Lichtsinn RV was featured in RV Pro’s “All in the Family” special edition section celebrating family ties in the RV industry.
Lichtsinn RV: A Family-Owned and Operated Winnebago Dealer for 40 Years By: RVPro
Lichtsinn RV is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a family-owned and operated Winnebago Dealer. Ron Lichtsinn Sr., owned Lichtsinn Motors, a thriving Buick, Chevrolet, General Motors and Cadillac Dealership in Forest City, Iowa. In 1979, with a handshake between Lichtsinn Sr., and John K. Hanson, founder of Winnebago Industries, Lichtsinn began selling Winnebago conversion vans. In 2001, Ron Lichtsinn Jr., and Hope Lichtsinn bought Lichtsinn Motors from Ron Sr., and have grown Lichtsinn RV into the largest Winnebago dealer in North America.
Ron and Hope have continued to foster a family-like environment at Lichtsinn RV which can be seen in the number of families that are part of the Lichtsinn RV team. In addition to Ron and Hope, there are three sets of couples that are employed at Lichtsinn RV – Jeremy Gilbertson (Guest Service Specialist) and Janelle Gilbertson (RV Service Coordinator), Kevin Breister (Business Manager) and Maggie Breister (Marketing Manager) and Ben Follman (RV Service Tech) and Nicole Follman (RV Sales Consultant. Nicole Follman’s Sister-in-Law, Hannah Lunning is also employed at Lichtsinn RV as a RV Sales Manager. In addition, Lichtsinn RV employs two sets of siblings– Brian Buffington (RV Service Director) and Brad Buffington (RV Service Tech) and Heidi Thompson (VP and General Manager) and Reed Burkholder (RV Sales Consultant). Lichtsinn RV even has a father, son, and brother-in-law set with Henry Stone (RV Sales Consultant), Chris Stone (Finishing Manager) and Brandon Rounds (RV Finishing and Quality Control).
Nicole Follman has worked with her husband for six years and her sister-in-law for nearly ten years, and she believes Lichtsinn RV is a great environment for families to work together. She likes working with her husband and sister-in-law, “It makes everything easier, both work and home life because Ben and I are on complimentary schedules and if I need something all I have to do is walk to the shop.”
Ron and Hope Lichtsinn have worked hard to make Lichtsinn RV a great employer for families.
“Hope and I realize family is everything, our families and loved ones are the reason we get up each day and work to provide them the things we’d like them to have and the ability to do things together we want to,” Ron says, “We try and take the same approach as we look to our employees. We encourage family members to join our team where it makes sense. From insurance to balancing schedules, we look at the family members to try and ensure we are providing their families the life experience they will look back on and be proud of. This family environment is not only felt by other team members but also by our guests. As they contact us about their dreams for an RV experience that will allow them to spend more time with family and loved ones.”