40 Under 40: Chase Rhode

At just 29 years old, Chase Rhode has already built a career defined by growth, resilience and leadership in the RV industry. Over his career, he has played pivotal roles in scaling startup brands, developing dealer networks and delivering measurable results.

Today, as district sales manager for Keystone RV’s Eastern Region, Chase oversees sales for Reign, Sprout and the newly launched Walkabout brand, reflecting Keystone’s confidence in his ability to drive success in a competitive market.

Chase’s industry journey began at Forest River, where he served as southeast sales manager for Surveyor and r-pod. There, he learned the fundamentals of sales strategy and dealer relations while gaining a firsthand view of how established brands operate at scale.

That experience laid the groundwork for his leap into entrepreneurship as co-founder of Field & Sports LLC, where he scaled a national rep and consulting firm to launch multiple RV brands. Through this venture, he built dealer training systems, opened retail networks and generated millions in sales for manufacturer partners.

At Modern Buggy, Chase was tasked with building traction in the brand’s early years. Here, he co-managed product development and dealer growth in an extremely challenging retail environment, helping to grow retail sales by 382% year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, with projections for another 57% increase in 2025. Modern Buggy was also recognized by two industry publications in 2023.

At Oliver Travel Trailers, Chase led the company from a direct-to-consumer sales model into a national dealer distribution network. By securing retail partners, developing scalable systems and enhancing marketing efforts, Chase helped generate millions in new business and positioned the company for sustainable long-term growth.

In each case, the challenge was the same: brands with limited resources competing against the biggest names in the industry. By developing scalable dealer training, securing strong retail partners and creating marketing strategies that punched above each company’s weight, Chase helped those companies thrive and grow.

These achievements led to his current role as district sales manager at Keystone RV. Now overseeing sales across the Eastern U.S. for three brands, Chase is entrusted with expanding dealer networks, building market presence and ensuring that Keystone’s newest products thrive in a dynamic industry landscape.

Chase is a former Division I soccer player at Wake Forest University and University of California-Davis. He earned his master’s degree in management with distinction from the University of Nottingham.

He carries the discipline of athletics into every aspect of his life. The co-founder and player for the Raleigh Rebels, a semipro soccer team, he used his ability to grow organizations from the ground up to secure major sponsorships, including tens of thousands of dollars from The Coca-Cola Company. It also helped him lead the team into nationally televised tournaments on ESPN and Peacock.

Chase is also a volunteer soccer coach at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Cary, North Carolina. For the past four years, he has mentored middle school athletes, emphasizing growth, accountability and teamwork. In 2025, his leadership guided the girls’ team to a 17-1 record.

Chase’s advice for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry:

My advice is simple: stay resilient, stay humble and keep showing up. This industry has highs and lows, but consistency wins. If you approach each challenge with discipline and gratitude, and focus on serving dealers and customers first, I have learned opportunity will follow.

What it means to Chase to be a 40 Under 40 honoree:

For me, this recognition is less about me and more about the people who shaped me — my father, who has worked in this industry for decades and taught me the value of perseverance; my teammates and dealers, who trust me; and my faith, which has guided me. Being named to the 40 Under 40 affirms that the work we’ve poured into building brands, supporting dealers and creating community truly matters. It’s humbling, and it motivates me to keep striving to be worthy of the trust placed in me.

For more 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 honorees, click here.