Skaggs makes 40 under 40 list in RV industry | Local News

For the list, Skaggs said people are nominated by others in the industry. She said two or three different people nominated her, and she found out about being on the list in September or October.

The ceremony for the recognition was in November in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace. She was 27 years old when she was nominated and is 28 years old now.

Skaggs said her inclusion was “surprising” and she felt she was in “disbelief” considering all the other worthy contenders in the industry.

“I love what I do,” she said.

Skaggs attended John Hardin High School, where she was involved in the Future Farmers of America program there.

While in it, Skaggs said she was involved in the agribusiness sector of it, and worked on a horse and livestock trailer sale business in high school that won a State Star.

She then transitioned working in the family business of Skaggs RV Outlet in Elizabethtown. The business was founded by her father in 1983. Her parents met through camping.

Skaggs attended Western Kentucky University where she earned a bachelor’s of science in agriculture and a bachelor’s of arts in communication. She had an internship in Texas for the Department of Agriculture with the trade and business development team.

She came back to Kentucky and then earned her master’s in organizational leadership with an emphasis in sustainable business.

She said she has worked in various aspects of the business over the years including sales, finances and marketing.

Skaggs said she has many core memories of spending time with family while camping, and now seeks to help others have those same experiences with their own families. She said they also try and make sure that customers are buying RVs are not being overcharged.

“We’re in the business of helping families have fun,” she said.

Skaggs also said they have helped people whose homes were destroyed by fire or natural disasters and provide temporary housing.

She said she has had customers whose parents were customers that are now wanting to buy a camper.

“It’s kind of … full circle now,” she said.

Going forward, Skaggs said she has been on a couple design teams for camper floor plans, and wants to continue to have good relationships with manufacturers. She said she would like them to continue to be a personable business and to grow at the same time.

In her time in the RV industry, which typically is male dominated, she said she has experienced some people who will ask for a man when talking to her about these vehicles. She said that this has not deterred her.

“I feel like one of the big things is … not letting people say that you can’t do something,” she said.