Build Team Finalized for SEMA Mustang Build Powered By Women

-- Vehicle Transformation Begins July 9;
Final Vehicle Debuts Oct. 31 at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada --

Diamond Bar, CA (July 9, 2012) The all-female build team is now finalized for the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Starting in July at Source Interlink Medias Southern California headquarters, the team of technicians, enthusiasts and industry personnel will work together to customize the 2013 Ford Mustang GT donated by Ford Motor Co., the title sponsor of the project.

The SEMA Businesswomens Network (SBN) assembled more than 30 women for the team that will install 50-state, street-legal aftermarket parts provided by SEMA-member manufacturers and suppliers on to the Mustang GT. The team will transform the vehicle into the winning black chrome satin luxury Mustang concept known as High Gear,which was designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and was chosen by Source Interlink Magazine readers and fans in June. The completed vehicle will be auctioned off on eBay Motors with proceeds being donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Kellie Colf, SBN Assembly Coordinator and President of Colf Creative Resources, said, "I am thrilled to be working with such a talented team of women. There are SBN members coming in from all corners of the industry, with all levels of expertise and its amazing to witness. The best part is that I get to work with other like-minded female gearheads, build an amazing car and help fund scholarships for future industry leaders all at the same time!"

The following women from the SBN will lead their respective teams during each phase of the build in El Segundo, CA. For more information about the women behind the project and the manufacturers supporting them, visit www.sema.org/SEMAMustangBuild and follow the build at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.HOTROD.com starting July 9, 2012.

Powertrain Team: JoAnn Bortles, Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Waxhaw, NC
The SEMA Mustang Build was a brainchild of JoAnn Bortles after she participated in a successful all-female motorcycle build. Bortles has more than 30 years of experience as an award-winning custom painter, airbrush artist, welder/fabricator, photojournalist and is the author of six books. In addition to having owned a Mustang repair shop in the early 80s, she is one of the first women to own and operate a custom paint shop in the United States.

Paint/Body Team: Theresa Contreras, L&G Enterprises, San Dimas, CA
With a background in graphic design, Theresa Contreras vast experience includes vehicle design concepts and renderings, with a specialty in custom painting. Shes been featured numerous times in paint tech articles and recently participated in an episode of Car Warriors, where she was the first female team leader. During the competition, Contreras led her team to victory with their 1970 Chevrolet C-10.

Undercarriage Team: Mollie Lewis, All in the Wrist Auto and Diesel Repair, Albuquerque, NM
Mollie Lewis has been in the automotive/diesel service and repair industry for 25 years.  Her certifications include: EPA Certification Refrigerant and Reclamation and Handling, MOOG Alignment Certification and No Code Diagnostic Strategies. As an ASE certified technician, Lewis is well equipped to lead the team of women who will install the aftermarket exhaust, suspension, wheels and tires.

Interior & Stereo Team: Kristin Cline, Cie Studios, Long Beach, CA
Kristin Clines automotive experience began when she acquired her first classic car more than six years ago. Cline is comfortable working on various years/makes/models of vehicles and maintains her own blog about the automotive hobby at greasegirl.com. She is also a founding member of the Gasoline Girls car club where she shares her knowledge and encourages other women to get their hands dirty in the garage.

Quality Inspection Team: Jennifer LaFever, RoushYates Racing Engines, Mooresville, NC
Jennifer LaFever has been in the automotive industry for several years and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and attended Universal Technical Institute for automotive technology and motorsports. LaFevers expertise is in component inspections, mathematical calculations and diagnostics with a strong understanding of electronics.
 
The SBN Vehicle Build Task Force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Company), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene), Joel Ayres (Bedslide) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the companys automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $29.99 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,383 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.

About the SEMA Scholarship Fund
The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $1,000 - $2,000, with $4,000 going to the top student. Assistance is available for career paths in the automotive industry in accounting, administration, advertising, design/graphics, engineering, information technology, manufacturing, photo/journalism, race car driver/crew, sales/marketing, technicians and transportation.