Editor’s note: This article originally stated incorrect information about Kay’s RV in Moriarty. Kay’s RV is also a full-service RV dealership offering the sale of used 5th wheels, travel trailers and motorhomes, new Idle-Time RVs, consignment services and parts and service.
By Andrea Vasquez
From generation to generation, RV Sales, Inc., located in Moriarty, has remained a family affair for almost 50 years. It stands and thrives as a testament to women in business in New Mexico, selling and servicing new and pre-owned recreational vehicles.
Legacy owners Tony and Mildred Nanneman opened their RV dealership, Cavalier Campers, in 1967 in Albuquerque and sold it in 1977. Their daughter, Kathy and son-in-law, Ralph, managed Cavalier Campers until they launched their own dealership, RV Sales, in 1982.
In 1988, the family decided that moving from Albuquerque to Moriarty would be a better idea for the company. RV Sales needed a larger space that was more accessible for customers.
“Everyone told us all the RV dealerships at that point were all clustered right together in Albuquerque, and they said, if you move out to Moriarty, you’ll never make it,” said current RV Sales president Valerie Chowning.
“Mom said failure is not an option. We’re just going to work hard, and we’re going to go and get it done every day,” Chowning said.
It turns out that moving to Moriarty was one of the best moves that the family ever made.
Valerie and her brother Clayton currently share various responsibilities as third-generation leaders of RV Sales. Since 2016, Valerie and her partner, Kevin Ridenour, have been running the business after Valerie’s parents retired to fulfill their lifelong dream of traveling the country in their personal Excel 5th Wheel.
The family knows to lead by example, and a “unique” aspect about the Chownings and their co-workers is that they go camping and use their RVs.
“Most of the employees here all have RVs also, so when you go out, and you use them, you’re more knowledgeable, and you understand the industry a whole lot more than exactly when you’re just a salesperson who’s trying to make a commission paycheck,” said Valerie.
Valerie’s Grandpa, Tony, used to say, “If you take care of your customers, then they will take care of you.” RV Sales has reflected this commitment to customer service and excellence for as long as Valerie can remember, although it has not always been a smooth ride.
The company has had to navigate market merging due to the disappearance of more suppliers in the RV industry. This has limited their options but made them more aware of quality assurance and stocking up.
Other unforeseen impacts have been the pandemic and the rising gas and interest rates costs, although Valerie says this year has turned out great so far.
“I’m really excited that this year’s already starting off with a bang and doing a whole lot better than last year for both our business and then also for dealers across the state,” said Valerie.
RV Sales is known for its high standards and focus on quality over quantity. Navigating quality concerns such as RV manufacturers’ focus on profit and mass production has been particularly difficult, but certainly not impossible.
The staff takes pride in assisting first-time customers. Education is key to them, from safety measures to avoiding common traps.
“We are a true small, family-owned business. Everyone who works here is either related to us, or we’ve known them for years, which is something else that I’m really proud of…they are such an amazing team, and they really helped make all of this go,” said Valerie.
RV Sales showcases three generations of women’s empowerment and celebration. The business has been handed down from daughter to daughter through a journey that has taught them resilience through an absolutely bumpy ride.
Valerie’s grandmother, Mildred, was raised during the Great Depression. She emerged triumphant with an impeccable work ethic.
“Women didn’t own businesses in the ’60s, but my grandma, Mildred, was essential in the success of Cavalier Campers,” Valerie explained. “When I found an old contract from my parents when they were managing Cavalier Campers for the new owners, my mom actually made the same amount of pay as my dad. So, in the late 70s, mom and dad were making equal pay, which was virtually unheard of.”
Valerie’s mother also faced serious challenges, which, as Valerie teary-eyed explains, have created a strong mother-daughter bond and positively impacted the company’s mission and values.
Kathy underwent two brain surgeries shortly after moving to Moriarty. Despite the pain and anguish, she returned to work, setting an example for her family and workers.
“To be able to overcome that and to come back to work, and I never knew how serious it was until one day I was cleaning the car, and she had written a letter to her doctors because she didn’t feel like she was getting the medical support that she wanted,” Valerie said. “I read it, and I’m like, she died two times, and they brought her back. You don’t turn blue and lose consciousness and just come back to work…but for Kathy, that’s what you do. You provide for your family, and you take care of your employees. Then, your employees take care of you.”
Life has been full of twists and turns for Valerie, who initially had no plans to join the RV industry. She had a busy, successful career in politics and higher education. She even worked on Capitol Hill with Sen. Pete Domenici but was drawn back home after a health scare.
She gives thanks for this situation as it allowed her to reconnect with her grandmother and find a new path that led her to take over her family business.
“I thank God every day that I got so sick because I never would have come back here for that if I hadn’t gotten sick,” Valerie said.
The family enjoys creating a sense of community and giving back to those who need it most.
RV Sales is known for its traditions, such as hosting an annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trailer to Trailer event and a haunted house that raises money through canned food donations for Bethel Community Storehouse and local Rotary Club scholarships with the help of local business sponsorships.
This 32-year-old tradition was created to provide a safe environment for children to have fun. It has become the largest Halloween charity event in the community, bringing together approximately 1,600 people every year.
Although it takes hard work and investment to set up the event, Valerie takes pride in their involvement and footprints in the community.
“I was in middle school when we started it, and now I have friends who come through, who are now grandparents bringing their grand babies through,” Valerie said. “And they started coming when we were kids, you know what I mean? So we’ve got three generations of trick-or-treaters coming through.”