Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) announced the promotion of longtime KOA leader, Chris Fairlee, to chief operations officer, and Brian Elsmore to chief information officer (CIO).
Over his 20-year tenure with KOA, Fairlee has built deep expertise across the organization’s franchise system, having led system development and franchise sales for many years. Over the past five years, his scope expanded further to include acquisitions and dispositions for KOA’s owned portfolio (OAK).
In his new role, Fairlee will oversee franchise services, OAK operations, commercial strategy, acquisitions and franchise development, consolidating these functions under a single Campground Operations division. This structure brings KOA’s primary revenue drivers into a focused team designed to strengthen campground performance, support franchisees and operators, and enhance the guest experience across KOA’s network.
“Chris is a deeply respected leader within the outdoor hospitality industry with a proven track record of driving growth and excellence across our KOA system,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. “For over two decades, he has helped shape our business, steward our brand and strengthen our franchise and owned portfolio. His deep understanding of both the operational and strategic aspects of our business uniquely positions him to help lead KOA into the future.”
“I’m deeply inspired by the dedication and passion of the people who make this company special,” said Fairlee. “As I step into this new role, I’m most excited to work even more closely with our talented team to foster growth, drive innovation, and to support one another as we deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Fairlee earned a B.S. in Business Marketing from Montana State University – Bozeman. He also serves on the RV Industry Association (RVIA) Campground Coalition and the Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI) Business Forum.
In addition, Elsmore’s promotion to CIO comes in response to the planned retirement of the current CIO and executive vice president of enterprise operations, Andy Metroka, at the end of March.
Elsmore has served as the senior vice president of information systems for the past 16 months. He has been with KOA for nearly four years, first joining the organization as director of IT operations, where he helped guide the continued modernization of KOA’s technology and operational platforms. As CIO, Elsmore will continue to advance KOA’s technology, data and systems infrastructure, further enhancing campground operations and elevating the guest experience across KOA’s network.
“Brian is a trusted leader who brings clarity, collaboration, and a relentless drive to improve our systems and processes,” said O’Rourke. “With deep expertise in systems architecture and IT operations, he has been instrumental in elevating KOA’s capabilities as technology becomes increasingly central to how we serve campers and support our campgrounds. Brian’s commitment to innovation positions us exceptionally well as we move forward.”
“As the recognized leader in outdoor hospitality, KOA has also distinguished itself at the forefront of technological innovation within our industry,” said Brian Elsmore, Chief Information Officer, KOA. “We are actively pursuing an array of exciting initiatives, from enhancing the booking and campsite selection experience for our campers, to empowering our campground owners and operators with innovative digital tools that elevate guest service. Our technology department has experienced remarkable growth, blending the knowledge of seasoned industry professionals with the creativity of forward-thinking visionaries. It is a privilege to lead this talented team as we shape the future of camping and continue to set new standards in outdoor hospitality technology.”
Prior to joining KOA, Elsmore held technology and operations leadership roles across multiple industries, including serving as CIO/CTO at Tower Hill Insurance Group for over twelve years in Florida. Earlier in his career, he was a systems engineer and a principal consultant for a multinational software company, as well as holding operations roles at ECS Solar and the Auto Club Group (now AAA Colorado). Elsmore earned a degree in Information Technology from the University of Leeds (UK).
Metroka will retire after seven years at KOA, where he led transformative change in the company’s approach to technology. He oversaw the development and evolution of KOA’s proprietary property management software, K2, and drove strategic shifts around data, security, and artificial intelligence. Prior to KOA, Metroka served in architecture and design engineering roles for Montana State Fund, River Technologies, and Baltimore Gas and Electric. He was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and attended the US Naval Academy.
