40 Under 40: Grace Newman
Warranty Manager; East to West RV; With company: 5 Years | In industry: 10 Years
Grace was already juggling two important responsibilities at East to West when an unexpected situation added another.
Grace had recently been promoted to warranty manager but continued to serve as owner relations manager. Then her direct supervisor became ill and required surgery, taking him away from work for two weeks, so she took on his role, too. This meant she took on payroll, accelerated resolution of customer concerns, employee matters, vendor problems and various other concerns common in daily operations.
Her nominator says what stood out during that time wasn’t that Grace accepted the additional workload — it was how she handled the people around her as she did the work. “Seeing her take on these responsibilities, while keeping up on her own, and keeping her team calm and together, has been wonderful,” Grace’s nominator says.
That response illustrates the leadership Grace developed over a decade in the RV industry, including five years with East to West.
Warranty and owner relations occupy an important point in the relationship between an RV manufacturer and its customers. Problems arriving at those departments are rarely abstract. They involve owners who need answers, dealers seeking support and internal teams trying to determine the appropriate solution.
Managing those situations requires product and process knowledge, but it also demands composure, especially when customers or employees are frustrated.
Grace’s promotion to warranty manager recognizes her ability to handle that responsibility. Her willingness to absorb additional duties when her supervisor became unavailable offered another demonstration of it.
Grace stepped in and handled the work without, as her nominator puts it, “missing a beat.”
Outside work, her priorities shift to her husband and two children. The family enjoys traveling and spending time together, and fall Saturdays carry special significance: Showing their devotion to Notre Dame football.
Grace demonstrates an essential part of leadership, one where a leader keeps customers served, employees supported and everyday operations moving when circumstances suddenly change.
Grace’s advice for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry:
In the words of William James, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” Don’t be afraid to take up space. Ask the hard questions. Challenge the status quo. Have the courage to speak up when something matters. Be passionate. Be determined. And above all, be kind. The RV industry, and the people in it, need leaders who are willing to make a difference. Be that leader.
What it means to Grace to be a 40 Under 40 honoree:
This is incredibly meaningful to me. As a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, there have been moments when I’ve had to find the confidence to speak up, trust myself and believe that I belong in the room. I’m deeply grateful for the people who have encouraged me, challenged me and opened doors along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, and I hope to carry that support forward by encouraging others to find their voice, take up space and never underestimate the difference they can make.
