Kristen Ramirez, recently named president of Hawkes Outdoors, is described by her colleagues as a tireless leader who works day and night to help the company soar.
Her hard work has paid off with Hawkes Outdoors’ gross revenue growing four times since the start of the year. The San Antonio, Texas-based company is preparing to build a second location.
“Her grit and perseverance have allowed our small company to grow leaps and bounds,” says Jon McGinn, Hawkes Outdoors operations manager. “South Texas was an underserved RV and overlanding market for a long time, but Kristen has been able to create a foothold in San Antonio and Hawkes is fast becoming a dominant player in the RV market.”
Kristen started her RV career with ExploreUSA RV Supercenter as an office manager in 2016, joining the team at Hawkes Outdoors in 2022 and moving from operations to being chief operating officer to the company’s president in just two years. She graduated in 2009 from Sam Houston State University and transitioned into a career focused on customer service, operations and sales. She made a brief career change in 2020 but realized her passion lay in the adventure and outdoor industry. Kristen continues to elevate Hawkes Outdoors to new heights with dedication to delivering exceptional value to customers and partners, enhancing offerings and maintaining commitment to excellence in the overlanding, off-road and outdoor adventure space.
When she’s not working, Kristen enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband, Luis, and her two children. She’s also a voracious reader and is always looking to learn something new.
Kristen’s advice for upcoming leaders in the RV space:
Actively listen to your customers. If you focus on the customer experience and prioritize their service and feedback, your customers will tell you everything you need to know.
Take care of your team! You would not be an up-and-coming leader without the team who supports you. Embody a culture of enrichment and growth, then give your team the opportunity to show you what they can do. Always lead by example.
Seek out mentors and develop your leadership skills. I personally have an amazing mentor (shout out to Brian Booker, an absolute legend in the RV industry) who has taken my knowledge and skills to the next level while giving me an opportunity to utilize those teachings in a position I love. Find those who are successful in the industry, ask questions, listen to their stories and learn from them. In addition, practice what you have learned by beginning to mentor other up-and-coming leaders. Sharing knowledge is a valuable skill!
Focus on building relationships. Spend time networking by attending events to meet other industry professionals and connect with vendors/manufacturers to understand their processes and how you can better work together.
Be flexible! The industry and your customers’ needs can change on a dime. It is important to be able to adapt to any situation and have a plan to pivot if needed.