Vote for Dr Jamie Meyer, SEMA Board of Directors

Vote for Dr Jamie Meyer, SEMA Board of Directors

By Mike Kojima

Dr. Jamie Meyer, GM's most avid MotoIQ supporter is running for SEMAs Board of Directors.  We have known Dr. Jamie, GM's Performance Parts Program Manager since we first opened our doors and he has been instrumental in the smooth running of all of our Chevy based projects. 

Dr Jamie has a clue and is running his campaign based on getting positive lobbying going in Washington to support and prevent restrictive legislation from impacting our hobby and the motorsports industry. He also has plans to help re-engage our youth with automobiles and to help racers, track owners, promoters and sanctioning bodies connect to provide well run, profitable, racer and spectator friendly events.

Please join MotoIQ and support Dr. Jamie Myer for a position on the SEMA board of directors!

Check out Dr. Meyer's SEMA Board of Directors Website Here!

Here are some of Dr. Meyers industry accomplishments and background qualifications.  After reading them, we will be you will be convinced like us that he is the man for the job.

 

DR. JAMIE MEYER

BACKGROUND

I had very extensive training in the basic sciences, which lead to me earning my PhD. with Distinction in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the Syracuse college of medicine in 1997. I then worked an eight-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. It was during this time that I had a parallel, automotive-focused, career in development as well. While carrying out a full NIH-funded research program, I was working for multiple drag racing sanctioning bodies (Fun Ford Weekend, World Ford Challenge, National Mustang Racers Association, National Muscle Car Association), moonlighting as a drag race announcer, and developing content as a freelance writer and photographer. Fast-forward ten years, and I had left science to focus fully on the high performance automotive industry. I began my career at General Motors as the product placement manager for the crate engine line of product.

Today, I am currently the Performance Parts Program Manager at General Motors where my job responsibilities include developing (from concept to production) the high-performance parts portfolio for all Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick vehicles. This work includes looking into the future portfolio of vehicles (some of them are only at the architecture phase) and identifying what parts our customers will be interested in, while maintaining profitability for GM. Our portfolio is dominated by exhaust tips, performance exhaust systems, cold air intakes, big brake kits, and suspension kits that improve ride height and/or handling. And, I work daily on future programs like our next generation full-sized truck and SUVs, Camaro, Cadillac V-series vehicles, and the next Corvette.

INDUSTRY LEADING INITIATIVES

I would like to think that every day at GM, I am shaping the history of the automotive industry. My unique input into our high-performance vehicles is to look for opportunities to allow for the architecture to be conducive to modification and personalization by the future owner. Just like the classic Chevrolets from the 50s and 60s, this ownership experience will help guarantee that future generations will want to buy our products.

My philanthropic work includes the foundation of MOMS Racing, a drag racing sanctioning body designed to introduce illegal street racers to the safer environment of the drag strip. When formed in 1994, heads-up street car racing wasn’t popular. This pre-dates the NMCA and NMRA by several years, and filled a gap for street cars that the NHRA had moved away from. I’m proud to say that MOMS Racing continues to this day. I am a long time member of the NHRA with a Competition License earned at the Frank Hawley Drag School in 2000. I have maintained this professional driver’s license to this day.

Professionally, I’ve been a member of the American Heart Association, and my scientific research was, at one time, funded by this association. I have spoken at several scientific councils in the past, and my two career paths merged at an AHA event in Detroit in 2012 where I presented “The Heart Versus the Race Engine” as a fun way to motivate folks to stay in shape.

I am also a Benefactor Level Life Member of the NRA. I mention this because of the obvious parallels between the high performance automotive industry and the firearms industry. They are both passionate communities, are heavily regulated, and have to fight daily to keep their freedoms.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I have had a patent issued to me early in my scientific career for identifying a cardiovascular therapeutic target. This work is still under study by a number of scientific teams and drug companies.

As a freelance writer and photographer, I have authored over 400 published feature articles in various automotive journals and websites. I was known for my tech features where I was able to showcase product from a number of SEMA member companies.

patent was issued for my GM team in partnership with SEMA for the creation of the EROD line of crate engines. Briefly, SEMA came to me during my time as the marketing manager for the crate engine line of products from General Motors. They were looking for an emission-legal solution for an estimated 20 million cars in California. After consulting with our engineers, the result was the EROD line of crate engines, a creative solution for the increasing demands of the regulators. This program allowed me to work with such SEMA staff as Jim McFarland, Russ Deane, John Brueggaman, and the late Steve McDonald.

In addition to EROD, I have helped GM launch dozens of high performance parts and multiple version of high performance vehicles into the market. This work has included the launch of the LSX block – the foundation of many high performance variants of the now-timeless LS engine; multiple version of LS crate engines; the launch of the Supermatic line of crate transmissions for Chevrolet Performance; and the first ever “crate powertrain”.

I have been heavily involved in the marketing strategy (including social media strategy and traditional communications events) for the last two generations of Camaro, Corvette, full size truck and SUV, and a number of Cadillac products.

Over the last two years, I have been pushing internally to support GM releasing a line of superchargers for our production vehicles. Working with multiple companies from the high performance industry, we have already gone through Design, Marketing, Purchasing, Licensing, and several rounds of meetings with GM Powertrain.

Recently, I am very proud to have been involved with the newly formed Marketing Department at SAM Tech (samtech.edu), a trade school formed in 1985 for the training of high performance engine machining and assembly. The first series of High Performance Marketing seminars will begin in early 2018, where my staff and I will be offering fundamental teachings in marketing, communications, and advertising that is specific for the high performance industry – a first for a college of higher learning. This will be followed up by more in-depth classes in various marketing disciplines such as social media and advanced, automotive photography.

UNIQUE SKILLS

I am uniquely positioned to work with the high performance industry and spot trends that affect the members of SEMA – decades before they come to market. I’ve seen multiple sides of this industry. From a freelance journalist who used to sneak into SEMA and PRI, I have become the expert who controls the portfolio of performance parts for the largest automotive company in the world. I am a classically trained marketer, but, most recently, I’ve spent three years on the job learning the development, financing, and production side of the business. I believe that I am very well-rounded with a wide network of friends who will work, by my side to improve the reach and impact of the SEMA organization.

The industry issues that we will face in the next few years – electric propulsion, autonomous vehicles, and the coming greenhouse gas regulations – have me keenly interested in being a part of the SEMA leadership. These technological advances are so revolutionary that I don’t think we have faced anything like this in our lifetimes. I would be very dedicated to making sure the high performance industry is positioned to thrive during the transition.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

COPO CAMARO

I was on the core team of six people responsible for bringing the COPO Camaro back to market in 2011. This included the product description, marketing strategy, NHRA class placement, distribution, legal contract, sales for the first three years of production, and integration into the SEMA show and Barrett Jackson charity auction (AHA).

EROD PROGRAM

THE NMRA

MOMS RACING

EFI CALIBRATION

SEMA Members go here to vote!

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