U of Michigan Profiles Alum Ferrando of Blue Compass – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt of a report by the University of Michigan Alumni Association. Click here to read the full report.
When Jon Ferrando, ’88, decided to rebrand the recreational vehicle dealership business he founded, he wanted to include nods back to his alma mater.
Blue Compass RV’s logo features a familiar maize and blue color scheme, and the compass on it points from the company’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, right back to Ann Arbor.
“It has a lot of meaning within our industry and the lifestyle but also signals some of my connection back to Michigan,” Ferrando says with a smile.
Much of Ferrando’s life and career points back toward Ann Arbor as well. He describes his time at U-M as “foundational,” where he developed leadership skills and a standard of excellence. It’s also where he met his wife Katy Ferrando, ’88. The two have three children — all three are Wolverines themselves — and two dogs who are aptly named Maizey and Blu.
“I think most students that go there have this incredible experience similar to me — this life-changing opportunity. And it just creates and breeds a lot of connection and loyalty back to the Block M,” he says.
Those around Ferrando say he infuses the Leaders and Best mentality in everything he does, including building Blue Compass RV from scratch in 2018 to a business that draws $3 billion in annual revenue with more than 100 stores across 33 states.
Click here to read the full report.
