Roadmaster CEO Jerry Edwards Wins Prestigious Jim Barker Lifetime Achievement Award
The award is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to the RV aftermarket throughout their lifetime
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Roadmaster CEO Jerry Edwards was presented the Jim Barker Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate his career-long dedication to excellence in the RV aftermarket parts industry at the 2021 RV Aftermarket Conference.
Each year, the award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the RV aftermarket throughout their career and/or lifetime, whether through service, product innovation, education and/or philanthropy, RVIA states.
“Obviously, we can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Jerry,” said Roadmaster vice president, David Robinson. “Because of him, Roadmaster isn’t just a company, but a family.”
Jerry Edwards began his career in the RV industry at age 15, sweeping floors at a trailer manufacturer. By 1970 he had established the beginning of what would later turn into an RV dealership with Vetro RV and Repair. Edwards became a major player in the RV aftermarket parts industry when he started Roadmaster Distributing in 1974, which was later sold to launch Roadmaster, Inc. He found initial success in awnings, but, in the 1980s, he helped revolutionize the RV industry with the introduction of the Stowmaster tow bar.
Roadmaster company founder and president Jerry Edwards in his factory in Vancouver, WA Thursday February 16, 2016. Photo by Natalie Behring
The tow bar easily extended and moved from side to side to conveniently connect, automatically extending and locking for safe towing. It provided RV owners a simple way to bring a smaller vehicle on trips. The Stowmaster’s ease-of-use attracted and encouraged countless RVers to try towing a vehicle.
Today, Roadmaster, Inc. manufactures a wide range of tow bars and related towing accessories at its facility in Vancouver, WA, and Edwards can be found there nearly every day.
“Starting a company is the easy part,” Edwards said at the ceremony, “but running one is impossible without people. I’ve been extremely lucky throughout my career to be surrounded by amazing people.”
On August 10th, the industry recognized and honored aftermarket members’ commitment to excellence and growth in RV parts and accessories. Along with the Jim Barker Lifetime Achievement award, others included were the Distributor, Supplier, and Product of the Year awards. It was hosted by Bob Brammer of Stromberg Carlson and John Hawkins of BAL. The event also celebrated its 50th anniversary of the Conference.
