Friends, Colleagues Honor Forest River’s John Stringer – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
MILLERSBURG, Ind. – Friends and colleagues of Forest River Inc.’s John Stringer, sales manager of the company’s Rockwood and Flagstaff towable RV lines, gathered for a surprise retirement luncheon Thursday (Aug. 29) at the division’s Millersburg facilities to give him a warm send-off for his last day of work today (Aug. 30).
Stringer, a 15-year Forest River employee, clearly enjoyed his celebratory luncheon which caps a 50-year career within the North American RV arena that also included Gulf Stream Coach Inc. in Nappanee, Ind., Morgan Building Spas and RVs in Texas, Stout’s RV Sales in Greenwood, Ind., Longview RV Superstores in Connecticut and Vermont’s Camporama where he worked during his school days dating back to 1974.
Everyone else also seemed to appreciate Thursday’s luncheon that consisted of a brief presentation and an ample round of barbecue chicken at the Rockwood/Flagstaff campus – part of which was once occupied by legendary RV builder Carriage Inc.
“Yeah. John’s one of the most dedicated, hardworking individuals we know,” stated Karl Miller, who recently succeeded long-time Forest River Divisional GM Don Gunden in overseeing the Rockwood/Flagstaff division. “There was never a time where he wouldn’t do whatever it took to get the job complete and there’s never a time he wouldn’t do anything for any dealer or employee if there was something that needed to be done for their families or at work. He was just always the most team-oriented, dedicated, loyal employee that I’ve ever worked with.”
Though he’s retiring on the brink of the Elkhart RV Open House, Stringer wants people to know that he plans to visit various manufacturer displays Sept. 23-26 at Forest River’s Dealer Expo on the west side of town as well as around the RV/MH Hall of Fame to touch bases with friends and acquaintances.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world to work with some of the greatest people, dealers and manufacturers,” he told RVBusiness. “I mean, the RV industry is so full of good people. That’s what makes it fun on both sides of the table.”
What comes next for Stringer and his wife, Barbara, who was on hand for the luncheon? “You know what? I am going to enjoy my family and enjoy visiting dealers and traveling and practice what I’ve been preaching to all these customers about going out and seeing this beautiful country,” said Stringer. “I’m going to be doing what we told them to do, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Stringer’s thoughts regarding the current state of the RV market? “We’ve always been a cyclical industry. It’s going up and down. But the reality is, everybody in the United States, everybody in the world and in North America wants to own an RV at some point in their life. And that’s what makes this business great. Sometimes the timing just has to be right. But it’s an industry that will always grow and flourish.
“And in my opinion, our per capita ownership within the United States is going to grow. We’re going to see more and more RV households because we’re in a situation where people increasingly value their free time, work from home and have time to travel. So that’s why the RV business is going to flourish that much more.”
