THE FRONT BOOT

The CEO of Caravan Industry Victoria is stepping down from the top job .

Caravan Industry Victoria president Nat Schiavello has announced that Rob Lucas will hand the reins to the current general manager of operations , Daniel Sahlberg , on January 1 , 2023 .

“ Happily , Rob will not be lost to us , as he will become CEO of the National Caravan Industry Training College ( NCITC ) and guide this vital initiative to its full potential ,” Mr Schiavello said .

“ This handover is the culmination of a carefully planned succession which will ensure consistency and continued success for the association , and also for the Training College .”

Mr Lucas was appointed as CEO of Caravan Industry Victoria in 2011 .

“ Since Rob commenced as our CEO , he has brought the association decisively into the 21st century , and it was not by accident ,” Mr Schiavello said . “ In 2012 , he launched the Victorian Caravan Industry Blueprint , a 10- year strategic plan that he has since turned into a reality . Through much of that time , Rob has

Rob Lucas addresses the crowd at this year ' s Hall of Fame industry awards night .

worked closely with Daniel , who became his natural successor and will now build on Rob ’ s strong foundation as we enter the postcovid era . Rob has always had an unflinching focus on promoting and protecting members at all times , and his planned handover to Daniel – with the strong support of the Executive and Council – ensures the consistency of service we deliver to members .”

Mr Sahlberg started working in the caravan industry when he was a teenager . At the age of 20 , he became Windsor Caravans ’ product development and drafting manager , and a few years later he was a principal author of the RVMAP accreditation program . Since joining Caravan Industry Victoria in 2015 as industry development manager , he has worked alongside Mr Lucas on RV Service Safe , various trade days , a virtual caravan show , the Training College and all of the association ’ s RV shows .

“ Rob personally recruited Daniel and has mentored him to take over the CEO role , so we can all be certain the reins are passing from one pair of safe hands to another ,” Mr Schiavello said .

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