ATHENS, Texas – The Texas RV Association (TRVA) last week voted to formally endorse training services provided by the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA).
Terry “Cooper” Cooper, president of NRVTA, said the school could not have accomplished so much in so little time without the assistance of the leadership and members of the association.
“I have been proud to be affiliated with TRVA for many years,” said Cooper. “The services it provides plays a vital role in strengthening the RV and outdoor hospitality industries in Texas and, in turn, much of North America.”
The association represents all aspects of the RV industry, including dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, campgrounds and affiliated companies. Through education, information, benefits and support, TRVA strives to serve all segments of the RV industry, it’s mission statement notes.
“We know it is an extremely large undertaking requiring a lot of time, energy and money to put together an effective training program,” said Phil Elam, TRVA executive director. “It only makes sense that with a resource like this in our state, that our trade association would associate with it as an official training partner in the state of Texas.”
Since he arrived at TRVA in 2013, Elam heard frequently from members that they wanted a centralized facility to which they could send technicians for training.
“When Terry Cooper bought the Texan RV Park in 2017 and laid out his vision for the facility, we all thought the Big Red School House would be an answer to prayer which our members have sought for quite some time,” said Elam.
Cooper has been an active member of the TRVA for many years and also serves on its board of directors. However, neither NRVTA or TRVA receive any direct compensation from the endorsement.
“We typically endorse businesses to provide a revenue stream for our association,” said Kevin White, TRVA president. “With NRVTA, we recognize the facility is a big benefit to our dealer members. Partnering with Terry Cooper and his training center will help develop the trained technicians all of our dealers need.”
White is the vice president of United RV In Fort Worth, Texas. His dealership currently employs 15 technicians, but he said the firm is always looking for more.
“For technicians to be able to walk in our door with a certificate showing classes they attended at NRVTA, they’ll be hired quickly,” he added. “Knowing how students are trained at the school, and that they possess the knowledge needed to succeed as technicians, all our dealers can be proud to have such a first-class training facility in Texas.”
Before formally endorsing NRVTA, association members had already sent staff for training and hired trained graduates as well as donated money, equipment and supplies to the center, said Elam.
It was the hands-on approach to training that prompted TRVA members to fully support Cooper’s effort, he explained.