Experience

I have 44 years of business experience—including manufacturing, distribution and finance--the last 15 years of which have been in the automotive aftermarket. I own and run two SEMA member companies. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of SEMA, having taken Dr. Jaime Meyer’s seat when he became President of PRI. In SEMA, I served as Chair of the Scholarship Committee (now Student Program Committee), member of the SEMA PAC board, SEMA President’s Club, Chairman of the Person of the Year Task Force, member of The SEMA Businesswoman’s Network.

Professional Experience

Foundation—Grounded in the Heartland.

Born on an Indiana farm, I was introduced to a small business heritage early, as our family also built and ran a small plastics manufacturing company. Along with learning the finer skills of cleaning a factory toilet, I absorbed first-hand how small businesses operate. I attended Indiana University and received both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business with a focus in finance.

Wide ranging experience

My first job after college was overseas in Germany, working for a global packaging company. I held management positions in finance, human resources, marketing, sales and strategy, and first encountered Government disruption: The government compelled our industry to adopt an uneconomic metal and plastic recycling process, which we had to successfully overcome. Next, I joined a US publicly traded copier company and worked directly in distribution with our dealer/partners, who were the best in the business. After leaving to start my own consulting business, I was asked by the board of directors to return to either do a turnaround or sell the company. I saw the industry challenged by technology disruption, moving from copiers to printers, and brought about a timely sale of the business to Ricoh of America for over $40 million, double previous offers. As a consultant, I worked for the U.S. leadership of Asea Brown Boveri, a $28B Swedish Swiss company in robotics, power, heavy electrical equipment, and automation technology. Additionally, I consulted for 7 years for AT&T, building their consumer products strategy and, with Bell Labs, launching new technologies to cope with technology disruption as analog long lines were being replaced by digital, upending established market positions.

Serial Entrepreneur

I left corporate life at 34 to start my own consulting business, but before opening the doors of my business, I went to Washington to work on Bush senior’s 1988 election campaign. Asked to run the Inaugural day Parade, I chose instead to get my business started with consulting activities mentioned above. Using capital earned from my consulting business, I bought the assets of a warehouse and order fulfillment business from Random house. We built a sales force, billing, credit and collections services for independent publishers, and achieved $70 million in revenues in less than 12 months despite challenges from Technology disruption as digital media technology was speeding a transformation from physical books to digital. I next founded a dedicated freight pay business for a multibillion-dollar distribution client. There began my intense interest in the future of distribution, supply chain and the efficient consumer response (ECR), a revolutionary concept in the grocery store industry which foresaw the disintermediation (technology disruption) of many industries, including ours.

Automotive Career

I was an early investor in MSD ignition, which sparked my interest in the automotive world. Since then, in the past 15 years, I’ve been fully involved in the automotive segment, most notably with a NASCAR engine builder, a marketing company which produced the largest HEMI website at the time (Shop-HEMI.com), and Magnuson Superchargers. They, like all aftermarket companies, are facing the strong headwinds of technology disruption and intense government regulation.

Magnuson Superchargers

I acquired Magnuson in 2010 from its larger-than-life owners Jerry and Maureen Magnuson with my own money, bolstered by friends and family and a lender. Today, Magnuson has over 50 employees and a global presence with over 125 supercharger applications. Besides the aftermarket, we served as supplier to Toyota, Lotus and GM.

Board Experience

During my career I have served on 14 boards, 5 in the automotive aftermarket including SEMA, SEMA PAC, Arrington Engines, Connects Marketing (www.shopHemi.com), and Magnuson Superchargers.

Awards And Accomplishments

Athena Woman of the Year

I was honored to receive the 2018 SEMA businesswoman’s Network Athena Woman of the Year.

2 Toyota Gold Awards

Magnuson has 10 years certified as IATF and won two Toyota Gold Awards under my watch.

Henry Crown Fellow

In 1997, I was one of 20 business leaders under 45 to receive a fellowship to receive leadership training at the Aspen Institute.

Honored Guest: Learning Spring Elementary School

Honored at annual dinner for helping found Learning Spring School for children on the autistic spectrum

SEMA Speaker

Speaker at SEMA awards banquet and numerous educational panels.

Volunteering Background

The automotive aftermarket has welcomed me like no other industry. After decades of corporate and multi-industry experience I have found my fit. SEMA is the best trade organization I have ever been involved with. I believe in more than giving back, I believe that for a trade organization and its members to thrive they must integrate their efforts, working together for a common goal.
Never more important than now, we must activate our members, politicians, regulators, and enthusiasts to protect our industry for our employees, our youth and the products we love. I am prepared to do just that.

Nile Cornelison

Passionate. Driven. Visionary. Just a few descriptors of the Kim Pendergast I have had the joy of knowing since she entered the industry 15 years ago. Her 25+ years of owning various manufacturing companies, understanding domestic & international logistics channels, and now owning Ventura, CA based Magnuson Superchargers, a 40-year SEMA member manufacturer, makes her an ideal candidate for the upcoming manufacturer seat on the SEMA BOD. As the Magnuson Supercharger owner/CEO, she has led the company through the CARB process, grown a long-term Toyota award winning relationship, and became the supercharger provider for GM’s COPO Camaro, adding depth to the value she can bring to the SEMA BOD table. In these uncertain times, I want you to know Kim Pendergast is representing our industry, the one I have dedicated my entire life to. Our industry needs, we need, her strategic and operational skills. I urge you to re-elect Kim Pendergast to the 2021 Board of Directors.

Nile Cornelison
SEMA Hall of FAME, SEMA Person of the Year, SEMA Board Member 8 years

Maureen Magnuson

I would like to endorse Kim Pendergast for SEMA Board of Directors. My husband, Jerry, and I decided to put our company up for sale 10 years ago. We wanted the prospective buyer to take a real interest in the product and the employees. Kim has proven to be a worthy choice and has not disappointed us in any way. She has continued to be involved with SEMA from day one. Also, she has demonstrated leadership qualities, worked relentlessly and achieved amazing goals. Kim kept the Magnuson name and tradition alive over these past 10 years facilitating an admirable work ethic…and also has become a very special friend.

Maureen Magnuson
Former Owner Magnuson Products

Ken Lingenfelter

I would like to strongly endorse Kim Pendergast for the 2021 SEMA board of directors. I have known Kim many years and we have partnered on numerous projects. She is competent, confident, experienced, and qualified in many areas of the automotive business. I find Kim’s operational and strategic skills exceptional. These skills are essential to protect the future of our industry in these uncertain times. That is why I urge you to join me in re-electing Kim to the 2021 SEMA board of directors.

Ken Lingenfelter
Owner, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and The Lingenfelter Collection

Ron Coleman

I have known Kim since 2016. I'm impressed with what she has accomplished in her short time on the board. She transformed the mission of the scholarship committee, she was a strong and consistent supporter of SEMA garage and strong member of the PAC board. I know I want her on the board fighting for me and for our industry.

Ron Coleman
CEO, Driven Racing Oil

Doug Evans

I'm supporting Kim Pendergast for one of two open manufacturer seats. Kim is spot on when it comes to her views on legislation and regulation which, as you know, is becoming increasingly important once again. The politicians seem to keep trying to take away everything we hold near and dear and Kim is vigilant in her efforts to protect us from that. Please vote for Kim Pendergast for the manufacturer seat!

Doug Evans
President, High Performance Advisors

Daniel Gresham

I have known and worked with Kim for over 40 years. I have seen her successfully perform in sales, operations, and financial roles. Kim has proven herself as CEO and owner of Magnuson Superchargers as well as an incumbent member of SEMA's Board. Her most impressive talent is her ability to recognize and strategically react to a changing business environment. It is hard to find superior operational and strategic skills in one executive, but that is what Kim has and is why she is the right person to return to the SEMA Board in this uncertain time for our industry. I urge you to re-elect Kim to the SEMA board.

Daniel Gresham
Former SEMA Secretary Treasurer, former SEMA Board member, ongoing member of the Investment Committee, and founding Board member of the SEMA Data Co-op
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