Recently, Jerry Aldridge left the company and Gedwed stepped in to run Coach Net personally. Of the original founders only Jim Agosto is still on board and serves as general manager. 

Gedwed admits he has things to learn about the RV industry but says he learns quickly and Supplier Spotlight with the help of staff members like Sheila Trees, Jim Agosto and the rest of the Coach Net staff he's confident he will be up to speed in a short time. 

When you talk to Gedwed you see a man who knows success and sense that he is thoroughly enjoying his emersion into the RV industry and Coach Net. 

Coach Net's services include all facets of emergency roadside assistance and repair using thousands of contracted and insured mobile services all across North America, including roadside assistance for disabled vehicles, mechanical service for diesel engine products to a jumpstart or tire change. Coach Net's network of service providers accepts the owner's member card as full payment for services covered and then bill Coach Net directly. 

Rather than marketing its services directly to individual RV owners, Coach Net has programs for RV manufacturers, RV dealers, associations, rental operators and chassis manufacturers. For example, when a customer buys a new Winnebago, the dealer gives them a benefit package, including a customized plastic membership card with a unique number that has the Winnebago logo on it. This becomes their passport to all the services offered by Coach Net. 

One of the keys to Coach Net's success is its unwavering commitment to training and con tinuing education. Coach Net's challenge is finding people who have the right balance between customer service sensitivity and technical knowledge. 

According to Donna Nelson, vice president of operations, Coach Net sends every tech team member to whatever schools are available, including RVIA's Trouble Shooters clinics which eventually leads to certification testing to become either a Master Certified RV Technician or Certified RV Technician. Many of Coach Net's tech team have both RV and automotive certifi cations. A condition of employ ment is becoming certified with in a specified time. 

That way when a customer calls in and has a problem with his vehicle or an appliance such  after its sale to the National Motor Club. It’s been a good decision both for Jim and Coach Net.  as the refrigerator they can talk to a qualified, trained RV techni cian who will help trouble shoot the problem. Tech team mem bers are not telling customers how to take a refrigerator apart and rebuild it, but these techs do have to competently understand whether or not it is working properly, give basic advice on how to make it operate properly, and to know whether or not the member needs to take their RV to a qualified repair facility. 

One of the positive spin offs of the Go RVing market expan sion program is consumer research into customer expecta tions after purchasing an RV. This research indicates that areas the industry as a whole needs to pay more attention to are providing better products in the first place and then better service after the sale. Coach Net's outstanding programs and performance is helping manu facturers and dealers set a high standard in delivering that ser vice after the sale, especially when something goes wrong. 

With Gedwed's leadership, vision and vitality, along with Coach Net's dedicated team, one can imagine that the bar will be raised even higher. You now have a real choice!