40 Under 40: Brandy Droptiny
Customer Service Manager, Winnebago Towables; With company: 7 years | Industry experience: 11 years
Brandy Droptiny’s leadership focuses on empowering others, creating opportunities and fostering community.
As customer service manager at Winnebago Towables, she exemplifies inclusive, purpose-driven leadership that resonates within the organization and across the RV industry. Over her six years with Winnebago and her decade in the industry, Brandy has built a career defined by initiative, resilience and a commitment to others’ success.
Brandy works hard to provide her team with experiences that expand their professional and personal horizons. An obvious example is her decision to involve her staff in off-site industry events, such as the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) Campout, where, for the first time, her team members were invited to attend and stay for the weekend. These opportunities help her team feel valued and learn more about the RV world.
She was also the driving force behind a Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity, uniting employees from local Winnebago Business Units to work together on a shared project, which in turn strengthened teamwork and benefited the community. She also led the first-ever Winnebago towables division’s cardboard boat entry in the local community race, developing team spirit and building community pride.
This year, the Winnebago towables division underwent a major rebranding and adjusted to operating as a leaner organization, which required teams to do more with less while maintaining high standards of performance and innovation.
Brandy took the lead in helping the company navigate this shift. Through strategic leadership, she transformed her department into a fully functional and resilient team, even as they faced attrition and chose not to backfill certain roles. Her ability to optimize resources and maintain productivity has allowed the organization to focus on refining processes and identifying efficiencies, critical steps for sustainable growth.
Her approach ensured continuity during a challenging period and empowered her team to adapt, innovate and thrive. And her leadership directly contributed to the company’s ability to evolve while staying true to its values and delivering on its commitments.
Over the past year, Brandy’s department absorbed the responsibilities of four employees across two different teams with no disruption to service or support for retail customers. This seamless transition reflects her ability to optimize workflows and maintain high performance under lean conditions.
When a manager position became vacant, she backfilled it with an internal candidate, creating a career advancement opportunity and preserving critical knowledge. These decisions highlight her strategic leadership approach, which balances efficiency with employee development.
Brandy’s RV industry career is a testament to talent and determination. She began as a claims processor, quickly advancing to warranty adviser, where she provided technical support and built expertise. Her trajectory continued upward at Winnebago, first as a senior retail warranty representative and eventually to customer service manager.
Outside of her professional role, Brandy is a role model for others. She invests in the next generation as a youth mentor. She also finds balance through personal pursuits like hiking and knitting.
Brandy’s advice for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry:
Leadership isn’t defined by your title — it’s revealed through how well you steward your responsibilities. My motivation and adventurous spirit are rooted in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and inspired by Amelia Earhart’s words: “There’s more to life than being a passenger.”
What it means to Brandy to be a 40 Under 40 honoree:
Being nominated means the effort and heart I’ve poured into my team has gone beyond just getting through the day to day. It signifies that I’ve made a meaningful impact and left a lasting impression on those I’m honored to call both coworkers and friends.
