Meet RV PRO’s Inaugural Editorial Advisory Board

As a leading resource for the RV industry, RV PRO is always looking for ways to become better connected to experts and thought leaders who can shed light on their particular segment of the industry. With this goal in mind, we created an Editorial Advisory Board including a variety of RV industry professionals who can advise editors on topics such as the global economy’s impact on the industry, legislation and regulations, technical advancements, best practices for service and F&I departments, and much more. We hope consulting with the industry’s brightest minds will allow us to better understand widespread challenges and boost our ability to bring our readers informative and useful content.

James Ashurst

RV Industry Association– Executive Vice President

Ashurst currently serves as the executive vice president at the RV Industry Association. In this role, he oversees teams leading the association’s membership, research, finance, IT, events, communications and marketing efforts — including the RV industry’s popular Go RVing campaign. Prior to joining the association, Ashurst served as vice president of communications for Travel Channel, the cable television network now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, where has oversaw communications strategy, media relations, industry events and campaign executions to support the key programming, brand, marketing, advertising and affiliate sales.

 

Chris Barth

Ember Recreational Vehicles – Founder / VP / COO

Barth, known for his trendsetting designs and product innovations, has over 28 years of experience in the RV industry. He began his career working as a supplier to the industry before moving to the OEM side. Since 2009, he has used his innovative and creative skill set in RV sales management and product development to grow market share, continuously challenging the status quo. Throughout his career, Barth has established strong team, supplier and dealer relationships, where he has earned trust and respect for being an industry mover and shaker. He currently serves as vice president and COO of Ember Recreational Vehicles, which he cofounded in 2021.

 

Susan Carpenter

RV Women’s Alliance – President

With over 30-plus years of experience in the RV industry, Carpenter has held key leadership roles in various companies and associations. Since 2019, she has led the aftermarket division at B&B Molders and also serves as the founder and president of the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA).

 

Paul Choquette

Blue Ox – Vice President of Operations

Choquette is the vice president of operations at Blue Ox and has a background in engineering. An employee with Blue Ox and in the RV industry for 15 years, Choquette enjoys coaching youth sports and spending time in the outdoors with his wife and two kids.

 

Travis Creech

Rex & Sons RVs – Operations Manager

With over 26 years of experience in the RV industry, Creech is a seasoned operations manager at Rex & Sons RVs, a family-owned and operated RV dealership in Wilmington, North Carolina. Creech says he is passionate about providing quality products and services to his customers, ensuring their satisfaction and loyalty. Creech is a certified RV technician from the RV Technical Institute (RVTI), serves as president of the North Carolina RV Dealers Association (NCRVDA) and serves on the board of directors for the national RV Dealers Association (RVDA).

 

Earl B. Hunter, Jr.

Black Folks Camp Too – President

A seasoned outdoor industry executive focused on ROI, Hunter launched Black Folks Camp Too to help the outdoor industry invite and welcome more consumers to the lifestyle while increasing unity in the outdoor community and beyond.

 

Jeffrey Hunter

Storyteller Overland – Founder / CEO / Chairman

Hunter launched Storyteller Overland LLC in 2018. Previously, he served as CEO of McSweeney Designs LLC from 2012-2018, focusing on product innovation and business development in luxury automotive manufacturing. His leadership centers on teamwork, creativity, customer experiences and community engagement. Hunter and Storyteller have been members of the RVIA since 2018, and he introduced the innovative MODE Adventure Van lineup to the world at the RVX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2019. Beyond his professional endeavors, Hunter lives in Helena, Alabama, with his wife, Lisa, and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and embarking on his own off-grid adventures with family and friends in his Storyteller MODE van.

 

Jennifer C. Johnson

RV Park Management – Southeast Regional Manager

Florida RV Trade Association 2024/2025 Region 7 Treasurer

As a native of Key West, Florida, with four children and a fulfilling marriage, Johnson’s career in the RV industry spans over 15 years, starting at Monaco Coach Corporation in 2008. In 2020, Johnson transitioned into the campground sector where she collaborates with the Florida RV Parks and Campground Association and holds the officer position as Region 7 treasurer for the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA). Johnson oversees multiple RV resorts and campgrounds, driven by her enduring passion for the RV industry.

 

Tom Kline

Better Vantage Point LLC – Founder / Lead Consultant

Kline’s specialty consulting firm is focused on protecting and safeguarding dealers by employing targeted risk transference, regulatory compliance and risk mitigation techniques. Kline works with both publicly held and private dealerships, routinely speaks at national conferences and 20 Groups, and frequently presents webinars on current events. Kline’s writing and ideas have been featured in multiple prominent national publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, RV PRO and more. He is also an endorsed expert by the RVDA and is a sought-after podcast guest.

 

Eva Mitic

Go Power! | Dometic – Marketing Manager, Mobile Power Solutions

With a foundation in journalism and a passion for technology, Mitic is a dedicated learner who prioritizes education and clear communication in everything she does. A member of the Go Power! Solar team since 2016, she has been recognized as one of RV PRO’s 40 Under 40 honorees. She is a leader in making mobile power education accessible and known for her ability to translate complex technical concepts into simple, everyday language.

Trey Miller

Jayco Family of Companies – Vice President of Marketing

Miller has been in the RV industry for nearly 25 years, holding executive leadership roles in some of the industry’s largest companies. Since 2020, he has been in charge of marketing for the Jayco Family of Companies, including the Jayco, Entegra Coach, Highland Ridge RV and Starcraft RV brands.

 

Randal Murray

Pete’s RV Dealer Group – Director of Orientation

Murray says he is a father to a wonderful, intelligent, beautiful daughter whom he adores, and he loves what he does for work. Daily he can be found educating customers and employees alike on safety, proper use and maintenance as well as the function of an RV. As a long-time tech specializing in troubleshooting electrical and appliance issues, Murray gets called in on the units that are more difficult to diagnose at multiple store locations. With his time in the industry, he has become the bridge to the OEMs for Pete’s RV Dealer Group when help is needed from business partners at the manufacturing level.

 

Mary Pouliot

Thetford LLC – Executive Vice President of the Americas

Pouliot joined Thetford in 2006, and over the years, she has excelled in numerous strategic positions, including vice president of sales and marketing, director of customer service, and director of OEM sales, consistently driving growth and innovation within the organization. Her deep commitment to the RV industry is demonstrated by her broad leadership across several influential boards and committees. She currently holds key positions as vice chair of the RV Industry Association’s board of directors executive committee, chair of the RV Technical Institute’s board of directors, chair of the supplier committee, and serves on both the audit and awards committees.

 

Michael Rupchock

Lippert – Vice President of Marketing, Aftermarket

Over the past 13 years at Lippert (LCI Industries), Rupchock played a key role in guiding the company through its recent digital transformation. Drawing from his extensive experience in digital marketing, CRM, IoT, e-commerce and other innovative solutions, Rupchock is focused on collaborating with the aftermarket sales team to highlight existing and new products to dealer partners. His strategies are designed to strengthen dealer relationships and ensure Lippert’s offerings align with retailer needs. A lifelong learner, Rupchock enjoys applying new digital trends to all aspects of his life and career, and in his free time, he loves spending time with his grandkids.

 

Jesse Stopnitzky

Performance Brokerage Services – Co-Owner

Stopnitzky is the director of the RV Division at Performance Brokerage Services and a proud RVDA Silver Partner. The family-owned company advises clients on the purchase and sale of automotive and RV dealerships. With 30 years of experience, 900-plus dealerships sold, a 90% closing rate and operating out of 10 regional offices, the company says it has the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. As an expert on RV buy-sell activity, the company attributes its success to an unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity and ethical conduct.

 

Juan Tejeda

PPL Motor Homes – CEO

As chief executive officer at PPL Motor Homes, Tejeda is a member of the board of directors for the Texas Recreational Vehicle Association (TRVA). He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his Master of Business Administration from Baylor University.

 

Tony Yerman

RV Dealers Association – RV Fixed Operations Consultant

Yerman has been a consultant to RVDA and The Mike Molino RV Learning Center for 17 years. A Master Certified RV Technician, he holds all five of the RV Learning Center Fixed Operations Certificates. Yerman has worked on RVIA/RVTI Educational Review Committees for technician training and to develop Learning Center Fixed Operations courses. He has served as chair of the task force for the updating of the RVDA Service Management Guide and also authored and published the RV Damage Repair Estimator for RV collision and storm damage repairs.