RickettThe RV Industry Association (RVIA) spotlighted Justin Rickett, manager of the RV Technical Institute (RVTI)’s Authorized Learning Partner program, for being named to RV PRO’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023.
RV PRO magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 event recognizes an extensive lineup of the next generation of RV industry leaders under 40 years old, across all market segments.
Rickett joined RVTI in May 2023 with four years of prior experience in the RV aftermarket industry. As its Authorized Learning Partner manager, he addresses the needs of the institute’s dealership partners, many of whom have multiple locations.
“I make sure our dealership partners have all the resources available to them through the RV Technical Institute to be able to train and certify their technicians. As a result, their technicians can go through our program and become Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or even master-certified techs,” Rickett said.
Simultaneously, he works with the institute’s educational partners, including several vocational and technical colleges who offer the RVTI curriculum to their students.
“I act as the liaison for our educational partners as well, making sure that they have everything that they need to successfully implement the Institute career path and curriculum,” he said.
While most of his time is spent supporting RVTI and its educational partners, Rickett also works with technicians on an individual level. He notes that his most significant achievement since joining the team is developing and strengthening the RV Technical Institute’s relationships with its dealer and educational partners. This involves supporting the institute’s current partners, as well as continuing to recruit new ones: “One of the biggest successes so far is the headway we’ve made in terms of recruiting educational partners,” he says.
Rickett will be ending the year on a high note, RVIA said – he’ll be leading both of the RV Technical Institute’s major events in December.
“I’m currently organizing our Authorized Learning Partner conference, which I’ll be hosting. I’m also spearheading our Level 3 Appliance Training course, which is scheduled for the same week,” he said.
Rickett believes that the most meaningful aspect of his role is seeing the RV technician career path’s positive impact on students and dealerships alike.
“It’s great to see technicians successfully complete the program knowing that they’re invested in this rewarding career. Knowing that I may have played a small part in that is really cool. I’m all about anything that can help this industry be better because I think this is a wonderful industry with wonderful people.”
He describes his experience being awarded RV PRO’s 40 Under 40 as humbling and rewarding. “It’s an extremely cool honor and I’m very blessed to be acknowledged. I’m thankful to be in this position with the RV Technical Institute and to have been introduced to the RV industry. The relationships I’ve made and the impacts that I’ve been a part of are awesome. I’m appreciative and grateful to be a part of this industry and I definitely want to continue doing everything I can to make it even better,” Rickett said.
