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Steve McDonald, a valued member of the SEMA executive team, passed away unexpectedly on September 26. He was 56.
Among his co-workers and throughout the industry he was known as a loyal friend with a wry sense of humor and a fierce dedication to his work. As vice president of government affairs for SEMA, Steve was the chief association advocate on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the $41.2 billion specialty automotive industry. Over the past 20 years, he played a primary role in promoting and expanding SEMA’s government affairs missions at both state and federal levels.
Steve helped create the SEMA Action Network, with outreach to auto enthusiasts nationwide, along with the State Automotive Enthusiasts Leadership Caucus, a nonpartisan group of more than 750 lawmakers who share a common love for automobiles. He also drafted model state legislation covering issues like vehicle titling/registration, exhaust noise, inoperable vehicles, altered height and nitrous oxide. Most recently he played a key role in passage of the federal replica car law and industry efforts to enact the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.
The team that Steve led is well positioned to carry on the association’s government affairs work. In fact, recent successes at the 2017 SEMA Show confirmed group’s ability to pull together during this critical time. Appropriately, Steve was recognized at the event several times for his contributions.
On behalf of all who make up the four-wheeled community, special thanks are offered to Steve for his two decades of expert service to advance our automotive freedoms. He will be missed.