The company said the two appointments reflect Holiday RV's desire to utilize the management leadership of Atlas Recreational Holdings which acquired Holiday RV in July 1999. Huneycutt replaces W. Hardee McAlhaney, who will remain with the company as assistant to the chairman. Rodney replaces Patrick McNair, who resigned to pursue other interests.

The company also announced that Marco A. Martinez has been named assistant to the president and director of e-commerce.

In announcing the appointments, Michael Riley, chairman of Holiday RV Superstores, said, "Since our acquisition of Holiday RV in July 1999, our goal has been to take advantage of the fragmented RV and boat dealership market, to become the leading consolidator in this industry and to utilize the senior management talents of Atlas Recreational. The appointments of Ron Huneycutt and Gary Rodney were made primarily to accelerate these goals. The appointment of former Atlas Recreational chief financial officer, Ron Huneycutt, allows us to take advantage of his significant expertise in the very specialized acquisition process. Gary Rodney brings to Holiday RV an executive with exceptional experience in developing and implementing company growth strategies. We believe the addition of these executives will allow us to accelerate our strategic goals."

Georgie Boy Expands Diesel Production,
Opens Plant in Elkhart
Georgie Boy Manufacturing, Inc., will expand production of diesel-powered motorhomes by opening a plant in Elkhart, IN. Georgie Boy's Elkhart operations will be named Georgie Boy Manufacturing Diesel, Inc. (GBMD). In early spring the first units should be rolling off the Elkhart assembly line.

Fred Emmert, president of Georgie Boy, said, "This new plant will allow us a much-needed increase in diesel pusher production capacity. It will enable us to better penetrate the increasingly important diesel motorhome market."

According to Emmert, Georgie Boy has been unable to focus efforts on the diesel market because its production facilities in Edwardsburg, MI, are literally running at capacity with demand for its gas-powered motorhomes. "We were 'facility-constrained' and now we will be able to resume our growth track," Emmert said.

Claire C. Skinner, chairman of the board and CEO of Coachmen Industries, Inc., said, "Coachmen's strategic plan is to focus our assets on our core businesses and growth opportunities. With the rear diesel portion of the motorhome market representing such an important segment, the timing is right for Georgie Boy to add more production capacity."

Throughout the months of March and April GBMD will be setting up the Elkhart facility for production. Roughly 30 employees from the Edwardsburg plant will staff the Elkhart production facilities. Up to 70 additional new employees will eventually be hired.

Jayco to Enter Class A Market
Jayco, Inc., intends to expand its product offerings with the addition of Class A motorhomes to its product lines, according to Bernard G. Lambright, president. Lambright said that current plans call for Jayco to introduce "one or more lines of full-sized conventional motorhomes as early as this calendar year."

Lambright added the company's decision came as a result of a comprehensive analysis of Jayco's position in the RV market. He said, "Our dramatic growth in recent years has positioned Jayco as a major player in the RV marketplace. We now believe that adding Class A motorhomes to our product lineup will take us to the next level in the company's development."

Jayco plans to set up a national council of prominent motorhome dealers to assist the Company in product development, according to Lambright. He said, "We have had extensive input from many dealers and customers. As a result of this and other research, we plan to concentrate our product efforts, at least initially, in the popularly-priced segments of the motorhome market."

Jayco plans to build the new Class A motorhome products at a recently acquired 40-acre facility north of Middlebury, IN.

Arizona Residents Face Felony Charges in Alleged Scheme to Provide Illegal DirecTV System Access Cards to RVers
Two Quartzite, AZ, residents were indicted on felony charges by the LaPaz County (Arizona) attorney's office for their role in an alleged scheme to provide illegal DirecTV System access cards to owners of RVs. Charges included computer fraud, forgery, trafficking in stolen property and conspiracy.

Those arrested in the alleged scheme were Timothy McDaniel and Michelle Hutson who were charged following a search of McDaniel's RV and residence. Authorities seized computer equipment and other devices designed to program DirecTV System access cards to receive the DirecTV signals without authorization.

The Quartzite Marshall's Office executed the search warrant and made arrests with the assistance of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the LaPaz County Sheriff's office and the FBI. DirecTV's Office of Signal Integrity provided on-site technical assistance.

In a statement, DirecTV urged those victimized by the scheme to call the 24-hour Signal Integrity hotline at 1-800-830-6090 or contact DirecTV by e-mail at: si@directv.com to receive an authorized access card and begin legally receiving DirecTV signals.

DirecTV also stated: an individual who possesses an unauthorized DirecTV System access card may be subject to state and federal prosecution.

RVDA Education Foundation Sponsors RV F&I Distance Learning
Finance and insurance expert Jan Kelly will lead an interactive workshop designed to teach RV dealership employees how to increase service agreement sales while improving customer satisfaction. Sponsored by The RVDA Education Foundation, the audio conference workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 2000, from Noon to 1:30 p.m (Eastern).

Capturing Lost Dollars -- Follow Up for Parts & Labor Agreement Sales" will help employees learn to locate prime prospects and generate additional income through increased service agreement penetration. Jan Kelly is well-known for her F&I workshops during the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo.

Audio distance learning is a convenient way of providing on-site training to RV dealerships. The workshops are interactive, fast-paced, and dealers can participate from anywhere there is touch-tone phone. In addition, participants have the chance to ask questions and benefit from other's questions. One registration for the workshop allows an almost unlimited number of dealership employees to participate and includes a workbook. Advance registration for this special workshop is $125 for RVDA members and $175 for non-members.

To register by phone, call (703) 591-7130 or RVDA's Member Service Hotline. A registration form is also available at RVDA's Web site at www.rvda.org.

2000 Florida RV Supershow Exceeds FRVTA's Expectations
The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) recently completed the 15th Annual Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. The show's attendance of just under 46,000, while not a record, exceeded last year's attendance by over 1,000. The rally held in conjunction with the show had more RVs participate than ever before with close to 800 RVs camped out on the fairgrounds the entire show.

The dates for the 2001 SuperShow are January 16 - 21.

RV Products Opens New Distribution Warehouse
RV Products and Suburban Manufacturing have joined with TCL Sales and Distribution in Pendleton, OR, to provide a central geographic service point in the region for improved customer service for Coleman RV air conditioners and Suburban furnaces, water heaters and cooking appliances.

The new facility is owned and administered by TCL Sales and Distribution which operates strictly as a redistribution warehouse for RV Products and Suburban Manufacturing.

Warehouse manager Kathy Ashley said, "We have been very well received in this area. Customers are excited to have a distribution center so centrally located."

The Oregon warehouse, currently housed in a temporary facility, has a projected new building completion date in Summer 2000. The new building will be fully computerized to provide easy redistribution of OEM products to customers in the region.

StagParkway's 2000 & Beyond Show A Success
Record attendance, a packed exhibit hall, informative seminars, and a dynamic opening session marked the new millennium at StagParkway's annual trade show, according to StagParkway.

Hundreds of dealers registered early to attend over 20 free business management seminars. The show opened in the evening and dealers attended a show preview reception where dealers previewed supplier exhibits.

Stan Sunshine, president and CEO, and Mike McKay, vice president of sales and marketing, opened the show with a theatrical presentation on how StagParkway can help RV dealers take a quantum leap forward in the new millennium. Market strategist Thom Winninger followed the presentation with a keynote address on forming strategic alliances and how to use innovation and creative ideas to take advantage of the new millenniums dynamically changing trend forces.

More than 600 dealers nationwide attended StagParkway's two day show which featured over 150 supplier exhibits, business development seminars, prize giveaways, and new marketing programs.

StagParkway launched three new marketing programs:

• StagParkway.com e-commerce web site
• Merchandising program featuring store decor, fixtures, signage, bar coding, lifestyle graphics, and Harvey the RV™ apparel
• RecDirect™, a custom turnkey direct mail program

StagParkway also set the dates for next year's show: January 16 through 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, TX.

Forest River to Build New Facility in Georgia
Forest River, Inc., has plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Ocilla, GA. This facility will expand the company's cargo trailer and auto carrier operations located in Elkhart, IN.

Forest River manufactures enclosed cargo, snowmobile, and auto carrier trailers under the brand names Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, and We Haul. Trailers range in size from 4-foot by 6-foot single axle up to 50-foot triple axle gooseneck.

The new facility will have nearly 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space and employ approximately 200 employees when full production is reached.

Winnebago Receives Top Sales Award Honors
Winnebago Industries, Inc. received two awards for top retail sales volume achievement for its motorhomes from Statistical Surveys, Inc., a retail reporting firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan

According to Statistical Surveys, Winnebago Industries' Winnebago brand motorhomes were the top selling Class A brand during calendar 1999, outselling every other Class A brand in the United States. The Winnebago brand had a volume increase of 24.9% during calendar 1999, ending the year 1,257 units, or 40.1%, ahead of the next closest motorhome brand. Winnebago brand Class A's include the Brave, Adventurer, Chieftain and Journey.

Winnebago Industries was also recognized for being the top selling manufacturer of Class C's in the U.S. Winnebago Industries Class C products showed a volume increase of 15.2% during calendar 1999, ending the year 212 units, or 5.6%, ahead of the next closest motorhome manufacturer. Winnebago Industries' manufactures three Class C motor home brands: Winnebago, Itasca and Rialta.

RPTIA Sets Arizona as Location for April Board Meeting
RPTIA's April board of directors meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites of Paradise Valley at the Stonecreek Golf Club. The meeting will be held on Friday April 28 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Lazy Days RV is Country Coach's 1999 Dealer of the Year
Country Coach, Inc. (CCI) has named Lazy Days RV SuperCenter of Florida as its 1999 Dealer of the Year. According to Don Fults, senior vice president of sales, the recognition is based on total sales within a given calendar year.

On an individual basis, Joel Lodes was awarded 1999 Country Coach Salesperson of the Year honors. This is the fifth time Lodes has won this recognition. A proven top salesman at Lazy Days, he has been with this dealership for twelve years.

Jayco Honors Terry Town as its Top Selling Dealer
Terry Town Travel Center, Inc., in Grand Rapids, MI, is Jayco's top dealer. The RV dealership received the award based on sales volume of 1999 model year product. The 1999 award marks the eighth time since 1984 that Terry Town has been Jayco's top dealer.

New Crispaire Divisions Will Improve
Market & Customer Focus
Airxcel, Inc. has announced the separation of Crispaire, its Georgia-based air conditioning company, into two divisions: the Marvair Division, with manufacturing based in Cordele, GA, and the Crispaire Division, with manufacturing based in Norcross, GA. Each division is now better positioned to improve its market focus and customer service, according to Mel Adams, Airxcel president and CEO.

Adams said, "Airxcel is committed to providing customers with the highest level of accessibility and convenience. This change increases our ability to meet customer needs more effectively."

New Crispaire Divisions Will Improve
Market & Customer Focus
Airxcel, Inc. has announced the separation of Crispaire, its Georgia-based air conditioning company, into two divisions: the Marvair Division, with manufacturing based in Cordele, GA, and the Crispaire Division, with manufacturing based in Norcross, GA. Each division is now better positioned to improve its market focus and customer service, according to Mel Adams, Airxcel president and CEO.

Adams said, "Airxcel is committed to providing customers with the highest level of accessibility and convenience. This change increases our ability to meet customer needs more effectively."

RPTIA Establishes Show Committee
The Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA), has appointed a committee to look at the association's trade show options.

Executive director Bill Garpow said, "RPTIA has a number of options to consider with regard to our wholesale trade show efforts. Our partnership with ARVC and the very successful show we annually hold with the Parks and RV resorts needs some minor improvements, as does our participation with RVIA's Louisville show."

Among the questions reviewed by the board were: What is in the best interest of the members and what steps should the association take to improve its position?

The board recommended that RPTIA president, Bob Kropf appoint a show committee to study and address these issues.

RPTIA Establishes Show Committee
The Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA), has appointed a committee to look at the association's trade show options.

Executive director Bill Garpow said, "RPTIA has a number of options to consider with regard to our wholesale trade show efforts. Our partnership with ARVC and the very successful show we annually hold with the Parks and RV resorts needs some minor improvements, as does our participation with RVIA's Louisville show."

Among the questions reviewed by the board were: What is in the best interest of the members and what steps should the association take to improve its position?

The board recommended that RPTIA president, Bob Kropf appoint a show committee to study and address these issues.