EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

After spending nearly a decade working on performance engines and EFI systems, Ben Strader started the world’s first motorsports-based training academy—EFI University—in 2003. Over the last 15 years, the courses Ben has developed have taught close to 10,000 people in dozens of countries to build and tune high performance engines and fuel injection systems. He is an expert in the theory and operation of the internal combustion engine and its related systems specializing in electronic engine management.

Billy Godbold was the Comp Cams Valvetrain Engineering manager and is one of the many reasons Comp Cams became the name in high-performance camshafts and valvetrains. Today Godbold  runs Godbold Engineering, based in Lakeland, Tennessee. Godbold Engineering is a motorsports engineering firm that uses applied physics, metallurgy, testing, and surface engineering to solve complex problems in motorsports.

Jeff Smith, a 35-year veteran of automotive journalism, was the senior technical editor at Car Craft magazine. An Iowa native, Smith served a variety of roles at Car Craft before moving to the senior editor role at Hot Rod and Chevy High Performance, and ultimately returning to Car Craft. Smith is an accomplished engine builder, technical expert and author.

John Callies has been involved in the performance industry for over 53 years. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering, he worked for Pontiac Motor Division for 21 years; the last 12 years as manager of Pontiac Motor Sports. John left Pontiac and started Callies Crankshaft Co. Six years later he moved to help Joe Lunati get his company acquired by Holley Corporation. He then moved on to work with Camshaft Machine Company to develop a line of aftermarket performance cam cores. Five years later joined forces with Ed Morel to build Morel lifters into a top line of performance lifters.

Lake Speed Jr. is a certified lubrication specialist that worked for Joe Gibbs Driven motor oils. He’s the son of former NASCAR driver and team owner Lake Speed. A former crew member for Bill Elliott at Melling Racing, Speed Jr. joined the Joe Gibbs team in 2004. Today Lake is Total Seal’s VP of marketing and sales. Lake has decades of experience in tribology, racing, technology development in all types of engines, and his dedication to the sport and industry are recognized in the motorsports environment.

Started drag racing as a kid in the ‘60s and went to school with Tom Hunt, the son of Joe Hunt  who talked Shaver into building a sprint car.” Shaver engines have powered winners in off-road competition, stock car racing and on the drag strip ever since. An aggressive development and test program, along with close working relationships with his blue-chip suppliers, sums up Shaver’s strategy in keeping the family business on the leading edge of the performance market.

Paul “Scooter” Brothers, grew up as a mechanic and got his first job right out of high school. He was drafted to the Navy during the Vietnam War where he served as an aircraft mechanic. When he came back home, he got a job at Racing Head Service around 1972. They were having trouble finding good camshafts for their market so they started Cam Dynamics (now Comp Cams) to fill the need. Scooter has also been very involved with SEMA. He spent 6 years on the Board of Directors and served 2 of those years as the Chief Executive Officer.