The California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC) recently announced that Debbie Sipe plans to resign from her positions as executive director of CalARVC and CEO of Camp-California! Marketing, its for-profit marketing subsidiary, next July.
Dyana Kelley, a life-long RV enthusiast, backpacker and former REI outdoor travel guide, will assume Sipe’s duties. Kelley, who joined CalARVC June 1 to manage the association’s marketing, was selected to replace Sipe after a nationwide executive search.
Sipe has already begun training Kelley for her new leadership positions at CalARVC as well as Camp-California! Marketing, which manages Camp-California.com, the association’s travel planning website and its award-winning Camp-California! campground directory.
“CalARVC and Camp-California! Marketing will be in good hands with Dyana,” said Randy Hendrickson, CalARVC President, who noted that Kelley has a natural passion for the camping and RV industries.
Kelley has traveled by RV to the 48 contiguous states (Alaska is on her bucket list), visited 26 national parks, and hiked many of California’s most beautiful trails, including portions of the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Professionally, she has worked as an outdoor recreation guide for REI, leading courses in backpacking, hiking, kayaking, paddleboard, and yoga. She has also run multiple businesses in the fitness industry and had a lengthy career in commercial insurance.
“To say that I am elated is an understatement,” Kelley said. “This opportunity is a culmination of my life’s work and passion and I am looking forward to bringing an even greater awareness of the many privately-owned RV parks and campgrounds as well as the outdoor recreation industry as a whole.”
Sipe, for her part, is ready to spend more time RVing herself. She and her husband, Michael, have always planned to retire early so that they could spend more time RVing and camping with their friends. Sipe also wants to spend more time with her parents, Tug and Judy Miller, who helped run CalARVC from its inception, back in the days when it was known as the California Travel Parks Association (CTPA).
The Millers built the Auburn KOA, which they opened in 1974 and continued to operate until they sold it in 1984. Sipe grew up working at the campground and started working for CTPA in 1981, during her first year at California State University, Sacramento, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in English.
Sipe initially managed CTPA’s Camper Club, which included a subscription to a monthly magazine, the annual printed campground directory and campground discounts. She managed CTPA’s Camper Club at the same time she worked as office manager for the Auburn KOA.
Sipe was promoted to executive director of CTPA in 2004, which became CalARVC in 2006. Camp-California! Marketing was formed in 2002 and Sipe became its CEO at the same time.
While Sipe is resigning from her leadership positions at CalARVC and Camp-California! Marketing, she plans to continue to be involved with the association.
“I will be submitting a proposal to the CalARVC board of directors to manage the government affairs portion of the job,” Sipe said, adding that both she and Kelley plan to attend ARVC’s Outdoor Hospitality Convention & Expo in Oklahoma City next week.
