Camping World Holdings Inc. announced the promotion of five executives within the company including the promotion of Karin Bell to the position of chief financial officer, succeeding Melvin Flanigan, who is resigning from the company for personal reasons.
Marcus Lemonis, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “It is with disappointment that I announce Mel is leaving the company, but I respect his personal reasons and appreciate his need to focus his attention and energy in other areas. Mel has been a member of the executive team since 2019 and has made a huge contribution to the success of the business by implementing additional structure and processes for our accounting and finance team by improving our accounting, reporting and internal controls processes and by providing organizational development guidance to help accelerate the company’s growth. On behalf of our Board, I would like to thank him for his work and wish him every success in the future.”
Flanigan commented, “While I am disappointed that personal reasons have led to my resignation at this time, I feel confident that the company is well-positioned for continued growth and a smooth transition. With key additions to our team, improved reporting and internal control processes and the promotion of Karin Bell to chief financial officer, I am pleased that the finance and accounting team is positioned to provide exceptional support going forward.”
Flanigan’s resignation will be effective on June 30, 2020. He will continue to work with the company as an independent consultant, and the company expects that he will work closely with Bell through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
Lemonis added, “I am very excited about the promotion of Karin to chief financial officer. Karin was the first employee I hired when we started our RV dealership business in 2003. She is extremely talented with a great understanding of our business and an impressive track record of strategic and financial accomplishments. Karin has been a trusted partner for many years.”
Bell’s promotion to the role of chief financial officer will be effective July 1, 2020. Currently, Bell serves as chief accounting officer, a position she has held since September 2019. Bell started with the company in May 2003 as the chief accounting officer and secretary/treasurer for FreedomRoads, LLC, a subsidiary of CWH and became its chief financial officer and secretary/treasurer in December 2018. Prior to joining FreedomRoads, Bell was the senior vice president and treasurer of First Security Holding LP, a niche market commercial mortgage conduit lender that also provided investor reporting services for the structured finance industry from 1992 to 1998. Bell has also held positions with Laventhol & Horwath and Altschuler, Melvoin & Glasser, both public accounting firms from 1982 thru 1992 leaving public accounting as a Senior Manager. Bell received a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1982.
“In addition to the promotion of Karin, I’m excited to announce the promotions of other key members of our team. One of our key initiatives is to ensure our senior leadership team reflects our customer base and the American consumer. These promotions are reflections of our commitment to this initiative,” said Lemonis.
Lindsey Christen has been promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Christen was hired in 2008 as corporate counsel and was promoted to assistant general counsel in 2011. “With Lindsey’s impressive mix of skills and accomplishments, I am confident in her continued success handling legal matters across the organization. Being elevated to this role grants Lindsey the visibility and authority to effectively support and execute key initiatives and strategic objectives for the organization,” said Lemonis.
Kelly Allen, an employee of the brand for 22 years, has been promoted to senior VP sales, merchandising and supply chain where she will be responsible for further developing the company’s omnichannel approach to satisfying the outdoor and camping enthusiast.
“Kelly has exceeded every expectation in her previous role as senior vice president of merchandising and supply, and I’m extremely confident she’ll continue to excel in her new role where she’ll be focused on improving the in-store experience for our customer,” said Lemonis.
Brenda Wintrow has been promoted to senior VP of sales and customer experience where she will oversee the development and implementation of processes to improve customer cultivation, customer retention, and retail sales for the enterprise.
“Brenda has been a key contributor to our dealership organization over the last 13 years. She has been integral in creating a lead management process to deliver superior results. In her new role, Brenda will utilize her knowledge of sales processes and customer lead management to continue to improve the existing sales system for the retail, dealership, and Good Sam teams,” said Lemonis.
Vilma Fraguada has been promoted to president of Good Sam Media and Events. Fraguada will be responsible for the integration of its publishing, marketing and events team. “Over the past 15 years, Vilma has proven herself to be an accomplished leader with extensive sales and relationship management experience. She has tackled the ever-changing dynamics of the business leading her team to produce the premier consumer shows in the nation, and I’m pleased to announce her promotion,” said Lemonis.
“Promoting these talented and tenured executives from within our leadership team organizes the company for additional growth, and ensures continued strong performance across our existing portfolio,” said Tamara Ward, chief operating officer for Camping World Holdings. “These team members have each demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the company for a decade or more, and I am thrilled they will continue to help drive our strategic direction and growth in these expanded roles for many years to come.”
The company’s banners include Camping World, Gander Mountain, Overton’s, and The House.
Photo courtesy Camping World
