The Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) this week hosted its annual meeting, which included the installation of the 2025-26 board of directors, as well as the annual Tim DeWitt HARVEST Foundation golf outing. The MARVAC meeting was held concurrently with its sister organization, the Michigan Manufacturing Housing association (MMHA), at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich.

Election results for the MARVAC Board, as elected by the membership, were:

• Ben Hopkins of General RV for a 3-year term expiring 2028 was elected to a dealer position.
• Rick Kessler of RVBusiness for a 3-year term expiring 2028 was elected to an at-large position.
• Aaron Suozzi of Keystone RV for a 3-year term expiring 2028 was elected to manufacturer position.

The full composition of the 2025-2026 MARVAC Divisional Board of Directors are:

• Doug Collin of Price Right Auto and RV
• Janice Falzon of JLF Adventures (RVWA Member)
• Chase Haylett of Haylett Trailers (elected Board Vice Chairperson)
• Ben Hopkins of General RV (elected Board Treasurer)
• Roger Jourden of Duck Creek RV Resort
• Cindy Keinath of Frankenmuth Jellystone Park (elected Board Secretary)
• Rick Kessler of RVBusiness (RVWA Member)
• Ryan Krenek of Krenek RV Center (elected Board Chairperson)
• Aaron Suozzi of Keystone RV

In addition, the annual meeting also included a “State of the Association” presentation from President & CEO John Lindley as well as a keynote address from State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, a Republican representing the 20th district and a candidate for governor in the 2026 election.

Lindley’s presentation touched on a number of RV- and campground-related topics, including the association having recently partnered with Hospitality Connections, an organization that provides a variety of benefits, services and discounts to affiliated state associations. Lindley also spoke on the ongoing legislative issues impacting MARVAC members, including actions by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) that would regulate what constitutes a permanent structure as well as occupancy definitions, both of which would have negative impacts to campground owners. MARVAC is also continuing to work with the Secretary of State’s office to streamline the paperwork process for RV dealerships.

For his part, Nesbitt outlined what would be his gubernatorial platform, saying that Michigan will need to reverse much of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies over the last several years that have presented challenges to businesses. He cited one statistic in particular to illustrate his point: Indiana has grown by 900,000 residents in the last several years, he said, while Michigan’s population has only grown 70,000.

The following day, members of both MARVAC and MMHA participated in a golf outing at the Links of Novi to benefit the HARVEST Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to creating educational opportunities for the next generation. Through scholarships and programs, HARVEST supports students pursuing careers in the RV, campground, and manufactured housing industries.