40 Under 40: Scout Burnstine
Regional Sales Manager, Northeast; Alliance RV; With company: 6 Years | In industry: 6 Years
Scout Burnstine entered the industry as the very first candidate in Alliance RV’s sales trainee program in July 2020. Today, he serves as regional sales manager for the Northeast, managing three product lines — Paradigm, Valor and Benchmark — and serving as a benchmark for early-career recruiting within the manufacturer’s network.
“Scout took over the Northeast during one of the toughest retail stretches the RV industry has seen,” his nominator states. “Dealers were carrying aged inventory, were cautious about adding a line and in many cases were cutting brands rather than adding them. Scout’s job was to grow a territory in a market that was shrinking. He did it by being honest about what dealers could actually turn — helping stores move aged units before asking for new orders, building floorplan-conscious order recommendations.
“Being readily available for dealers when they had a customer and answering the phone and talking to the retail customer was second nature to Scout.”
His tailored approach resulted in growing retail sales in his territory by over 30%, increasing wholesale shipments by 28% and signing more than 15 new dealer partners. Beyond territory management, Scout helped shape the trainee curriculum, mentors incoming sales trainees and stepped in front of the camera to host Alliance’s “Sales Days” video series used to train dealership sales teams nationwide.
“Most reps carry one story into a dealership. He tailors his to what each store actually needs on its lot,” Scout’s nominator says. “He trains sales floors instead of dropping off literature, works weekend events alongside dealer staff and stays reachable long after the order is written. Across the Northeast, dealers treat him as a partner rather than a vendor.
“This industry has an aging workforce and a recruiting problem, and Scout is the person Alliance points to when it tells a 22-year-old there is a real career here. Recognizing him recognizes a path into the industry, not just one person’s numbers.”
His dedication in the field earned him recognition as Wilkins RV Rep of the Year in 2025, with dealers actively requesting his continued assignment due to his consistent communication and hands-on floor training.
A graduate of Butler University with a degree in entrepreneurship and innovation, Scout played four years on the university’s club soccer team. Outside of work, he is a dedicated fan of University of Michigan football and Arsenal FC, and enjoys competitive table tennis.
Scout’s advice for up-and-coming leaders in the RV industry:
My advice is to be genuine, build relationships and always follow through on your word. Work hard for your dealers, be someone they can rely on and be honest even when the answer isn’t always easy. Always be willing to listen and learn from people with more experience, but just as importantly, pay it forward by sharing what you’ve learned and helping the next generation along the way.
What it means to Scout to be a 40 Under 40 honoree:
Being recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree is incredibly meaningful to me not only because of the recognition itself, but because of what it represents.
As a fourth-generation member of a family with deep roots in the RV industry, I’ve had the opportunity to grow up around an industry that has shaped both my career and my perspective. I’m proud to carry that legacy forward while trailblazing a path of my own.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from great leaders, work alongside talented people and build relationships with individuals who have had a lasting impact on my career. The RV industry has given me countless opportunities, and I’m grateful for the people and experiences that have made this journey possible. To be included among so many accomplished professionals is a recognition I’m proud to receive and one that motivates me to keep contributing to an industry I’m passionate about.
