For The First Time
Two KOA Kampgrounds Earn
"Franchisees of the Year"

KOA senior vice president Kent Zimmerman (l) and KOA president and CEO Art Peterson (r), presents the 1998 KOA Franchisee of the Year award to (from center left) Vaughn, Helen and Van Foxwell, Washington D.C. Northwest KOA, MD.

In an unprecedented decision, two sets of KOA franchisees-the Foxwell family (Vaughn, Helen and Van) of Washington D.C./Northeast KOA and the Linde family (Marv, Carol, Dave, Steve and Laurel) of Billings Metro, Bozeman and Yellowstone Park/West Entrance KOAs were honored at the 1998 KOA International Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN with the presentation of the KOA system's highest honor, the KOA Franchisee of the Year Award, according to Kent Zimmerman, KOA Inc. senior vice president.

The Foxwells and Lindes were chosen on the basis of high standards, quality facilities, excellent customer service and consistent support of the KOA system.

KOA's Kent Zimmerman (l) presents the 1998 KOA Franchisee of the Year award to Carol and Marv Linde, Billings, MT, and West Yellowstone, WY.

"The Foxwells and Lindes have each created a standard and set an example that motivates others in the KOA system," Zimmerman said. "Not only have Vaughn, Helen, Marv and Carol served in leadership roles at the state, area and national levels, but they have consistently achieved high scores on their respective annual KOA facility inspections and receive the highest levels of the quality awards presented by the KOA system."

The Foxwell family joined the KOA system in 1974 with the signing of a franchise agreement to develop the Washington D.C./Northeast KOA, MD.; the campground first opened its doors to the public in 1978. The Linde family joined the KOA system in 1977 with the purchase of Billings Metro KOA, MT, then added West Yellowstone KOA, WY, in 1983 and Bozeman KOA, MT, in 1996.

Always the innovators, the Foxwell and Linde families put camper convenience and comfort high on the priority list. For instance, Washington D.C. Northeast KOA was one of the first in the KOA system to offer on-site tour services to its guests, providing sightseeing tours of Washington, D.C., that begin and end at the campground. The Linde family was involved in the initial efforts to offer family-style rest room/ shower combinations, designed like a bathroom in an average home, to make it simpler for parents to supervise their young children in morning or evening routines of bathing, tooth-brushing and the like.

Four KOA Kampgrounds Honored
With 30-Year Awards

Camping in the '90s is a whole lot different than it was in the '60s. Basic travel trailers and truck campers have given way to "homes on wheels"-recreation vehicles of every shape, size and style that offer all the conveniences of home. Tents are quicker and easier to pitch, and take up only a fraction of the storage space needed for their predecessors. And a lot of campgrounds have been there serving the public through all the ups and downs of the RV industry. And KOA recently noted the accomplishments of some of these pioneers.

According to Art Peterson, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Inc. president and CEO, four KOA Kampgrounds were honored at the 1998 KOA International Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN, with the presentation of awards for 30 years of service to the camping public.

Honored were Jack Denton, owner, and Jerry and Corky Sanders, managers, Flagstaff KOA; the Bell family-original owners Ted and Carol Bell, their son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Rowena, and their grandsons, third generation KOA operators Clint and Josh Bell, San Diego Metro KOA; Edgar and Hazel Alleman and their son, Duane, of Lafayette KOA; and the Rohde family of San Antonio KOA. Ron and Susan Rohde currently operate San Antonio KOA.

Peterson said, "These KOA owners represent a combined total of more than a century of expertise in campground operation and quality service to the camping public. Their longevity speaks well of their motivation, initiative and dedication to the ongoing process of keeping their businesses on the cutting edge of the industry, as well as their commitment to exceptional customer service."

All four of the honored KOA Kampgrounds were established early in KOA history -- a time when campers using an average tent or travel trailer were more than satisfied with a basic campsite at a campground that offered a few facilities. The KOA system was in the early stages of its growing popularity, offering the consistency of clean rest rooms, individual hot showers, a coin- operated laundry and a convenience store at each of its locations.

Not only have camping methods changed, so have campers and the activities they pursue while camping. And Flagstaff, San Diego Metro, Lafayette and San Antonio KOAs have not only kept up with the times, but set precedents, as well. Each of these KOAs offers a variety of options such as activities, recreation (on-site and nearby), entertainment, tour packages, on-site equipment rentals and more. Their owners are involved in industry associations, working with other campground owners to anticipate trends and address them in order to better serve the camping public. All four have repeatedly achieved top ratings on their respective KOA annual inspections, and Flagstaff, San Diego Metro and Lafayette have each received the coveted KOA Franchisee of the Year award.

RVN