John North, our Chief Executive Officer, joined Lazydays in September 2022, after spending more than 20 years in related automotive and retail industries. John most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Copart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRT), a member of the S&P 500, and a leading provider of online auctions and vehicle remarketing services. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a global leader in car and truck rental, and on-demand car sharing. Before joining Avis Budget Group, he spent 17 years in leadership roles with Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD), the largest automotive retailer in the United States, including as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. John earned his B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA Charterholder.
Kelly Porter, our Vice President, Chief Financial Officer is a highly experienced executive with deep analytical, business development and financial acumen in the automotive retail business. She began her career in public accounting at Moss Adams, spending over 20 years growing their Dealership Accounting Services practice, where she was a Partner. More recently, she served as Corporate Controller and Vice President of FP&A at Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD), the largest automotive retailer in the United States. Ms. Porter holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Ron Fleming, our Vice President, Operations oversees all dealership operations. Mr. Fleming’s career includes over thirty-five years in the RV industry. Mr. Fleming joined Lazydays in 2013 as the Vice President, Operations of the Tampa dealership and was promoted to the Vice President, National General Manager in 2017. Prior to joining Lazydays, Mr. Fleming was the Director of Sales for Alliance Coach RV where he supervised all sales, F&I, and internet activity. Mr. Fleming owned and operated Travel Country RV Center from 1996 to 2011. Mr. Fleming started his career with Giant Recreation World in 1980 where he held various positions, including Executive Vice President, when he left in 1996. Mr. Fleming attended Valencia College in Orlando, FL.
Keith Foerster, our Vice President, Fixed Operations leads the Lazydays RV service organization across all Lazydays locations. Mr. Foerster has over thirty years of experience in business and operations management. Prior to joining Lazydays, Mr. Foerster was most recently the President and General Manager of Heraeus Medical Components where he led the operations of four sites across the Americas, as well as the operational business integration of acquired companies and greenfield development sites. Before joining Heraeus, Mr. Foerster held various roles as a business operations leader where he developed and executed solutions to improve operations efficiency and integrate acquisition targets. Mr. Foerster received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and has obtained multiple Six Sigma certifications.
Harsh Uchariya, our Vice President, CIO oversees all information services and technology functions across Lazydays business operations. Mr. Uchariya is also responsible for overall technology strategic plan and digital transformation initiatives designed to enable the Company to leverage technology and data insights more effectively to drive business value creation. Mr. Uchariya joined Lazydays in 2021. With over 20 years experience across hospitality, retail and service industries, prior to Lazydays, Mr. Uchariya was CIO for ClubCorp and held senior level positions with Travel + Leisure Co (TNL), Marriott Vacation Worldwide (VAC), Disney (DIS) and Publix Super Markets. Mr. Uchariya has received his Master of Business Administration and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from India.
Tom Peterson, Vice President, CMO oversees Lazydays marketing and digital strategy. Mr. Peterson has more than 25 years’ experience of marketing in the hospitality, retail and membership service industries. Ranging from large publicly traded to mid-size privately held companies, he understands the importance of driving profitable marketing results in any environment. He has extensive background in digital transformation by strategically implementing a digital maturity roadmap, MarTech stack, real-time analytics and organizational staffing expertise. Before joining Lazydays in early 2020, Mr. Peterson was Chief Marketing Officer for Youfit Health Clubs, Ovation Brands, Krystal Restaurant Company and Aaron’s Inc. (AAN). Prior to joining Aaron's, Mr. Peterson held senior marketing positions with Arby’s Restaurant Company for 12 years. Mr. Peterson holds a BSBA in Marketing and Management from Slippery Rock University and a Retail Excellence Certification from UAB - Collat School of Business.
Linda Stephens, our Vice President, Employee and Customer Experience is responsible for the strategic vision, direction and standards for a Best-in-Class customer experience across the network of Lazydays dealerships and service center operations. Linda is also responsible for the company’s Communication Operations and most recently is credited with building and directing the company’s national aftermarket retail accessories and rental businesses. Ms. Stephens joined Lazydays in 2004 as Director of Corporate Reporting and Investor Relations. Ms. Stephens is a Certified Public Accountant, as designated by the State of Florida, and before joining us served as a senior manager with a regional CPA firm. Ms. Stephens has held various senior level financial and operational roles throughout her career at Lazydays. Ms. Stephens holds a BS degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida.
Christopher Shackelton was appointed as Chairman in December 2021 and was elected to the Board in March 2018. Mr. Shackelton is co-founder and managing partner of Coliseum Capital Management. Mr. Shackelton has significant public company investment and directorship experience. Mr. Shackelton has served as Chairman of ModivCare Inc. (formerly Providence Service Corp.), a healthcare company, since 2012 and as a director of Universal Technical Institute, a technical training school for the transportation industry, since 2016. Mr. Shackelton was previously Chairman of Rural/Metro Corp, an emergency ambulance company, from December 2010 to June 2011, and Chairman of Medalogix, LLC, a healthcare analytics company, from August 2014 to May 2021, and served on the boards of BioScrip Inc., an infusion services company from March 2015 to August 2019, LHC Group Inc., a nursing care company, from November 2012 through August 2017, Advanced Emissions Solutions Inc., a clean energy technology company, from August 2014 through May 2016, and Interstate Hotels Inc., a global hotel management company, from February 2009 through March 2010. Mr. Shackelton is actively involved in multiple charitable organizations. Previously, Mr. Shackelton worked at Watershed Asset Management and Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. Shackelton received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Yale College in 2001.
Mr. Shackelton serves as a designee of the Series A Holders pursuant to the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock. Mr. Shackelton’s investment and business experience and broad understanding of the capital markets, business cycles, and capital investment and allocation are important qualifications for the Board. His experience as a director of other publicly-traded companies and his experience with a private investment company contribute to the Board’s collective knowledge, capabilities and experience.
Jerry Comstock was elected a director in March 2018. Mr. Comstock brings over 36 years of experience as a professional executive in the restaurant, automotive, and retail industries. Mr. Comstock serves on the Board of EYAS Capital, a private equity company that owns and operates restaurants. Mr. Comstock most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Fridays Restaurants from January 2017 through September 2017. From 2005 until selling the company in December 2016, Mr. Comstock was the Managing Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Restaurant Acquisition Group, a 330-unit multi-branded restaurant company. From 2002 until 2005, Mr. Comstock was Chief Executive Officer of Wherehouse Entertainment. From 1998 until 2002, Mr. Comstock was President and COO of Bennigan’s Restaurants. From 1996 until 1998, Mr. Comstock was a Senior Executive of AutoNation USA, one of the original six executives of that company. Mr. Comstock was a Senior Executive at Blockbuster Entertainment from 1991 until 1996. He started his career in 1977 with National Convenience Stores, becoming a Senior Executive in 1985. Mr. Comstock has served previously on the Board of Directors of Actio Analytics, AMF/Bowlmor and Eddie Bauer, and as Chairman of the Board of Wherehouse Entertainment Mr. Comstock received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Texas.
Mr. Comstock serves as a designee of the Series A Holders pursuant to the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock. Mr. Comstock brings extensive automotive and retail industry knowledge to the Board. Mr. Comstock’s experience as a director of other publicly traded companies and his demonstrated leadership roles in other business activities contributes to the Board’s collective knowledge, capabilities, and experience.
Robert DeVincenzi was appointed as a director in October 2021, and has served as interim Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2022. Mr. DeVincenzi has a lengthy career in various high technology and services markets. Mr. DeVincenzi has served on the Board of Universal Technical Institute since 2017 and currently serves as non-executive Chairman. Since 2014, Mr. DeVincenzi has been a principal partner in Lupine Venture Group, a business advisory firm that provides strategic consulting and corporate development advisory services. Additionally, Mr. DeVincenzi has served as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management at California State University, Monterey Bay since 2014. Previously, he served as a director and earlier as President and CEO of Redflex Holding Limited (2012-2021). From 2008 until its merger with HID Global/ASSA ABLOY in 2011, Mr. DeVincenzi was President and CEO of LaserCard Corporation, a biometric identification solution provider to global government and commercial clients. Mr. DeVincenzi served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Solectron Inc. from 2005 to 2007. Prior to that Mr. DeVincenzi was President and CEO of Inkra Networks, Inc. from 2004 to 2005 and CEO of Ignis Optics Inc. from 2003 to 2004 and earlier held senior executive sales, marketing and strategy positions at a variety of technology and services companies. Mr. DeVincenzi received a Master of Arts degree from Gonzaga University in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, San Luis Obispo and has completed Directors’ College at Stanford University.
Mr. DeVincenzi brings to the Board significant business leadership and strategy development experience as well as public company board expertise. Mr. DeVincenzi qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under SEC guidelines.
James Fredlake was elected as a director in March 2018 and had served on the board of directors of Lazydays’ R.V. Center, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Fredlake retired as Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Glass Container Corp in early 2017 after more than eight years as Chief Executive Officer and three years as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Fredlake’s background includes ten years with Alcoa Corporation after starting his professional career in public accounting. Mr. Fredlake serves on the board of Libbey, Inc. (for which he also serves as the audit committee chair) and previously served on the boards of Saxco International and Portola Packaging. Mr. Fredlake also serves as a board member for the Academy Prep Center of Tampa. Mr. Fredlake received a BS in accounting from Arizona State University.
Mr. Fredlake’s extensive management experience and his demonstrated leadership roles in other business activities are important qualifications for the Board. His extensive financial management experience and history with the Company also contribute to the Board’s collective knowledge, capabilities, and experience.
Jordan Gnat was elected as a director in March 2018. Mr. Gnat is founder and CEO of Playmaker Capital Inc. (PMKR: TSXV). Playmaker is a game-changing platform that sits at the nexus of Sports, Media, Gambling and Technology that is marrying an ecosystem of sports fans across multiple channels with product tools to create outsized fan value and loyalty for sports betting companies, advertisers, and sports leagues around the world. Prior to Playmaker, Mr. Gnat served as Group Senior Vice President of The Stars Group, an owner of industry leading gaming brands, from July 2018 - May 2020. Mr. Gnat served as Senior Vice President Strategic Business Development for Scientific Games from 2011 through April 2018. Prior to joining Scientific Games in 2011, Mr. Gnat was Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boardwalk Gaming and Entertainment from 2004 to 2011 which grew to become the largest charitable gaming operator in Canada. Mr. Gnat also served as Executive Vice-President of Kilmer Van Nostrand Company Limited from 2002 to 2011, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Midnorthern Group from 1994 to 2002, which grew to be the largest integrated major appliance wholesaler/retailer in Canada. Mr. Gnat is involved in several volunteer and philanthropic organizations. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Playmaker Capital Inc. and the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation in Toronto. Mr. Gnat received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario.
Mr. Gnat brings business development knowledge to the Board. Mr. Gnat’s experience as an executive provides leadership experience (including at the CEO level) that strengthens the Board’s collective knowledge, capabilities, and experience.
John North, our Chief Executive Officer, joined Lazydays in September 2022, after spending more than 20 years in related automotive and retail industries. John most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Copart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRT), a member of the S&P 500, and a leading provider of online auctions and vehicle remarketing services. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), a global leader in car and truck rental, and on-demand car sharing. Before joining Avis Budget Group, he spent 17 years in leadership roles with Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD), one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, including as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. John earned his B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA Charterholder.
Erika Serow was appointed to the Board in March 2018, subsequent to our business combination with Andina Acquisition Corp. II. Ms. Serow has served as Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Bain & Company since January 2019 and previously held various executive positions at Bain & Company during her prior 20-year tenure there from August 1995 through December 2015, including Partner and Head of Bain’s Americas Retail Practice. Ms. Serow brings over 20 years of retail experience as an executive in the consulting and retail industries. Ms. Serow served as Global President and U.S. CEO of Sweaty Betty, a UK-based women’s activewear company from January 2016 through February 2017. Ms. Serow received an M.B.A. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Duke University.
Ms. Serow brings extensive retail, executive and marketing knowledge to the Board. Ms. Serow’s experience as an executive in the consulting and retail industries provides knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board’s collective knowledge, capabilities, and experience.
