Cathy Sutton, John Hawkins Recognized With Aftermarket Lifetime Achievement Award

Cathy Sutton and John Hawkins were the two recipients of the 2026 RV Aftermarket Lifetime Achievement Award during the RV Aftermarket Conference this week. 

Given annually to an individual who has contributed significantly to the RV aftermarket throughout their career, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of the RV aftermarket industry, whether through service, product innovation, education, or philanthropy, in such a way that makes them stand apart from others. This year, the award was given to two individuals. 

Candidates embrace a spirit of service to the industry and, by evidence of their work over the years and decades, make a difference to the ongoing excellence of the RV aftermarket, while also exhibiting strong moral and ethical behavior that exemplifies good stewardship and conduct.

The first of the Lifetime Achievement Awards was presented to John Hawkins of BAL RV Products. John has been a driving force in the RV aftermarket, combining industry expertise with an unwavering commitment to serving others. Throughout his career, he has consistently worked to strengthen the industry and create opportunities for collaboration and growth.

A longtime leader within the RV Industry Association’s Aftermarket Committee, John has played a significant role in Dealer Partnerships and the Awards Committee, among many other roles. John has helped shape the Aftermarket Conference and has served as a co-host for the Aftermarket Awards for more than seven years. 

John has championed initiatives that continue to benefit the industry today. He was instrumental in launching the Supplier Showcase following the close of the National RV Trade Show, creating a new platform for suppliers and dealers to connect, innovate, and grow.

John also recognized the importance of educating consumers and helped spark the industry's consumer outreach efforts, while dedicating countless hours to training technicians and RV owners alike. His willingness to share his knowledge, mentor others, and always put the industry first has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues across the RV community.

The second Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Cathy Sutton of Tom Manning & Associates. For more than 40 years, Cathy Sutton has been a trusted leader, mentor, and advocate within the RV aftermarket. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of suppliers bring innovative products to market, always going beyond the expectations of her role to ensure others succeed.

Whether serving on the Aftermarket Conference Task Force, supporting technician education, or lending her expertise across the supplier, distributor, and manufacturer's representative communities, Cathy has consistently embodied a spirit of service. She is widely respected for her integrity, fairness, and unwavering commitment to doing what's right.

While her name may not appear on a patented product, her influence can be found behind the success of countless innovations and the people who brought them to life. Her dedication, generosity, and "duty before self" mindset have made a lasting impact on the RV aftermarket and the many professionals fortunate enough to work alongside her.

Along with the Lifetime Achievement Award, two other awards were announced during the 2026 RV Aftermarket Conference: the 2026 Supplier of the Year and the 2026 RV Aftermarket Product of the Year.