Emerging Leaders Coalition Celebrates Incoming Class And Graduates During Leadership Conference

At the 2026 Leadership Conference, the RV Industry Association’s Emerging Leaders Coalition honored both its newest graduates and the incoming Class of 2026 with a graduation and induction ceremony.

The primary purpose of the RV Industry Emerging Leaders Coalition is to strengthen institutional industry collaboration, competency, engagement, inclusivity, and innovation by identifying, recruiting, developing, engaging, and retaining emerging industry leaders and harnessing and elevating diverse emerging industry leader perspectives.

The first part of the ceremony recognized the graduating class of 2026 in attendance. Each member received a certificate and a pin.

• Bastian Kastner, Director of Strategic Accounts, Schattdecor Group
  • Since joining the Emerging Leaders Coalition, Bastian has been a thoughtful and dedicated contributor, serving on the Admissions Task Force and helping shape the application and selection process for future Emerging Leaders Coalition classes. His commitment to identifying and welcoming emerging talent has strengthened the Coalition’s foundation and ensured its continued growth. Bastian’s collaborative mindset and industry insight have made a meaningful impact on the Coalition and the broader RV community.
• Alissa Reyes, Senior Vice President of HR & Administration, Thetford LLC
  • As Chair of the Admissions Task Force, Alissa provided exceptional leadership in formalizing the ELC’s admissions process, ensuring it reflects the Coalition’s values, standards, and long-term vision. Her strategic approach and dedication to inclusivity and excellence have left a lasting mark on the program. In addition, Alissa has shared her expertise with the industry through her Park Perspective presentation in 2023, offering valuable insight into human resources and leadership at an industry-wide level.
• Holly Tope, Director of Ownership Experience, Ember Recreational Vehicles, Inc.
  • Holly has been an engaged and committed member of the Admissions Task Force, contributing her perspective and experience to the development of a thoughtful and intentional application process. Her focus on leadership and community building has strengthened the Coalition and helped ensure future ELC members are well-positioned to succeed and lead within the industry.

Robert Kowalcyzk, Director of Operations, REV Group, Inc and Alex Walker, Vice President of Sales & Customer Service, Blue Ox were also part of this year’s graduating class and were recognized on screen. 

• Robert Kowalczyk, Director of Operations, REV Group, Inc.
  • Robert has played a key role on the Training & Development Task Force since its establishment, helping to define its mission and long-term goals. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in the creation of educational tools that support onboarding and professional development across the industry. Robert’s contributions have helped elevate workforce development efforts and reinforce the ELC’s commitment to building strong, prepared leaders.
• Alex Walker, Vice President of Sales & Customer Service, Blue Ox
  • As one of the foundational members of the Training & Development Task Force, Alex helped to establish its direction and deliver meaningful educational resources for the industry. His contributions to the development of onboarding and training materials have supported workforce growth and professional advancement within the industry. Alex’s dedication reflects the ELC’s commitment to practical, impactful leadership development.

“The graduating class’s dedication, passion, and vision have built a strong foundation for the future of the Coalition and the industry,” said RV Industry Association Assistant General Counsel and Emerging Leaders Coalition Staff Liaison Kyle Correa-Brady. “We look forward to seeing how each graduate continues to lead, innovate, and inspire.”

Chair Ryan Elias, President & General Manager of Leisure Travel Vans / Triple E RV, was also celebrated during the ceremony. 

“Serving as Chair since the Coalition’s inception, Ryan’s leadership has been pivotal to its vision, structure, and culture,” said Correa-Brady. “Ryan’s unwavering commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and long-term industry sustainability has empowered emerging leaders to grow, connect, and contribute with purpose. We are grateful for his leadership as he concludes his tenure as Emerging Leaders Coalition Chair this year.”

Additionally, the Emerging Leaders Coalition recognized the incoming Class of 2026— the next generation of RV industry leaders. 

“This past year’s application process was comprised of an impressive pool of industry talent,” said RV Industry Association Senior Manager of Creative and Emerging Leaders Coalition Staff Liaison Catherine Barsanti. “In fact, it was the largest pool of applicants that we’ve ever had, which made it even more challenging to narrow it down to the individuals who will stand before you, but we are so honored to introduce the next generation of this dedicated group. They not only reflect the Coalition’s core values and commitment to leadership, collaboration, and service, but are the largest ELC class inducted to date.”

The incoming class includes:

• Tyler Bourns, Dragonfly Energy
• Eric Brown, Dometic
• Corian Correll, Forest River Inc 
• Mark Davis, Airxcel, Inc.
• Mike Elias, Leisure Travel Vans/Triple E RV
• Caza Gomis, Trek Systems 
• Javan Guido, Mission Overland
• Jeremy Johnson, Lightspeed
• Jordan Menz, Thetford LLC
• Jennifer Pendley, Cummins Inc
• Michael Rheinheimer, RVBusiness
• Lexi Roberts, Long View RV Superstores
• J.J. Short, Patrick Industries
• Liz Smith, Lippert
• Thomas Sparrow, Auburn RV Park & Resort Pools

“The RV Industry Association is excited for the future that the incoming class of 2026 will help shape as members of the Emerging Leaders Coalition,” continued Barsanti. “Each individual’s talent, dedication, and innovative spirit will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the RV industry. The Coalition is proud to welcome this incoming group and eagerly anticipates all that they will accomplish in the years ahead.”

Cheers to the graduates and the incoming class! 

The RV Industry Emerging Leaders Coalition is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027! The Coalition is a unique opportunity to grow your leadership skills and expand your professional network within the RV industry. As a Coalition member, you will have access to opportunities and experiences such as leadership development, networking opportunities, mentorship, and career growth.

Applications, including the signed supervisor portion, must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30, 2026.  Selected applicants will be notified in the fall.

Apply by downloading our application form and submitting it to RVELC@RVIA.org.

For additional information, please contact Emerging Leaders Coalition Staff Liaisons Kyle Correa-Brady and Catherine Barsanti at kcorrea-brady@rvia.org or cbarsanti@rvia.org.

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