Last week, Entegra Coach hosted another year of its homecoming event.
This year, nearly 500 luxury diesel coach owners, staff and suppliers attended what the company called “this annual celebration of learning, celebrating each other and memory-making.” Approximately 200 coaches arrived at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana, to attend the meet-up.
Highlights of the event included:
- Pat Carroll, director of product development, holding his annual “What’s New” session to discuss all of the changes and additions to the 2024 models on Tuesday
- Training classes and a vendor fair
- A 1960s revival-themed evening which included a tribute to Joyce Skinner, who is retiring after 32 years at Jayco
- A “western roundup” experience
- The annual lighting of the “C-Lights,” where owners turn on all their coaches’ front lights for aerial pictures of the fairgrounds
“We couldn’t have asked for a better week with our loyal customers,” said Nic Martin, vice president of sales. “This week is really a chance for us to express our gratitude to our Entegra Coach owners, while offering them the opportunity to learn more about their coaches and I think our team has been successful on both those fronts this week.”
During the ’60s tribute night, skinner was decked out in a Beatles T-shirt and a peace sign and took part in the merriment.
“After 40 years in the RV industry, 32 of those with Entegra Coach, I have made the decision to retire as of June 30th this year. This decision has not been an easy one; I have always loved my job and the opportunities it has afforded me over the years, but realize that I need to start checking the boxes on my bucket list while I am still able to do so,” said Skinner.
Entegra is currently transitioning Joyce’s role to a veteran team of leaders across customer service. Jacob Shearer will become director of customer service for motorized; PJ Clanton will become director of technical training; motorized factory service is led by Royce Pletcher, who joined Entegra in September as the factory service manager.
“Congratulations to Joyce on a well-earned retirement,” said Steve Claude, vice president of corporate customer service. “The love and dedication she has demonstrated to the motorized owners has set the foundation for how we do business. We wish her the very best as she completes her bucket-list in retirement with friends and family.”
Skinner spent her first 18 years with Jayco on the towables side of the business,at Starcraft RV. In 2010, she transitioned to Jayco and the following year became part of the newly formed motorhome division, Entegra Coach.
Skinner said in a recent message to owners, “Personally, I have so many wonderful memories of our times together, whether it was our first hello at a show, time spent together at a rally, dancing in the conga line at homecoming, or if you were just here for service, I will never forget you. Some of you I only had contact with over the phone or through email but I want you to know, that regardless of what brought us together, I am thankful that our paths crossed. I hope that whatever it was I was able to help with, that I made a difference.”
“Joyce is the embodiment of the values we live by at Entegra Coach,” said Jayco president and CEO Ken Walters. “Her love and honor of God and support for family life are unmatched. It will take a village to replace her and that is exactly what we plan to do. If they were to carve a Mount Rushmore of Entegra, Joyce would be front and center without question.”