Tom Ramsay
2011 RVDA of BC Dealer of the Year

The RVDA of BC is proud to present Mr. Tom Ramsay, Meridian R.V. Mfg. Ltd., with the RVDA of BC Dealer of the Year Award for 2011. Mr. Ramsay's long standing commitment to the RVDA of BC, RVDA of Canada and overall betterment of the RV Industry along with his participation and support of various community groups made him a worthy candidate for this honour as you will read in his biography below. Congratulations Tom; enjoy your well deserved award.

Tom Ramsay, General Manager of Meridian R.V. has come a long way with the business since 1971. Over the years, it's operation has consisted of everything from manufacturing its own line of custom-made R.V.'s, modular homes, and 2-storey commercial accommodation units in logging and mining camps to it's present-day sales of all types of towable recreational vehicles ranging from tent trailers to high end 5th wheel trailers, as well as a wide range of commercial trailers. Over the years, Tom's hard work and determination has certainly paid off.

After a bad business failure, Tom's family moved from New Westminster to Port Coquitlam in 1961 to farm, where Tom learned work ethics including haying, using machinery and milking the family cow.

Meridian Mobile (company name was changed 10 years ago) was incorporated in 1967 by his Dad Doug Sr., his Mom Leone and his brother and himself. After Tom's graduation in 1971, his career path was to become a veterinarian, however it was cut short when Tom's parents asked him to come back to work in the fledgling business after his brother was in a car accident.

Back then, everything from the building of the frame to the stitching of the upholstery was done in-house. In the 1980's when mortgage interest rates were in the double digits, the company diversified and shifted its manufacturing focus toward the expansion of the service centre to include a 30-bay shop. Warranty work was done for many R.V. dealers across B.C., Alberta and Washington State, including many of the manufacturers in Canada and the U.S. Tom recognizes that Meridian R.V.'s extensive service department has definitely been a key factor to the company's success.

Meridian R.V. is an honest family-owned and operated business , in fact – going into the 3rd generation! Tom & his wife Sherry 4 years ago opened a second location in 100 Mile House which has the full sales, parts & service departments and has proven to be successful. This location was chosen because Tom and Sherry and their family have travelled extensively to 100 Mile House to their recreational property since 1990.

All 3 of Tom & Sherry's grown children are involved in the business. Tom's motivation & careful thinking has definitely paved the way to the company's great success. He ensures his customers that “We are not driven by greed. “ Tom and his knowledgeable friendly staff endeavour to make Meridian R.V.'s customers very satisfied with their purchases and he is pleased that they recommend their favourable buying experience at Meridian R.V. to their friends and families.

Tom's long-term dedication and commitment to the R.V. industry as well as his promotion of the R.V. lifestyle has been proven by his contribution as a Board Member of the R.V.D.A. of B.C. from 1998 to 2010 as a Director and as an Executive. He also served on the R.V.D.A. of Canada Board as a Director for 7 years. He chaired the R.V.D.A. of B.C. Service Seminars for many years, as well as he sat on the Okanagan College R.V. PAC Advisory Board for several years.

Tom believes in community involvement. For many years, Tom was deeply involved in the Scouting Movement. He sat on various City of Port Coquitlam appointed committees and task forces; was a member of the Port Coquitlam Canada Day Committee for several years; he sat on the North Fraser Pretrial Centre CAB Board right from it's site selection and when it opened in 2001, he continued to be on the Board right through until 2009. He is a proud member of the DeWolf No. 78 Masonic Lodge and has been since 1985, as well as being a Shriner.

Tom is an active Charter member of the Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise since 1989, and has served as President in 1995 and also in the year 2000. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow, recognized for his service by the Club.

Tom has over the years been very helpful offering many great and proven ideas in each and every one of the aspects he has been involved in, whether it was wise suggestions and input at the Board meetings right down to using his fantastic imagination in selecting fun activities at the Scout camps. He is very gifted with a keen sense of business and is recognized by his customers and peers with the highest integrity and credibility in both business and his personal life.

Tom is still involved in the business and working on ‘passing the reins' onto the family in the near future, as he enjoys very much going back to his previous love of farming and ranching which he does do at their family ranch in the Cariboo. There he's able to “play on his tractors and big digger machines”. However, when the cold weather is unbearable in the Winter, Tom & Sherry head south to their desert home in Palm Springs.