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40 Under 40: Michael Wurth

Michael Wurth may be the human resources (HR) manager at Wilkins RV, but this only scratches the surface of all he does for the company.

“He has served as my right hand,” says Brian Wilkins, third-generation owner of Wilkins RV. “Mike does everything for me ranging from accounting, miscellaneous projects, report creation, as well managing his department. Mike is an invaluable member of the corporate team.”

Michael helped Wilkins RV navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, economic roller coasters and hiring challenges, all while building a stronger team of leaders, reducing turnover and recruiting costs. During the pandemic, he single-handedly developed a COVID-19 handbook that the company later shared with other dealers.

In the face of the recent economic downturn, Michael was able to reduce expenses by 15% without compromising quality or workforce morale. He also led the adoption of AI-based technologies that increased task efficiency and accuracy by 30% in key HR processes.

Michael was project manager of both of Wilkins RV’s recent acquisitions of Jim’s RV and Great Outdoors RV.

“Mike played a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition, maintaining open communication and fostering a positive organizational culture,” Brian says.

Under Michael’s leadership, company turnover was reduced from over 75% to 23%. He revamped the company’s recruiting and interview process while also moving to a new applicant tracking system that saved the company nearly $75,000 in recruiting costs.

Michael manages a two-person HR department that faces the tall order of servicing more than 270 employees across seven locations, traveling to each site to help staff enrich their leadership and problem-solving skills.

“He is committed to the professional development of the organization, offering mentorship, training and opportunities for growth,” Brian says. “Michael develops and leads bimonthly training sessions with managers across the organization working to develop our leaders, as well as prepare them for a myriad of situations.”

Committed to his own professional development, Michael obtained an MBA while working full-time in his demanding position. He also spent 11-plus years in the U.S. Air Force, leading Airmen in multiple missions and training the next generation’s leaders for four years.

“My experiences in both the military and civilian sector have given me a different way of looking at situations that arise,” Michael says. “In my off time, I enjoy camping as much as possible, as well as coaching both of my lovely daughters’ softball teams alongside my lovely wife, Stephanie.”

He also sits on the board for Erwin-Valley Painted Post Softball, an organization of 240 girls ages 4 to 16. An avid camper, he enjoys traveling to local campgrounds in his Arctic Wolf 321BH with his family, including three dogs: Thor, Jedi and Buster.

Michael’s advice for upcoming leaders in the RV space:

“Always be learning and growing. Those who are not growing are dying. There are always new things to learn and innovation to be had. Be bold enough to put yourself out there and bring others up alongside yourself.”

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