Two seasoned public affairs professionals are bolstering the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Government Affairs team: Tierra Hubbard as senior manager for state government affairs, and Juan Mejia as senior manager for federal government affairs. Both will be based in SEMA’s Washington, D.C., office.
Hubbard will support SEMA’s state-based advocacy for the eastern half of the U.S. Prior to joining SEMA, Hubbard established herself in Minnesota’s advocacy circles, working on behalf of nonprofits, local governments and Fortune 500 companies, including in the automotive industry. She recently served as a lobbyist for respected public affairs firm Goff Public and coordinated competitive intelligence gathering for leading global law firm Gibson Dunn.
“It is with great excitement that we add Tierra Hubbard to SEMA’s Government Affairs team,” said Christian Robinson, SEMA’s senior director for state government affairs. “Tierra brings a passion and energy to government relations that will amplify and elevate the issues that are important to our members and the nation’s community of automotive enthusiasts. As we advocate on behalf of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry, Tierra’s expertise in building strong relationships with lawmakers and helping them understand complex issues will be an asset.”
In her new role, Hubbard will lead local engagement with state lawmakers in U.S. states east of the Mississippi River. Hubbard will work to secure the enactment of laws and policies that support the automotive aftermarket industry’s ability to bring innovative products to market, as well as support the issues that impact the nation’s millions of automotive enthusiasts.
“I’m very excited to get started with SEMA and support our members and automotive enthusiasts on the issues that impact their businesses and ways of life,” said Hubbard. “The automotive aftermarket industry is a vibrant, colorful slice of the American experience, and I’m looking forward to helping our industry’s small businesses operate on a level playing field where they can meet the needs of their customers: car enthusiasts. And for those car enthusiasts, I look forward to serving as a champion in statehouses across the nation of their way of life.”
Hubbard, a native of Minnesota, holds a degree in political science and criminal justice from George Washington University.
Mejia will support SEMA’s advocacy efforts before Congress and executive branch agencies. Prior to joining SEMA, Mejia developed a strong public affairs portfolio in Washington, D.C., both as a registered lobbyist and political campaign staffer. Mejia most recently served as a Washington, D.C.-based in-house lobbyist for the University of Arizona as director of federal relations.
“I’m very excited to add Juan to the SEMA team in Washington, D.C.,” said Eric Snyder, SEMA’s senior director for federal government affairs. “Juan’s broad experience working with lawmakers and regulators will provide great value to SEMA’s members in the automotive aftermarket industry, particularly as we navigate the new Congress and work with the Trump Administration. Juan excels in establishing important relationships on Capitol Hill that will be critical to ensuring our members have a seat at the table for the important issues affecting the aftermarket.”
In his role with SEMA, Mejia will provide a direct line of communication between lawmakers and regulatory agencies, their staff, and SEMA’s members. Mejia also will support SEMA’s analysis of federal policy and execution of government relations strategy.
“Cars captured my attention from an early age and spurred my interest in public policy -- after all, you cannot tell the story of America without the automobile,” said Mejia. “I am eager to work alongside a talented team and increase our federal advocacy footprint on behalf of our members.”
Mejia is a native of Beaumont, TX. He holds a degree in economics from Lamar University.
