President | RV Country

Age: 56  |  Family: Wife (Marisa), two kids (Cydney and Mackay)  |  Education: Fresno State graduate with a bachelor’s in business finance

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in the Fresno/Clovis area and enjoy the close proximity to the coast and the mountains. I love my wife and kids and enjoy spending most of my time with them. I love to do RV shows and travel in an RV and stay in one about half of the year. I love to work but also enjoy my time off. I love Porsches and car events that show all different makes and models.

What got you into selling RVs?

I got a call from Paul Evert, who I had known through the years. He wanted to hire me because he knew I came from a great family and was an extra hard worker. I started as a liaison between sales and service, and then went into finance, then sales management. From there to management, then ownership and now president of RV Country.

How did you come to inherit the business? 

Through sweat equity for 15 years at 1% a year, then I bought 18%, then 22% more for what is now a total of 55%.

How have RVs changed over the years?

They keep getting better and nicer, but still provide great memories for all people that partake.

How are newer generations changing the RV industry? 

New generations seem to be trending to smaller RVs and more off-the-grid RVs. Most RV companies have a wide variety to accommodate all walks of live. Some people are full timers and want large RVs, and some customers are weekend travelers that like all sorts of RVs.

What’s in the future for RV Country? 

We are ever expanding and will be opening a new store this year in Sparks, Nevada, that we built from the ground up. We see more expansion in the future and will add to our current 10 locations in five states on the West Coast. We are working real hard on what we have and strengthening the processes and procedures at each location.

How have tariffs affected your industry?

Quite a bit. Our cost to buy units has gone up 5-10% across the board, and it is taking the consumer a little bit to adjust to the new pricing.

How has the internet changed the way RVs are sold?

It has helped with more volume, but at times it does reduce the margins we make. It is here to stay so we embrace it.  We have a Business Development Center that fields all of our internet leads for all stores, and we are having success selling customers we never would have in the past.

What are some of the interesting uses for RVs some might not think about?

Some people use it as a house or to take their toys out to the sand dunes or go to kids sporting events and have a place to getaway for a bit. Some use them for dog shows, car racing events, etc. The list is endless. Just use your imagination.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Washing RVs at Paul Evert’s RV Country in the summer, where I learned a good work ethic. Through college I was a bank teller and then graduated and got a job as a loan officer for a dairy finance company

What was the best advice you ever received? 

Work hard, be involved and always be fair to everyone you come in contact with.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to visit my daughter and son in law in El Paso, Texas, travel to various car events and take, short fun trips to places such as Paso Robles, Carmel and Napa.