40 Under 40: Matt Poublon
Engineer; Keystone RV Company; With company: 5 years | Industry experience: 16 years
Matt Poublon’s influence can be felt throughout the engineering department at Keystone RV Company. When he was trusted to train new engineers, he did more than share his knowledge to help them get established. He also created training tools and reference documents that are still used across the organization to onboard and support engineers.
“His methods and work practices have become standards followed by all product engineers,” Matt’s nominator says.
Matt goes above and beyond, working not only as a leader in the engineering department but also helping out with the sales team.
“When our engineering group was short-handed, Matt did not hesitate to help,” his nominator says. “He supported multiple product lines at the same time, keeping important projects moving and helping the team through a difficult period. He brings that same dependable approach to everyday product improvement. Matt listens to the concern, works through the problem and finds a practical solution that works for the customer. Matt also worked closely with the sales department… He has a strong ability to listen to sales and customer feedback and turn it into practical, manufacturable solutions that improve the product for our customers.”
Matt’s story in the RV industry began when he was just 15 years old, washing units at a dealership. From there, he took on a variety of jobs, including servicing customer units, preparing new units for sale and responding to online sales inquiries.
“Few people understand the RV industry from as many angles as Matt does,” his nominator says. “He knows what matters to customers, dealers, service teams and sales staff because he has worked alongside each of them. Today, he brings that hands-on experience to his engineering role and uses it to develop products that address real customer needs.”
From washing RVs as a teenager to helping shape successful product lines, Matt’s long-standing dedication to the RV industry is clear.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys camping, working on his family farm, hiking with his dog and creating projects with his 3D printer.
Matt’s advice for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry:
Change is the only constant. The RV industry is constantly changing and evolving. Listen to the guidance from all aspects of the industry and share your ideas. Make good relationships, build trust, lead by example and never stop learning!
What it means to Matt to be a 40 Under 40 honoree:
I am deeply honored being named a 40 Under 40 honoree. It is a great individual accomplishment but shows all the great leadership and individuals that mentored me along the way. This honor reflects the passion I have for the industry, keeping me motivated to keep evolving and mentoring for generations to come.
