Dan has owned and operated Happy Cars Inc. (Car, Truck, and RV Sales) in Largo, Florida. Dan is a licensed RV dealer for RV sales and services giving access to RVs at all times. He has been in the auto and RV industry for 33 years. He was also a dealer for ultra-light aircraft for a short time. Previously, he owned and operated an aluminum siding installation company and worked a couple jobs related to the Steel Industry in the Chicago area. He is also a Master Certified RVTC tech and a Certified RVDA/RVIA tech.
Sam Alsop
Sam Alsop, Co-Founder/Director of Education/Head Instructor
Sam co-founded RV Training Center has been in the RV industry for over 17 years. Previously, Sam had his own Florida business, Generators Plus. Prior to starting his own business, Sam worked as an RV Technician at Bill’s RV Sales & Service in St. Petersburg, FL. He was an instructor for the Diesel Institute of America in Tampa, FL, a consultant for the Department of Education Aquaculture Program in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Diesel Department Head and Instructor at HowellCheneyRegionalVocationalTechnicianSchool in Manchester, Connecticut. Sam also had over 25 years experience in the marine mechanical field (M.E.P.) while in Connecticut. Sam is an RVTC and RVDA/RVIA Master Certified Technician and Instructor. Also, Aqua Hot certified and Universal EPA certified in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
My goal as director is to provide the best RV technician training in the RV industry. In my previous employment as a RV instructor, my students' biggest complaints were that they knew how to repair and service training aids but didn't know where it went in an RV. So when I started RV Training Center, I brought in RVs for students to do "hands-on" training. This is what sets us apart. Using onsite RVs gives students actual experience by allowing them to work on new and old RVs to diagnose, take out if necessary, service and repair the problem. We also have shop projects and a tractor trailer load of training aids. We show them broken parts as well as new ones to enable them to know what to look for when doing repairs after graduation. When we get service calls the class is taken out to observe repairs.
The RV industry is growing and desperately needs qualified, certified RV technicians and we strive to meet that need as well as make training interesting and enjoyable. With the struggling economy, some RVers are keeping their RVs, buying used ones, as well as new RVs, creating an increasing amount of work for the RV service industry. The RV industry as a whole is making a big comeback.
Doug Thompson - Instructor Doug Thompson is a Master Certified RVTC Technician and also Master Certified RVDA/RVIA Technician. Bio and picture coming soon.
Gail has worked at operating Happy Cars Inc. in Largo, Florida with her husband Dan for the last 17 years. She is experienced in accounts receivables, title work, business accounting, customer relations, and employee supervision. She is a notary public. Previously, Gail owned and operated her own property and casualty insurance agency as a licensed agent. She is also a Master Certified RVTC and Master Certified RVDA/RVIA tech.
Ronald Hadley
Ron Hadley, Ph.D./Director/Advisor/Consultant
Ron retired several years ago after 12 years of teaching small business courses as a professor at U.S.F. in Tampa, Florida. Previously, he taught various high school courses in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Since his “retirement” he has become a real estate investor and a business entrepreneur.
Joyce Alsop
Joyce Alsop, Administrative Assistant & Computer Support
Joyce has over 30 years of office administration experience with various companies in Florida such as Florida Power, Prudential Home Mortgage, Lickton Design, Suncoast RV and Triangle Consulting where she provided administrative and office computer services. She is a notary public. She also helped design and maintains the RV Training Center website. Joyce also helps with advertising.
Popeye
Popeye is the school mascot for RV Training Center.
Popeye is the only dog in the world that is a Certified RV Repair Technician. He lives at the school and has attended numerous classes, the same class several times over. This is one very smart dog. He does numerous tricks and brings a smile to many students faces just by his presence. Popeye also serves as the night watchdog. Popeye comes from a Jack Russell father and and Chiuaua mother. Since he enjoys celebrity status he may also be the only dog to have his own email account. You can e-mail him dog treats or comments to popeye@rvtrainingcenter.com
Recreational Vehicle Training Center, Inc. is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education Florida Dept. of Education. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, Florida32399-0400.
Recreational Vehicle TrainingCenter, Inc. is a proud associate member of RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) and the FRVTA (Florida RV Trade Association, Family Motor Coach Association, and Escapees) All information and data contained on this website is copyright 2009 Recreational Vehicle Training Center, Inc. (RVTC). Additional information regarding our school may be obtained by calling 727-536-4694 or after 3:30 p.m. weekdays or weekends 727-418-2392. Email: rvtraining@verizon.net
