The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has appointed Gaby Gilbeau as its new director of state affairs, adding a government affairs professional with a decade of policy experience to lead the association’s state legislative advocacy efforts.
Gilbeau, a graduate of Penn State Law, will oversee the association’s state affairs team, which monitors legislation across all 50 states and represents the interests of the RV industry before state lawmakers, regulators and other stakeholders.
According to the association, its government affairs staff works on both federal and state policy issues affecting the RV industry.
In her new role, Gilbeau said her responsibilities include tracking state legislation, evaluating its impact on the association and its members, and determining whether the organization should support or oppose proposed measures.
“We track bills in all 50 states and determine which ones have importance to the association and its members,” Gilbeau said in a News and Insights report of RVIA.
“If they’re impactful to us, we either support them or oppose them. That can involve writing letters of support or opposition, preparing testimony, going to testify in person, working with contract lobbyists all around the country, and working with coalition groups of other interested stakeholders, including RV dealers or the automotive industry to ensure we have the strongest voice possible for our association and its members on these bills,” Gilbeau added.
Before joining the association, Gilbeau held positions focused on government affairs and policy.
She completed a year-long litigation fellowship with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation before returning to Penn State, where she worked on biofuel law and policy and taught agricultural law and policy.
She also has experience with Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, Nuveen Green Capital and a Fortune 100 company.
Gilbeau said the position combined both her professional experience and personal interest in the RV industry.
“As a lifelong RVer, when I saw the job posting from the RV Industry Association, it was really a natural fit for me,” Gilbeau said. “I was looking for my next move and where I could be more effective with a broader portfolio of work. This perfectly aligned with my personal and professional interests.”
Gilbeau also said her connection to RVing began in childhood, when her family traveled with travel trailers to the Jersey Shore each summer. She added that her family continues to use an RV while traveling across the country to dog shows, including the Westminster Dog Show, allowing them to transport their dogs to competitions.