Kampgrounds of America (KOA), which recently restructured to approach business operations more holistically, announced two new leaders tasked with leading both franchise and owned campground operations.
Jill Currier has been promoted to senior vice president of operations for the owned properties of KOA. In addition, Bill Gottwals joins the company to oversee the franchised locations as senior vice president of franchise operations.
With more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, Kampgrounds of America entered 2023 taking a unified approach to business functions and campground operations. Currently, the company has more than 40 owned locations that Currier will lead while supporting the goals and initiatives of the larger KOA system of campgrounds.
In her new role for the company, Currier will oversee a national team of campground professionals operating and growing the portfolio of KOA campgrounds across North America. As it is a focused area of expansion for KOA, Currier will be a pivotal leader within the organization, the company said.
Currier has been a crucial part of KOA’s owned portfolio operations staff for more than 15 years. During that time, she has held several roles and proven her ability to work strategically and cross-functionally to achieve results, KOA said.
“Over a long career with KOA, Jill has proven her ability to lead teams to exceptional results,” said Darin Uselman, chief operations officer for Kampgrounds of America. “Recently expanding my focus across the diverse brands and operations of KOA, Inc., including our franchise partners and Terramor, it was essential that a dynamic leader was tasked with overseeing our owned portfolio. Jill has been pivotal to our impressive growth as a campground owner and operator and will undoubtedly bring continued success as a premier provider of outdoor hospitality.”
“I am honored and humbled that KOA has entrusted me to lead our owned portfolio operations,” said Currier, a Billings, Montana native. “I consider this company an important part of my family and am excited to take on this challenge and accomplish great things.”
Filling a similar role within franchise operations, Gottwals, the new senior vice president of franchise operations, will be instrumental in the success of more than 440 franchised campgrounds with extensive experience building relationships and encouraging customer satisfaction.
Before coming to Kampgrounds of America, Gottwals spent more than 30 years in different leadership roles in the banking and financial industry. He served as a regional vice present at U.S. Bank before holding the title of chief banking officer at 1st Interstate Bank.
Uselman noted Gottwals’ ability to foster relationships in the hiring decision: “The connection we have with our franchise partners is central to the success of both their business and ours. Bill has the financial expertise to help guide our franchisees and experience building meaningful relationships that ensure long-term partnerships.”
