The RV Industry Association (RVIA) announced the appointment of Kennedy Solomon as its new Manager of State Affairs.
Solomon joins a government affairs team that serves as the primary resource for industry members regarding state legislators, regulators, and stakeholders.
In this role, he is tasked with collaborating with industry partners and educating lawmakers to advocate for legislation that supports RV business growth nationwide.
“As a policy enthusiast, the best part of my role is learning the key legislative issues and regulations that will impact the RV industry as a whole,” Solomon said in a News and Insights report of RVIA on December 11.
Solomon, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from San Francisco State University.
He subsequently relocated to the Washington, D.C. area, earning a master’s degree in public policy from George Mason University’s Schar School of Public Policy and Government.
His legislative career began in federal government, where he interned for Representative Lacy Clay Jr. of Missouri.
Solomon later returned to California to intern for State Assemblymember Bill Quirk.
“I gained a fundamental understanding of how state governments move faster than Congress,” Solomon said. “For instance, a bill could be introduced in January, and then by June, it’s implemented into law.”
He noted that this legislative efficiency was a primary driver for his career path, adding, “I like the pace.”
Before joining the RVIA, Solomon managed programs regarding homelessness, hunger, and housing for the City of Oakland’s Health and Human Services Department.
He also held government affairs positions in the healthcare and technology sectors following a career pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solomon identified the bipartisan nature of outdoors as a key motivator, noting that the sector brings people together regardless of political ideology.
“I’m proud to be a part of an organization that helps foster unity so consumers can continue creating memories and enjoying the outdoors,” Solomon said.