RVDA of Canada, RV Lifestyle Magazine and RV Dealer News have announced the finalists for the 2021 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award.
Three nominees are finalists to receive the award, which will be handed out in a Zoom presentation at 11 a.m. PT, 2 p.m. ET, on Thursday, Nov. 18.
Along with a description from the RVDA of Canada, the nominees are:
Chardell Brydon
Jerry’s RV Trailer Sales & Service
New Minas, Nova Scotia
Jerry’s RV was started in 1987 by Chardell’s father, Jerry Weir. Chardell began working in the family business in 1987 and has been the operating dealer principal since 1993.
Chardell Brydon is very committed to expanding training opportunities to members of the Atlantic RVDA. She has served and chaired the Atlantic RVDA training committee, and plays an active role on the Atlantic RVDA show committee. She is also the current Chair of the RVDA of Canada Education and HR committee.
While not a director on the Atlantic RVDA Board, she is a keen participant and contributor in the regional board of directors meetings.
Chardell is also actively involved in her local community through supporting Annapolis Valley Ridge Runners, which maintains over 600 kilometers of groomed trails for hikers, horseback riders, ATVers, skiers and snowmobilers.
With keen interest in environmental conservation, Chardell is also a long-time supporter of Ducks Unlimited, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife and people.
Jason Friesen
Voyager RV Centre
Winfield, British Columbia
Growing up in the family business, Jason Friesen was not groomed to takeover Voyager RV. He had dreams of becoming a high school teacher. It was during his off-time as a teacher-on-call that he discovered his passion in sales and marketing. It was then that he realized how much he enjoys working at Voyager RV and in the RV business itself.
In 2003, he assumed the role of sales manager, and that led to becoming the vice president and the active dealer principal role he occupies today. Jason continues to drive the Friesen family mission of creating the best customer experience in the RV industry, even throughout the tough times of the recession.
A recent initiative that Jason Friesen is very proud of is the “Voyager Cares” campaign. Voyager staff would select the top seven local charities to receive a combined $100,000 in donations from Voyager RV. The charities were often ones that have strong personal or professional affiliations with staff. This charitable campaign gave the entire Voyager family great pride in supporting those in need in their own community.
Andy Thomson
Can-Am RV Centre
London, Ontario
Can‐Am RV has been in business for 51 years at the same location. The RV business was started by three Airstreamers: Andy Thomson Sr., Dr. Lou Hershey and Al Hamil. The dealership started as an Airstream only store but slowly expanded its product lines.
Andy started working part‐time from day one at the just 11 years old. At that time, the shop encompassed the store, showroom and three service bays. After a few years, it expanded to three buildings. Today, Can-Am RV is a dealership with more than 20,000 square feet, 18 service bays and a staff of more than 50 people.
Andy is keen to volunteer his time and expertise, whether in the RV business or in the community. He has served on the Ontario RVDA show and government relations committee and also on the RVDA of Canada Board.
He is exemplary of living and breathing the RV lifestyle. He has served as the chairman of the board for Go RVing Canada. Even after his tenure on the board, he continues to promote and support Go RVing Canada initiatives and was a key driver for the “Stronger Together” campaign to support frontline workers at the start of the pandemic.
