La Grande, Ore.-based RV manufacturers Northwood Mfg. and Outdoors RV has announced RV industry veteran Ward King is retiring. King is winding up his almost 49-year career as the COO of Northwood Investments, the parent company of both Northwood and ORV. As COO over the past 8 years, King oversaw all the production facilities and daily operations at both the Northwood and ORV manufacturing complexes in La Grande. He had a very critical role in guiding both companies in the aftermath of 2008’s Great Recession.
King began his career with a 31-year run at Fleetwood starting in 1970. His attention to detail and insightful decision-making abilities allowed him to rise quickly through the ranks, the company stated, holding many high-level positions on both the plant and corporate level.
King is quick to give thanks and credit to those along the way who were key in his training and supported him, including (in chronological order of work history): Steve Reeder (1977 to 1980); Bruce Boylen, whom King views as his chief mentor (1979); Ron Nash (1980 to 1988) and; Frank Subasic (1988 to 1992).
“Without question I would never have had the opportunities presented to me nor garnered near the success I have been blessed by without the influence and support of these great men and dear friends,” said King.
“Ward is and always has been a tremendous asset to both companies,” said Ron and Sherry Nash, owners of both Northwood Mfg. and Outdoors RV. “Not only will we miss his tremendous experience and incredible eye and for what a highly functional, quality RV can and should be but even more importantly we will miss a great friend to us all and a genuinely good person. We wish him all the best in retirement.”
A succession plan has been in place for over a year, since in October 2017 when then Northwood CFO Craig Orton was promoted to CEO and long-time Corporate Controller, Cerise Smallwood, was promoted to the CFO position. Orton is also now the acting general manager at the Northwood facility while Smallwood is filling the GM role at Outdoors RV.
“We truly wish to thank Ward for his dedication and commitment to always getting it right,” said Craig Orton, Northwood Investments CEO. “He is a true professional and we will certainly miss his energy and leadership. We wish Ward well in this next chapter of his life.”
“I want to personally thank every member of the Northwood and ORV teams for their dedication to providing our dealers and customers with the best quality RV available in the industry – it has been a real pleasure to be a part of what truly is a wonderful work family,” King concluded.
His last day will be Friday, Jan. 25. He can be reached at ward.king@northwoodmail.com.