The Elkhart County Business Legacy Hall of Fame Gala will honor Ember Recreational Vehicles CEO and owner Ashley Bontrager Lehman with the Havilah Beardsley Recognition for Young Entrepreneur (under 40) on Oct. 19.
The award recognizes entrepreneurs under 40 years old who have displayed innovation, leadership and success in creating a growing business.
Lehman co-founded Ember in 2021. The manufacturer serves U.S. and Canadian markets. According to Ember, her vision centers on creating a company that “provides a fulfilling place of employment for its team members and creates innovative recreational vehicles with a strong focus on customer-centric features.”
Lehman said she is honored to receive the award.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible hard work and commitment of the entire Ember team,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to work hard on making a positive impact on our local community and the RV industry.”
Lehman is the granddaughter of Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager, the founders of Jayco. Ember said her early exposure to the RV world grew her passion and knowledge of the industry. Throughout her career, Lehman has gained skills in marketing, sales and leadership. She is an RVIA board member, contributing to industry policy development and standards.
The Junior Achievement & Lemonade Day serving Elkhart will host the invite-only gala at Lerner Theatre. The event recognizes local business leaders and serves as a fundraiser to support financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career skills training for more than 12,000 students in the region.
