Derald Bontrager, the former Jayco CEO and a 2018 RV/MH Hall of Fame inductee, joined Ember RV as a shareholder and advisor.
Bontrager has nearly 50 years of experience in the RV industry, working for the manufacturer his parents founded at the age of 16. He joins Ember, a young manufacturer celebrating its second anniversary this year.
Ember RV is led by founder and CEO Ashley Bontrager Lehman, Derald’s daughter.
“Having Derald join Ember in a management advisory role and as a shareholder, is undeniably valuable,” Bontrager Lehman said. “The breadth of knowledge he brings extends to all levels of the business from his many years working in various roles at our family company. His reputation proceeds him, and the entire team is excited to have him come on board in this way, joining just in time to influence and advise on the brand-new price-conscious product line we will debut at our Dealer Expo next week.”
Derald Bontrager spent two decades as Jayco’s CEO, beginning in 2001 and through the company’s 2016 sale to Thor Industries. He served in numerous roles before becoming CEO, working in executive leadership, sales, engineering and transportation
Ember co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Chris Barth is among the Ember executives who once worked with Derald Bontrager at Jayco.
“We are privileged to have Derald advise the Ember team,” Barth said. “Having worked with Derald in the past, it is obvious to me he knows how to build a legacy. I know his strong focus on customers and the dealer body has created opportunities for everyone he has done business with. I know him to be a steady, fair leader that gives sound guidance and I look forward to his positive influence on our team.”
