Team Members

Meet the Team at Speed Gems

At Speed Gems Transmission Adapters, we're passionate about providing high-quality transmission adapters for hot rods, custom cars, and other unique vehicles. Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping customers find the perfect adapter for their specific needs.

 
  • Arne King
  • Arne King
  • President

  • Arne is proud of the team at Speed Gems Transmission Adapters and is excited about the future of this iconic brand.  The car business is everchanging and Arne enjoys being a part of it.  In his down time, Arne watches Gotham Garage, Eckstensive, and Rust Valley Restoration.  He plays golf, travels as much as possible, and is a devoted cat dad to Elliot, Lilly, and Baby Kitty.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Anderson
    Admin/Business Development

  • This is Kathryn, our marketing and administrative leader.  Her passion is people, and she can vouch for this team of knowledgeable car-enthusiasts who enjoy working together and supporting our customers.   Kathryn loves airline travel, golfing in sunshine, and seeking out new food venues with her husband Arne.

  • #8
    Bob Bendtsen
    Consultant
Bob Bendtsen is the founder of Speed Gems.  He realized in the early 90’s that the original engines in cars could be rebuilt and add power, but often the transmissions became the weak link.  The combination of lack of parts availability, unable to handle higher horsepower and the inadequate gear ratios all led him to develop adapter kits that enable modern overdrive transmissions to connect to the legacy engines, thus the launch of Speed Gems.  Bob had been involved in all aspects of the car business in his career and has built several nationally recognized cars over the years.  His knowledge of transmission variants and combinations is unparalleled.  In his spare time, he has competed in international Judo tournaments, enjoys cross fit and working on antique cars and trucks.
Mark Lukosaitis
General Manager

Mark's passion for all things automotive began with his childhood go-kart, igniting a lifelong pursuit of automotive excellence. This passion has taken him far beyond the asphalt, as he embraces the open water too. His garage is a testament to his love for vehicles and vessels. Each represents a different aspect of his automotive journey, from the raw power and style of the Challenger to the thrill of navigating the waves in his Baja. Mark's dedication to his passion shines through in every aspect.
  • #4
    Ozmar Vaquera
    Designer
Ozmar joined the team in 2021 as a Mechanical Designer. Ozmar started his love of cars working on his first car, a Pontiac Grand AM doing basic maintenance. Went on to detailing cars and a shop hand at a local mechanic. He plans to resto-mod a 1976 Ford Mustang II. Outside of work, he loves to play real-time strategy games with friends and spend time with his family.
  • #5
    Aaron Rockwell
    Team Lead

Aaron, the guy keeping it fun in the shop, likes to spend his time with his 4-year-old son, playing guitar, building projects, and working on his old (air-cooled) Volkswagens. He has a passion for old cars and keeping them on the road.

  • #6
    Brad Hensen
    Mechanical Designer

  • The man on the other side of the line when you call Speed Gems.  Brad studied Mechanical Design Technology at Madison Area Technical College and you’ll find him dirt-track racing in the Midwest on weekends.

  • #8
    Brianna Taraburca
    Director of Marketing

Brianna hails from Massachusetts and is a car enthusiast alongside her husband, Andrei.  She enjoys using her photography skills to create engaging content for our family of brands.  Brianna and Andrei welcomed their first child into the world in June of 2023.  A little car fan!

  • #8
    Kenny Pulsfus
    Machinist

  • Kenny Pulsfus is the programmer and machinist for Speed Gems. In his free time, Kenny enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time with friends.