With heartfelt gratitude to his family and fellow dealers, outgoing RV Dealers Association (RVDA) Chairman of the Board Ryan Horsey of Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, Delaware, passed the baton yesterday to incoming Chairman of the Board Larry Trout III of Topper’s Camping Center in Waller, Texas.
Crowds of dealers have been gathering in the hallways, meeting rooms and the exhibit hall at the RVDA Con/Expo at the Paris Las Vegas this week, with members coming together Wednesday morning for their annual meeting to confirm new board members as well as Trout’s leadership of the board.
Horsey paid homage to several influences in his life with the 2024 Chairman Awards, including his father, Rick Horsey, and his wife, Joy Horsey.
“Above all things, he has taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons as a steward for those who God brings into our lives by applying a filter with an abundance mindset enriching the lives of those around us serving others before serving ourselves,” Horsey said. “This person represents many things to many people ranging as a past chairman of RVDA, past chairman for the Mike Molino RV Learning Center, recipient of multiple RVDA Chairman Service Awards, the James B. Summers Award, and the list could go on.
“To me the best way I can refer to this person is as Dad.”
And to his wife, Horsey said: “This person has not only witnessed my aspirations in motion but has been one of the greatest supporters for myself, our family and our dealership. This person shares and believes in the same aspirations I have for our industry and for the positive impacts RVing can have on multiple families just like it has with ours.”
This year, the coveted James B. Summers Award was given to Ronnie Hepp, a member of the RV/MH Hall of Fame and a retired longtime employee of the RVDA.
“This person played an invaluable role in organizing the RVDA Convention/Expo, which has evolved into the major profession development and networking event of the year for RV Dealers and the industry,” RVDA President Phil Ingrassia said of Hepp. “And if that’s not enough, this year’s JBS Award recipient worked as the key administrative executive for the staff, the RVDA headquarters building, and kept up all the other details large and small that go into running a national trade association.”
Other recipients of the 2024 Chairman of the Awards were:
- Andy Cripe, Wave Express
- Curt Hemmeler, RV Technical Institute
- Corey Ruzicka, Priority RV Network
- Shawn Moran, Brown & Brown
In addition to confirming Trout as the new chairman for 2025, RVDA members also confirmed the following officers:
- First Vice Chairman: Bob Been of Blue Compass RV, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Second Vice Chairman: Brad Bacon of Pleasureland RV Center, St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Treasurer: Lane Bell of Bell Camper Sales, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
- Secretary: LaDonna Meadows of Tacoma RV Center, Tacoma, Washington
And new members of the board of directors were chosen:
- Michael Moix of Moix RV Super Center, Conway, Arkansas
- Jeff Myers of Myers RV Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Russ Perkins of Tri-Am RV Center, Bulls Gap, Tennessee
Horsey also recognized Frank Roberts of Longview RV Superstore in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, as an outgoing member of the board.
“Frank has been a valuable member of the board as the association dealt with a number of challenges as we emerged from the pandemic,” Horsey said. “He’s a passionate advocate for dealers and an effective spokesman for the industry during Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.”
A special award was presented to former RVDA chairman and chairman of the con/expo, Chris Andro, Hemlock Hill RV Sales, Southington, Connecticut.
“Chris knows how important it is to ensure that this convention appeals to all types of dealers, and he worked with the staff and committee throughout the year to put together this year’s program,” Horsey said.
The RVDA Con/Expo continues through Friday with workshops geared toward helping dealers grow their businesses and address efficiencies in their processes, plus the expo hall, which is open through 11:30 a.m. PT today.
