The following Q&A was provided by the RV Industry Association with recently-elected Chairman of the Board, Jeff Rutherford.
Last fall, the RV Industry Association Board of Directors elected Jeff Rutherford, President and CEO of Airxcel, as Chairman of the Board for the year 2021. Rutherford, a longtime RV Industry Association member shared his goals for the upcoming year, as well as the value of the Association’s programs.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS RV INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN?
I was fortunate to assume the Chairmanship when the industry is experiencing great demand, positive press, and a large increase of first-time consumers. My goal is to retain our focus on activities that will keep these successes in place as the industry works to increase dealer inventories, train RV service techs, resolve supply chain issues, and increase access to places to RV.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR THE INDUSTRY IN 2021?
These would be the goals from the strategic planning activities completed last year. Beyond the core signature programs, they include:
- Reestablishing the RV Industry Association member proposition
- Improving campground availability
- Improving the consumer experience
- Continue to appeal to a younger and more diverse demographic
COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES ON WHICH THE RV INDUSTRY SHOULD FOCUS?
Ensuring we are keeping focus on the product quality and consumer’s experience. Everything from build quality, proper component evaluation and vetting, repair event cycle time (RECT), RV technician training to repair right the first time, and new consumer education is part of ensuring these new RVers become RVers for life.
WHAT IMPACT DOES THE RV INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION HAVE ON THE RV INDUSTRY?
I’ve been involved with the RV Industry Association for a long time. I joined the Board of Directors in 2004. Prior to that, I was involved in committees, annual meetings and the like – my personal affiliation with the association has been in place much of my career in this industry. The list is pretty long when I think about the value this association brings to the industry. When you think about self-regulation, it’s probably the most critical. We’ve been able to keep outside government agencies, for the most part, out of our business and allowing us to do it ourselves. We have continually worked towards developing and providing better products and better resources, to all members, to help manage business such as statistics and data. I think the association has talented staff, but it also encompasses a great circle of volunteer members who contribute. That combination has really made the RV Industry Association one of the stronger trade associations in the market today.
DESCRIBE THE INFLUENCE OF THE RV INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION’S SIGNATURE PROGRAMS TO THE INDUSTRY
Go RVing’s ability to help elevate the RV industry has been a tremendous support for everybody associated with the industry. The association’s focus on the repair event cycle time (RECT), ways to improve on customer experience, and developing training for technicians with the RV Technical Institute, will be a long-standing accomplishment. I would also note the work accomplished in government affairs to ensure that the RV industry is not sucked into legislative activity that would be unfavorable for this industry. Establishing the RV Caucus has been impactful to make sure our elected officials continue to understand the value of the RV industry and its economic contributions. I could go on and on about all the amazing things this organization is doing for this industry.
SHARE THE VALUE YOU AND YOUR TEAM EXPERIENCED HAVING PARTICIPATED IN RVs MOVE AMERICA WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The primary purpose of RVs Move America Week (formerly known as Committee Week) is the committee work itself. This time of year is carved out for members of the RV industry to come together and set the objectives and the direction going forward. In addition, RV industry colleagues storm our nation’s capital as part of the association’s annual advocacy event. The industry has always done a great job of going up to Capitol Hill and meeting with congressional members to enlighten them on some of the things that are going on in the RV industry, as well as asking them for their support on upcoming legislation.