The RV Industry Association announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously selected Craig Kirby to serve as president of the association.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity,” Kirby told RV PRO in a telephone interview. “I’ve had a passion about this industry for the past 25 years. It’s an industry that brings so much joy to so many people. I wouldn’t be in this position without the support I’ve received over the years from staff, members – especially the board and executive committee – our industry partners and my family. I’ve learned from all of them and I firmly believe my selection reflects the confidence the board has in our immensely talented and dedicated RVIA team.”
Kirby, a 25-year veteran of RVIA and long-time senior leader within the organization, replaces Frank Hugelmeyer who stepped down earlier this year.
Kirby, who has operated as interim president since May, most recently served as senior vice president of government relations and general counsel. In this role, Kirby led several of the organization’s most prominent member service divisions including federal and state government relations, legal, industry standards, as well as the organization’s international business teams.
During Kirby’s time as interim president, he said he has done a lot of listening to the membership and learning what they believe his priorities should be.
“From our member surveys, from in-person meetings, from my listening tour and in our strategic plan, our focus is going to be on our signature program,” he said. “The self-regulation, the federal and state advocacy, the market promotion and now we’ve added a fourth signature program in RVTI. RVTI reminds me a lot of when Go RVing began. I have no doubt it will be just as successful.
“We’ve heard from the board that they would like more of an emphasis on data,” he said. “We are going to be providing more research and data and highlighting it in our communications. We will also make it easier to find and use on RVIA.org to help our members.”
Kirby said he wants members to know RVIA is there to help support their companies and that he hopes they view the organization as an extension of their own offices with a Washington, D.C. address
“We want to be viewed as a resource to be used without hesitation,” he said. “We’ve got an excellent team in Reston and California and Elkhart who are all eager to help.”
As for the burning question left from the previous RVIA leadership: What’s to become of the RVIA show?
“We’re going to be looking for opportunities with our industry partners if it’s a direction our member partners want to go. But I don’t see anything happening in the next two years,” he said.
The Board chose Kirby for his enthusiasm and knowledge.
“For over 25 years, Craig has been an ardent supporter of the RV industry and a primary driver of the Association’s mission to promote and protect the industry and its members,” said Garry Enyart, RVIA chairman and director mobile generator sales and coach care with Onan/Cummins Power Generation. “Craig understands the unique nature of this industry and recognizes the needs of the membership. His demonstrated leadership over many of the association’s signature programs, coupled with his knowledge of the evolving business marketplace both domestically and internationally, make him ideally suited to drive the organization forward.”
“I know we can not only achieve but surpass our goals because we have an extraordinary group of dedicated and talented team members who put the membership first,” Kirby said. “I am excited about continuing our work on behalf of our members to take the industry to even greater heights through our education and training, marketing outreach, and our state and federal advocacy efforts.”
Kirby has more than 30 years of experience in providing counsel to private companies and nonprofit organizations. Before joining RVIA in 1994, Kirby was in private practice with a law firm.