The RV Industry Association (RVIA) presented awards to two industry leaders during last week’s RV Dealers Association Convention/Expo, which took place in Las Vegas from Nov. 11-15.
RVIA annually recognizes individuals, companies and organizations for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the RV industry with the presentation of awards honoring exceptional service and achievements in the areas of RV standards, education and government affairs.
The first award was the National Service Award, which honors an individual, company or organization outside the manufacturing segment who has contributed in an outstanding way to the industry.
“April Klein-Carroll with Lippert Components does not just meet these award qualifications, she exceeds them… by a lot!” said RVIA Chair Kevin McArt in presenting the award. “She is being recognized for her long-time, enthusiastic commitment to improving the customer experience around warranty repairs, service and parts processes, and the interdependent need for RV service technician training and recruitment.”
“Throughout her career she has fiercely focused on these issues both in her work as vice president of customer support services at Lippert, as well in her volunteer work with the RV Industry Association, where she has shared her invaluable knowledge and incomparable expertise on the board of directors, the RVTI Board of Directors, the RV Service Support Coalition, the Part Consolidation Task Force and many other committees,” said McArt. “RVTI has been a resounding success and that is due in no small part to April, who has been a guiding light since its inception.”
McArt also presented the National Education Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has been instrumental in the development of educational programs in the RV industry.
“Don Clark of Grand Design has championed industry education programs and technician training throughout his storied career,” McArt said in presenting the award. “He was a driving force in the creation and launch of the RV Technical Institute as one of the founding members of the organization. During his tenure as an RVTI board member, he and his company generously provided numerous teaching aids and equipment to RVTI and its students. In addition, Don has assisted RVTI with strategic planning, attended recruiting and training events, and is always promoting the importance of training and certification throughout the industry every chance he gets.”
