special OEM sales, marketing, and distribution activities. The firm serves the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean with a aftermarket and OEM lighting and electronic products for the automotive, marine, heavy-duty truck, and agricultural markets.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association annually awards the SEMA Person of the Year distinction in recognition of outstanding contributions to the industry.

Williams was noted for his leadership in creating new tools for SEMA members to develop their international business, both from a buying and selling standpoint. He also was cited for his work in developing a quality initiative for SEMA members that will enable them to offer more competitive products and compete for more business opportunities.

Williams has been in the high performance parts, accessory, and automotive lighting industry for 26 years. He began his career in 1975 as coordinator of performance activities for S.E.V. Corporation (now Valeo Corporation), serving the company for nine years.

In 1985, he joined Hella Inc. in Cranford, N.J., as eastern regional manager. After three record-breaking years managing Hella's East Coast business, he was appointed the company's youngest president at age 32.

During his tenure, the company has become one of the largest Hella sales companies worldwide, leading all Hella sales companies in annual sales revenue increases five times.

Williams was elected to the SEMA Board of Directors in 1998, reelected in 2000, and in 2001 became a member of the SEMA Executive Committee.

During his tenure on the SEMA Board, he has worked with several committees and task forces, including the Nominating Committee, as chairman of the International Task Force, and helped create the SEMA Lighting Committee.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Auto International Association and has chaired its Accessory Institute. He has served on the Hella Inc. Board of Directors for 13 years. He has authored a number of articles on driving safety, and he remains one of the leading American experts on driving safety issues.

An Atlanta native, Williams graduated from Emory University. He lives with his wife and son in Peachtree City.

Hella Inc. is a member of the Hella North America group of companies, a subsidiary of Hella KG, Hueck & Company, of Lippstadt, Germany. Hella is a worldwide leader of advanced automotive lighting and electronics technology, marketed in over 150 countries with approximately $2.5 billion in sales globally.

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