BearMike Bear, general manager of Coachmen’s Class C Divisions, has announced his retirement June 1. Bear has been a member of the Coachmen Team since September of 1988. Over his 34-year career with Coachmen, he has successfully served in a number of key leadership roles. Over the last 14 years under Forest River, he has served as general manager of Coachmen’s Class C divisions.
“Throughout Mike’s career, he has consistently conducted himself with integrity, respect and dedication. His loyalty and passion for our company has always placed an emphasis on the best interests of the Company, our Team Members and the Customer,” stated President of Coachmen RV, Michael Terlep.
“With Mike’s retirement, it gives us great pleasure to announce the promotion of two fine, capable leaders within our company to general management positions of Division 210 and 215, Luke Handyside and Nate Saunders,” Terlep added.
Handyside, a 19-year veteran in the RV Industry, has spent his career exclusively in the motorized segment. Handyside is a proven leader in developing relationships, winning teams and leading products. He has been a member of the Coachmen Class C Team since 2009 and has served as the sales manager of Division 210 since 2020. Effective June 1, 2022, Handyside will assume the position of General Manager of Division 210 which currently designs, manufactures and markets the Leprechaun, Freelander and Concord product lines.
Nate Saunders, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served two deployments in Afghanistan as a ranger-qualified infantry platoon leader and was honorably discharged in the spring of 2016 with the rank of captain. Saunders joined Coachmen in April of 2016, where he has handled Coachmen Prism and Cross Trail products. He currently serves as the sales manager of Division 215 and on June 1, he will assumed the position of general manager of Division 215 which currently designs, manufactures and markets the Prism and Cross Trail product lines.
Terlep added, “We look forward to Luke and Nate’s leadership and influence as we continue to lead Coachmen Class C’s to its mission of best in class product, customer service and market share growth.”
