When the RV Technical Institute Board of Directors gathered in June to conduct a strategy session, one new voice provided crucial insight.
Bill Stewart, hired as the RVTI director of education June 2, joined the board and Executive Director Curt Hemmeler for the strategy session. Hemmeler said Stewart’s contributions were priceless.
“The first thing coming out of the strategy session was this was the best alignment we have ever had,” Hemmeler said. “From the dealers and RVDA to the suppliers, everyone was aligned on a focus of training. There was huge support for the continued growth of our learning partners. We have an additional focus on recruitment for the industry.”
Stewart brings 32 years of experience to the RVTI position. He holds certifications from Cummins, Grand Design, Heartland, among others. Hemmeler said he wanted to bring Stewart aboard a year earlier, but when the pandemic took hold, adding the position did not make sense at the time.
“Adding Bill as the director of education really allows us to fine-tune everything, based on his experience,” Hemmeler said. “We could understand whether we were meeting the needs of what the technicians needed to know.”
Hemmeler said Stewart’s dealer network experienced complemented trainers Mike Anderson and Mike Curl. Anderson has a background in standards and manufacturers, while Curl has supplier-side experience. The combination has Hemmeler feeling positive about RVTI’s path forward.
“RVTI will always be a work in progress and we will always be seeking perfection,” Hemmeler said. “We are rolling into the first year with all of our programs up and running, we have the great facility and close to 30 learning partners. I am happy, and I am very happy with the way the board is supporting us.”
