Every 12 months, RVDA U.S. dealers gather at the association’s convention/expo where the organization honors industry leaders and hosts education sessions. At its annual meeting, the association honors members and reveals board of director transitions.
At Wednesday’s RVDA meeting at Paris Las Vegas, the association honored a woman who spent over two decades ensuring the yearly show flowed seamlessly.
Ronnie Hepp, who was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2022, received the James B. Summers award, the association’s highest honor.
RVDA President Phil Ingrassia said Hepp “played an invaluable role in organizing the RVDA Convention/Expo, which has evolved into the major profession development and networking event of the year for RV dealers and the industry.”
Not only did Hepp serve as administrative executive for more than 20 years, she was also on the RVDA Board of Directors, RVDA Board of Delegates, Mike Molino RV Learning Center Board of Directors and RV Assistance Corp. Board of Directors.
Hepp said, “I never dreamed I would be standing here in front of you receiving this award, instead of being the one who made sure it was placed at the right podium at the right time on the right day.”
The RVDA award is named for Summers, the association’s former executive vice president. The accolade recognizes an individual who has made frequent and distinguished contributions to RVDA and its members.
New Chairman
During the breakfast, RVDA made its annual chairman transition. Ryan Horsey of Parkview RV Center concluded his year as 2024 chairman with insight.
“Representing RVDA and fostering all-win relationships within our industry is one of my greatest passions,” he said. “As much passion as we can cultivate for our industry, there should be a universal glue binding us together, and that is through the usage of principles. It is the principles of doing unto others as you wish they do unto you that allows us to possess empathy, driving improvements in education, while discovering enablers, binding all contributors to serving industry stakeholders with the best possible experience for the longevity of the RV experience.”
Horsey passed the RVDA chairman gavel to Larry Troutt III of Topper’s Camping Center in Waller, Texas. According to Horsey, Troutt advocates for dealers and brings a fresh perspective to the position.
Troutt said he looks forward to his new role. He encouraged dealers to fully participate in all that the convention has to offer.
He said, “This convention has continued to provide my family and I opportunities that we would never (have) come across, just because we chose to get involved and hang around at this event.”
In addition to Troutt, the 2025 RVDA officers are: First Vice Chairman Bob Been of Blue Compass RV in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Second Vice Chairman Brad Bacon of Pleasureland RV Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota; Treasurer Lane Bell of Bell Camper Sales in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Secretary LaDonna Meadows of Tacoma RV Center in Tacoma, Washington.
The new board members include Michael Moix of Moix RV Super Center in Conway, Arkansas; Jeff Myers of Myers RV Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Russ Perkins of Tri-Am RV Center in Bulls Gap, Tennessee. Travis Creech of Rex & Sons RV in Wilmington, North Carolina, remains a director.
RVDA committee leaders include RV Assistance Corporation Chairman Jeff Hirsch of Campers Inn, Jacksonville, Florida; RV Rental Association Chairman Scott Krenek of Krenek RV Center, Coloma, Michigan; and RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore, Hartville RV Center, Hartville, Ohio. Ingrassia is a non-voting board member.
Chairman Awards
During the meeting, Horsey also honored multiple industry members with the 2024 Chairman’s Service Award. The recipients are:
- Andy Cripe, Wave Express
- Curt Hemmeler, RV Technical Institute
- Corey Ruzicka, Priority RV Network
- Shawn Moran, Brown & Brown Dealer Services
- Rick Horsey, Parkview RV Center
- Joy Horsey, Parkview RV Center
Chris Andro was awarded the 2024 Special Award. The Convention/Expo continues today.
