Jason Friesen of Voyager RV Centre was named the 2023 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year. Upon hearing the news, Friesen thanked his family and his dealership staff, who he said share his philosophy of always putting the customer first.
“This is a true honor, thank you all for this amazing recognition,” Friesen said as Melanie Taylor from RV Lifestyle Magazine, presented him with the 34th annual Walter Paseska Memorial Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award.
Each year, the RVDA of Canada invites nominations from across Canada for the Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award. The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Walt Paseska, founder of Walt’s Trailer Sales in Headingley, Manitoba, in recognition of his many years of commitment and dedication to the RV industry.
Voyager RV Centre first opened in 1984, when Jason’s father Rodney Friesen started the business with a few consignment trailers. Today, the dealership boasts a two-story office building, a parts store and over 350 RVs across its 12-acre property. Additionally, the dealership accommodates three service and detail shops, equipped with 25 RV service bays.
Jason Friesen took over daily operations in 2004. As vice president, Jason Friesen is still involved in many aspects of the dealership’s daily operations. His responsibilities encompass new RV inventory ordering, oversight of the majority of marketing efforts, assistance in trade appraisals, and direct collaboration with department managers to facilitate their growth and improvement. Friesen serves as the driving force behind the dealership’s customer experience. He ensures all staff members share a steadfast dedication to delivering unparalleled customer experiences.
Friesen and Voyager RV have been supportive of the industry’s associations. Voyager RV has had its general managers sit on the Board of the RVDA of British Columbia for 23 years. The company’s current general manager also sat on the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC as a director for several years and is now a director on the RVDA of Canada board.
Friesen is the RV Sector Chair for the Okanagan College Trades Training Complex development, helping spearhead fundraising to help with the $30 million expansion renovation of the Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC, which houses the long-standing RV Service Technician Training program in the province.
Under Friesen’s leadership in 2019, the dealership started a structured charitable donation program called Voyager Cares. The charitable donation initiative thanks the community for supporting the business. Employees actively participate by voting on their top seven local BC-based charitable organizations. These organizations are then designated as the “Voyager Cares Feature Charity” for specific months.
Along with Friesen, award nominees were:
- Keith Barrick, Keith’s Trailer Sales, Orton, ON
- Marco & Mylaine Boudreault, E Boudreault VR, Ancienne-Lorette, QC
- Chardell Brydon, Jerry’s RV Trailer Sales, New Minas, NS
- Jeff & Kyle Redmond, Bucars RV Centre, Balzac, AB
- Murray Sullivan, SMP RV, Huston, BC
