40 Under 40: Holly Tope
Director of Ownership Experience, Ember Recreational Vehicles; With company: 3 years | Industry experience: 10-plus years
Holly Tope joined Ember Recreational Vehicles when the company was still in its startup phase but turned any challenges she and the company faced into opportunities.
“As one of the foundational team members, she played a critical role in building and shaping the ownership experience department from the beginning,” says Ember Recreational Vehicles Founder/President/CEO Ashley Bontrager Lehman.
With over 10 years in the RV industry, Holly, 39, applied her background in quality engineering to design scalable systems, processes and team structures that could grow alongside the company.
“One of the biggest challenges Holly helped overcome was establishing a customer service framework that could support a rapidly expanding customer base while maintaining a high-touch, personalized experience,” Ashley says. “She developed protocols for handling inquiries, resolving issues and capturing feedback — all while training and mentoring a new team in a fast-paced, evolving environment.”
As director of ownership experience at Ember Recreational Vehicles, Holly leads the company’s customer service department and does so with clarity, empathy and strategic insight.
“Holly brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and emotional intelligence to her leadership style,” Ashley says. “She consistently guides her team with discernment, ensuring that every customer interaction is handled with care and resolved with integrity.”
Within the organization, Holly has cultivated a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering her team to think critically, act decisively and always prioritize the customer’s experience.
Holly’s leadership expands outside of the company. She’s a member of the RV Industry Association’s Emerging Leaders Coalition and a staunch advocate for higher standards in post-sale support and ownership engagement.
When she’s not working, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, Corey, and her three children. She also likes to golf and volunteer in her community.
Ashley describes Holly as a “quiet force of innovation” and went on to say, “Holly’s contributions have not only helped Ember overcome the growing pains of a startup but have also laid the foundation for a customer experience model that sets a new standard in the RV industry.”
What advice do you have for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry?
As Craig Groeschel says, leadership is about trust and influence, not just titles. Focus on earning trust from your team by being transparent, reliable and empathetic. When your team trusts you, they’ll follow your vision even in challenging times.
Actively listen to your team, customers and dealers; ensure everyone feels heard and valued. When people feel empowered, they become more engaged, which ultimately leads to better outcomes.
The RV industry is always evolving, and staying ahead means fostering a mindset of constant learning and process improvement. Consistently review what’s working and what’s not, and be willing to repeat. Small, intentional actions can lead to big progress over time.
Always keep the customer experience at the heart of your decisions. Understanding the customer’s journey will help you make decisions that resonate with their needs and expectations.
What does it mean to you to be a 40 Under 40 honoree?
Being named a 40 Under 40 honoree is truly humbling. I never imagined receiving such an accolade in my career, but it’s an incredible honor to be recognized by my peers and colleagues in the RV industry. It validates the hard work and passion I’ve put into my role, and it’s a reminder that progress is made not just through individual effort but by collaborating and learning from others along the way. It’s inspiring and motivating to continue pushing forward, not just for my own development, but for the future of the industry as a whole.
