Top RV News: SEPT 17, 2024

RVBusiness' Top RV News is sponsored by SeeLeveL Holding Tank Monitors by Garnet Instruments deliver precise and reliable tank level readings, ensuring RVers always have accurate information. With advanced technology, these monitors eliminate guesswork and provide peace of mind. Backed by Garnets’ reputation for quality and innovation, SeeLeveL is the trusted choice for dependable tank monitoring.

To learn more, head to https://www.garnetinstruments.com/holding-tanks/

Mike Neal Promoted to Brown & Brown Senior Leadership

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) has announced the appointment of Mike Neal and Mark Abate to the company’s senior leadership team and the Retail segment senior leadership team.

“We are excited to welcome Mike and Mark to Brown & Brown’s senior leadership team,” said Powell Brown, president and chief executive officer. “They bring extensive experience in their respective specializations, and their contributions will support our ongoing mission to be the world’s leading provider of risk management and insurance solutions for our customers.”

Barrett Brown, executive vice president and president of the Brown & Brown’s Retail segment, added, “Mike and Mark’s experience and knowledge will help us broaden our capabilities and allow us to develop innovative solutions to enhance our customer experience. They will bring added strategic guidance to support the continued growth of our Retail business.”

Mike Neal is a 30-plus-year industry veteran. He is an executive vice president within Brown & Brown’s Retail segment and president of Brown & Brown Dealer Services, a division devoted to auto and RV dealer training and F&I products. Mike began his career with Brown & Brown in 2008 when his previous insurance agency, which provided commercial insurance to dealers in RV, used auto, powersports and manufactured housing, was acquired by Brown & Brown.

Mark Abate brings over 35 years of employee benefits experience, specializing in developing health and welfare strategies to meet customers’ unique organizational and workforce priorities. He leads Brown & Brown’s Southborough, Massachusetts office and oversees certain Brown & Brown pharmacy and audit solutions operations. Mark joined the organization in 2015 when Strategic Benefit Advisors was acquired by Brown & Brown.

Lazydays Names Amber Dillard as Chief Operating Officer

TAMPA, Fla.?— Lazydays Holdings Inc. (NasdaqCM: GORV) today announced that?Amber Dillard, Vice President of Operations has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, reporting to?Ron Fleming, who on Monday, Sept. 16, was named Lazydays Interim CEO.

Ron Fleming, Interim CEO of Lazydays said, “I have worked with Amber for over a decade and am extraordinarily pleased to see her continue to exceed expectations and further extend her contributions to Lazydays. In her new and expanded role, Amber will continue to lead our work with our OEM partners and dealership General Managers to drive operational performance and meet the needs of our customers.”

Dillard said, “it has been a privilege to continue to grow within the Lazydays organization. Over the last thirteen years I have had the pleasure of working across most of the functions in our business and with all of our OEM partners as we adapt to and meet the needs of our customers.”

What Latest ‘De Minimis’ Actions Mean for the RV Industry

"In a move aimed at protecting American consumers, workers, and businesses, the Biden-Harris Administration has?announced?new actions targeting de minimis shipments — small, low-value imports that often evade tariffs and regulatory scrutiny. The administration’s goal is to address concerns about unsafe products and unfair trade practices that have impacted various U.S. industries, including the RV aftermarket sector.

Under the de minimis rule, goods valued at $800 or less can enter the U.S. without facing tariffs or rigorous inspections. This provision, originally designed to expedite small, low-risk imports, has been increasingly exploited by foreign manufacturers, particularly in countries like China, to ship large quantities of goods without oversight. Many of these products are seen as undermining U.S. businesses by avoiding safety standards and circumventing tariffs, posing a risk to both consumers and American manufacturers.

The new measures will strengthen enforcement against de minimis shipments that include unsafe or non-compliant products. The administration is also working to close loopholes that allow companies to misuse the de minimis threshold to gain an unfair advantage over domestic industries."

For the full list of our daily RV news stories, subscribe for free on our website to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox: https://rvbusiness.com/subscribe/

You can also go to RVBusiness.com to see all of today's top stories.