Larry Troutt III of Topper’s Camping Center Elected RVDA Chair – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
LAS VEGAS – Larry Troutt III of Topper’s Camping Center in Waller, Texas, was named chairman of the RV Dealers Association for 2025 during the association’s annual meeting on Nov. 13, at Paris Las Vegas.
Troutt succeeds Ryan Horsey of Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, Del., who will remain on the board as immediate past chairman.
Troutt became the second RVDA chairman in a row to follow in his father’s footsteps at the top of the RV Dealers Association board on Wednesday at Paris Las Vegas.
Horsey, who handed over the gavel after serving out his term, was following his father Rick Horsey as well.
“It was definitely a time of transition and education for me,” Horsey said. “If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing to prepare me for the past year, it would be to pay more attention to English class.”
But Horsey acknowledged the industry as a whole has made strides toward improving repair event cycle time over the past year = a goal that has been set in front of every chairman over about the past seven years.
“That’s an improvement benefitting all shareholders,” he said.
“Next to working with family and friends, serving RVDA has been one of the best experiences of my professional career,” Horsey said.
Troutt congratulated Horsey on his year at the helm and favorably compared their two experiences.
“We are a small dealership getting close to 60 years in business, and just like Ryan before me we are in our third generation of ownership and operation,” he said. “And I wouldn’t be standing here today without what my father has done for Topper’s and the RV industry. Now being married and having kids I’m beginning to understand what it took to not only run a great dealership but come home and be two great role models for me and my sister.”
During the session, President Phil Ingrassia gave a look at the state of the industry and delivered a positive sentiment.
He said that after a long period of headwinds that slowed every aspect of the industry, 2025 is looking like a time to pick up some tailwinds. The Federal Reserve seems poised to lower interest rates, and the new administration and Congress are likely to provide new opportunities to improve business conditions.
He also touted an RVDA pilot program for a help desk to provide solutions on a wide range of issues dealers face.
The entire new slate of RVDA officers for 2025 are:
- Chairman Larry Troutt III of Topper’s Camping Center in Waller, Texas
- First Vice Chairman Bob Been of Blue Compass RV in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Second Vice Chairman Brad Bacon of Pleasureland RV Center in St. Cloud, Minn.
- Treasurer Lane Bell of Bell Camper Sales in Bartlesville, Okla.
- Secretary LaDonna Meadows of Tacoma RV Center in Tacoma, Wash.
The new board of directors members are:
- Michael Moix of Moix RV Super Center in Conway, Ark.
- Jeff Myers of Myers RV Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
- Russ Perkins of Tri-Am RV Center in Bulls Gap, Tenn.
- They join Travis Creech of Rex & Sons RV in Wilmington, N.C. as directors.
Also included are:
- RV Assistance Corporation Chairman Jeff Hirsch, Campers Inn, Jacksonville, Fla.
- RV Rental Association Chairman Scott Krenek, Krenek RV Center, Coloma, Mich.
- RV Learning Center Chairman Jeff Pastore, Hartville RV Center, Hartville, Ohio
RVDA President Phil Ingrassia continues as a non-voting member of the Board.
A number of awards were delivered including the following:
- James B. Summers Award went to longtime RVDA staff member Ronnie Hepp
Chairman’s Service Awards were given to:
- Andy Cripe of Wave Express
- Curt Hemmeler of RVTI
- Corey Ruzicka of Priority RV Network
- Shawn Moran of Brown & Brown
- Rick Horsey and Joy Horsey of Parkview RV Center
An RVDA Special Award was presented to Chris Andro of Hemlock Hill RV Sales.
RVDA, the National RV Dealers Association, is the only national association dedicated to advancing the RV retailer’s best interests through education, member services, industry leadership, and market expansion programs that promote the increased sale and use of RVs and that enhance the positive image of the RV experience. For more information, go to www.rvda.org
