Endorsements
Doug Evans
President - High Performance Advisors
SEMA Hall of Fame
SEMA (past chairman and Board Member)
“It gives me great pleasure to provide my wholehearted endorsement of Marcus Umlauff for another term on the SEMA board. Now more than ever, SEMA needs to have input and feedback from our OEM partners and Marcus does just that. Marcus has embraced the performance aftermarket and everything we can provide the OEs for their new platforms. It is vital we continue to get real time feedback from people like Marcus to keep our industry moving forward as OE platforms evolve and change.”
Mike Sweers
Executive Vice President - R&D, Toyota Motor North America
Chief Technology Officer, Toyota Motor North America
“I am very proud to recommend Marcus Umlauff for re-election to the board of directors of SEMA. Marcus has a proven track record of advancing mobility to meet changing and future needs of an active consumer base. Marcus’ deep understanding of the importance of accessories, especially truck accessories, has been advanced due to his global experience. I believe that his strong leadership, problem solving skills, dogmatic work ethic and global market knowledge would continue to assist SEMA Board of Directors in the navigation of a rapidly changing industry.”
Kurt V. Lacks
Owner and Executive Director of Business Development, Lacks Enterprises
“As a tier one automotive manufacturer for Toyota North America, I’ve interacted with Marcus Umlauff on several major component development programs over the past several years.
Toyota’s North American success is not accidental based on Lacks Enterprises business partnership with Marcus. Marcus’ commitment to excellence is fundamental and his passion for the automotive industry encompasses many disciplines. His ability to focus on details while seeing the big picture, all while allowing for creative solution development is extraordinary.
It’s often said that “nothing great happens without passion,” and Marcus lives this every day. His interest and curiosity for the ever-evolving automotive industry is infectious. He is an industry visionary who pursues “outside the box” ideas and challenges the typical approaches that large corporations and OEM’s have towards collaboration and product development to achieve breakthrough opportunities.
Marcus is a man of strong values and character. While supplier-customer relationships are often tested, Marcus continually ensures that the product will never be compromised. He’s able to see all angles of development for all parties. This characteristic has continually revealed Marcus’s business acumen and leadership – two vital areas of business development our industry could use more of.
It’s without hesitation that I believe Marcus would be a valuable asset to the SEMA Board of Directors.”
Mark Templin
Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor North America
“The diverse backgrounds and perspectives of SEMA members are key to the association’s strength and enduring influence. SEMA Board Members must strive to represent a variety of constituents, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, enthusiasts, publishers, racing teams, and a number of other groups. Recognizing the need to bridge so many interests, I’m pleased to wholeheartedly endorse Marcus Umlauff for the SEMA Board of Directors. Marcus serves as General Manager of Trucks at Toyota. In this capacity, he brings together all functions across the Toyota organization to focus on the success of trucks in North America. He works in close partnership with vehicle designers, distributors, and retailers, and engages with customers, strategic partner businesses, and parts and accessory suppliers. Marcus understands the intricacies of our industry, and emphasizes how our diverse membership can collaborate to meet customers’ needs, now and in the future. He brings an unsurpassed depth of knowledge and strategic perspective that will serve SEMA members well.
I’ve been privileged to mentor Marcus for the past six years. During this time, I’ve grown to know Marcus well, and can attest to his integrity and deep commitment to fostering collaboration across multiple organizations. Marcus brings a leadership style that cultivates an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected. No less important, Marcus’ good nature and enthusiasm for his work build camaraderie and emphasize the fun elements of our industry.
In our highly dynamic, rapidly evolving field, we need leaders like Marcus who can help us navigate challenges by bringing our diverse SEMA membership together to achieve our common goals. I have no doubt that Marcus will help to elevate the SEMA Board of Directors, and I encourage you to support his candidacy. “
Ron Coleman
Competition Cams
SEMA Hall of Fame
SEMA (past chairman and Board Member)
“Marcus is currently serving on the SEMA board and has shown his ability to represent the SEMA membership through his past service.
He works for a large company and has the ability to give a different prospective to the issues that face the SEMA membership. He is keenly aware of the political regulations that threaten to damage our membership and has been effective in guiding the board to protect our industry from the many rules and regulations that threaten our members.
Please consider voting for Marcus to keep his valuable perspective on the SEMA board.”
Greg Adler
CEO, ORW/4WP
ORBA Chairman [2010 through current]
SEMA Board Member 2011-2019
“Marcus Umlauff has my support for another term on the SEMA Board of Directors.
His experience at Toyota and understanding of the aftermarket will continue to strengthen the relationship between the OEM’s and SEMA. His background in operating a small business in the automotive motorsports market provides the well rounded experience that will continue to benefit similar members with representation on the Board.”
John Coletti
President, Automotive Performance Partners
(Previous) Director of SVT and Ford GT
“Marcus is true enthusiast that has a deep passion for automotive industry. His broad experience and background will make him a valued addition to the SEMA Board of Directors”
Sara Morosan
President, LGE-CTS Motorsports
SEMA Businesswomen's Network Chair
“Working with Marcus this past year has been such a privilege. His passion for our industry and his commitment to empowering others, especially women through his support of SBN—has been super impactful. He brings people together, sparks meaningful change, and has been a great leader. I’m proud to support Marcus for another term on the SEMA Board!”
Lachlan McCann
Chief Executive Officer, ARB Corporation
“As a globally respected leader in the Automotive Industry, I emphatically endorse Marcus’s re-election to the SEMA Board of Directors.
Marcus has a rich blend of skills and experience that has and will provide unquestionable value to the SEMA Board. First and foremost, Marcus understands the consumer because he is one. An avid weekend tinkerer and self-confessed gearhead, he lives automotive beyond his day job.
As the global automotive industry becomes increasingly complex, contributions to the SEMA Board from talented members with a deep passion for the industry, such as Marcus, is becoming increasingly important.
Marcus’s elevation through the global ranks of Toyota’s business is a testament to his drive, excellence and passion. His diverse professional background from product engineering, consumer insights and commercially led business outcomes provides rare and valuable insights for the SEMA Board and will enable better decisions and drive better outcomes for its members.”
Clay Croft
CEO, Expedition Overland
TV Personality and Overlanding Adventurer
“Marcus has a greater perspective of the truck market that few can. It's clear that His passion for the customer has shaped his strategic and global vision of products and the industry. X Overlands partnership with Marcus and his team at Toyota is consistently challenging in all the right ways. Thought leadership is evident within his team. Our partnership is effectively conducted outside big corporation methods which speaks to his abilities to think outside the norm and lead. He has my undivided endorsement.”