Greg Gerber posted on October 28, 2008 15:53
ATLANTA -- RV Industry News has learned that two industry marketing experts have left or are about to leave their companies to venture out on their own.
Mike McKay, the vice president of sales and marketing for wholesale distributor StagParkway, will form a new company called Spot-On Marketing. Dan Eckenroad, former aftermarket and export sales leader for Kwikee/PowerGear, will start DE Sales and Marketing.
Spot-On Marketing's primary focus will be serving clients on the east coast. DE Sales and Marketing will provide similar services to clients located on the west coast. When possible, or necessary, both McKay and Eceknroad will collaborate to serve common clients.
"Where it makes sense or when a supplier requests national representation, Mike and I can offer that service -- with his company providing support in the east and mine in the west," said Eckenroad.
"Dan and I both have a very strong background in sales, sales management, training, merchandising and marketing," said McKay. " In a challenging market such as the one we are currently in, suppliers are looking for fresh ideas and new approaches. We believe we can make a difference for those companies seeking higher performance moving forward."
McKay dismissed rumors about a major shakeup at StagParkway as "nonsense." He said his departure signals nothing other than a long-time dream to run his own company. "StagParkway is a solid operation with a talented team," said McKay. "If anything the company is positioned to be even stronger in the future as it works with its three constituencies – dealers, suppliers and internal personnel."
He described StagParkway as an organization of 300-plus people who put in a lot of hours to make it successful. "We have a good team here and the company is doing everything right in getting into a position to move forward as the industry improves," he added. The company has not yet announced who will replace McKay, although McKay said there are several senior salespeople at StagParkway who could fill his position.
Eckenroad already left his position at Kwikee/PowerGear; and this Friday is McKay's last day in the office. Both men plan on attending the National RV Show in Louisville to represent the new firm.
McKay's depature also created an issue for the RV Aftermarket Association, of which he served as president. Effective Friday, Piar Adams, director or RV sales at Carefree of Colorado and current vice president of RVAA, will move into the president's position. McKay said there will be a smooth and seamless transition as Adams assumes leadership of the association. The two have worked closely during McKay's tenure under the common belief that Adams would eventually move into that position at the end of McKay's term.
McKay's departure is the third major loss for StagParkway this year. Earlier this summer, Jess Fowler and Trey Miller left the company. Fowler was the founder of DTI Parts and Accessories, and Miller was the director of sales and marketing at DTI. StagParkway purchased DTI in May 2006, and both men had agreed to stay on in new roles at StagParkway. In July 2006, Greenbriar Equity Group announced it had purchased StagParkway for $63 million.