Longtime Board Member Dick Grymonprez To Retire This Year

Dick Grymonprez, Director of Sales for park model RV manufacturer Skyline Champion and past RV Industry Association Board member, has announced his retirement at the end of this summer.

Grymonprez, who has spent over 40 years in manufactured housing and the RV business, is leaving behind a powerful legacy, both in the park model RV segment and in the RV industry at large.

“Having served beside Dick since his entrance into the Park Model industry, I can say in all sincerity that the industry will miss having Dick around,” says John Soard, Vice President of Sales at Woodland Park Inc. “His resolute style meant that there wasn’t an industry issue that he was afraid to tackle. He would bring his unwavering dedication to park model RVs to the table and help work towards what was best for our industry.  He is undoubtedly one of the most trustworthy people I have had the honor of working with these past decades and I will miss his professional camaraderie but will continue to cherish our friendship. Best wishes to Dick and his lovely wife Dorothy for a happy and well-deserved retirement.”

Trevor Kropf, General Manager of Kropf Industries, echoes Soard’s sentiments. “I would like to congratulate Dick on his successful career and retirement. Dick’s contributions as Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association President and then an RV Industry Association Board Member have been instrumental during the growth and popularity of the park model industry. As I became active on the Association Board in 2021, Dick really became a mentor to me these last three years. From our first meeting, Dick took me under his wing and showed me the importance of our presence on the Association Board. He takes pride in never having missed a board meeting during his 10 years of serving. I think that speaks volumes to his work ethic and dedication to the industry. I want to wish Dick and his wife Dorothy a well-deserved and happy retirement!”

Bill Baker, the RV Industry Association’s Vice President of Membership and Research, expressed similar thoughts. “It has been a pleasure working with Dick. He was always a tremendous advocate for his company and for the park model RV industry within the Association, and his efforts on our Board and committees have been critical to our overall success. And, as successful as he was in his career at Champion/Skyline and as an Association leader, he is an even better person. I’ll certainly miss him in the industry and at Association events, and wish him a happy, healthy retirement.”

Grymonprez was honored this past June with the RV Industry Association’s Special Award which recognizes an individual within the RV industry who has made extraordinary contributions to the industry's overall success.

“Dick has been an invaluable volunteer leader for the RV Industry Association and an impactful advocate for the park model RV industry,” says Kevin McArt, RV Industry Association Chair. “He played a crucial role in working with the RV Industry Association to have park model manufacturers rejoin the organization in 2012. He served as a park model RV representative on the Board of Directors from 2012–2022 and has also served as a member of the Park Model RV, Membership, and Awards committees.”

“Dick has left a lasting legacy in the park model segment and his leadership on the RV Industry Association Board has played an important role in elevating the industry,” adds Craig Kirby, President and CEO of the RV Industry Association. “Both Dick and his lovely wife Dorothy will be missed but we wish them the best in this next chapter."

When reflecting on his upcoming retirement, Grymonprez remarks on the immense satisfaction that his lifelong career has brought him, both personally and professionally. “Although I have been in the manufactured housing / park model RV business for over 42 years the most rewarding part of my career has been on the RV side. In my 10 years on the RV Industry Association Board I have met many wonderful people who I will be friends with for life.”

“I have really appreciated how the park model RV manufacturers have worked together as friends and that the RV Industry Association has helped move our part of the industry forward. I have so many great memories that I will think about for the rest of my life. I also want to thank Curt Yoder who was with me on the Association board as the other park model representative for so many years and all of his contributions to our success. I would also like to thank Trevor Kropf who stepped in when Curt retired and to John Soard for doing such a great job leading our committee for so many years."