Nominations Sought for James B. Summers Award By Ronnie Hepp, CAE   It’s that time of year again when the RVDA Board of Directors looks to you, the dealers and associate members of RVDA, to submit nominations for the James B. Summers (JBS) Award. Back in 1986, the board created this award to honor past RVDA Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Summers.  It is an award that recognizes individuals who make a consistent and outstanding contribution to the association and its members. Jim attended the convention almost every year after the award was established to present it to the next recipient.  He worked hard to deliver an introduction that would tease the audience about the recipient's identity, first telling stories that could fit several individuals and then eventually closing in on personal information that would positively identify the winner.  We lost Jim to a battle with cancer on the eve of the 2010 convention. We will forever miss his quick wit and charming personality.  The award is a gold ring whose value is ever-increasing – not because of the price of gold, but because of the finger it fits.  The value of the nominees and their work with and for your association is what makes this award so priceless. Please take a look at this list of the past winners.  I’m sure you’ll recognize several of the names, because many of them are still active participants in current RVDA boards, committees, and task forces.  They are still making consistent and outstanding contributions to RVDA on your behalf. 2011 Bert Alanko                 2002 Fran Van Pelt                      1993 Larry McClain 2010 Jeff Pastore                2001 Dan Pearson                        1992 Dave Altman 2009 Marty Shea                 2000 Crosby Forrest                    1991 Dave Ayers 2008 Randy Biles                 1999 Randy Thompson                  1990 Duane Spader 2007 Ernie Friesen               1998 Bill Thomas                          1989 Jack Moran 2006 Joe Range                   1997 Bob Strawn                         1988 Rex Floyd 2005 Rick Horsey                 1996 Bob Azevedo                       1987 Gaylord Maxwell                 2004 Jim Fogdall                  1995 Jerry Greer                          1986 Jim Summers 2003 Tom Stinnett               1994 Bill Gorman I highly encourage you to take the time to nominate a worthy candidate for this award.  But don’t just send in a name--Tell us WHY you’re nominating the person.  Tell us what the person has done or is doing that warrants the nomination.  Make the narrative so compelling that it would be difficult for the voters to not select your candidate. We present all nominations to the RVDA Board of Directors for consideration, and they must select the candidate by a majority vote. We will present the award during the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, to be held October 1-5, 2012 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  Be there to see if we announce your candidate’s name!  Nominations for the 2012 award are due by May 21, 2012. Please take the time to submit your nominations to Ronnie Hepp at RVDA headquarters via email (rhepp@rvda.org), fax (703/359-0152), or mail (3930 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030).