Groundbreakers of the Great Outdoors: RV Park Leadership in America’s Northeast

Meet the visionaries elevating the RV and campground experience across the Northeastern U.S.

• David L. Berg’s legacy at Red Apple Campground and leadership roles in ARVC and NCA set a standard for mentorship and industry unity.
  
• Al Daniels played a pioneering role at Normandy Farms and influenced national campground associations through decades of service.
  
• Dave King introduced modern innovations at Lake George RV Park while preserving a strong family tradition.
  
• Donald G. Bennett Jr. transformed CONY into a modern advocacy powerhouse, strengthening campground business practices in New York.
  
• Jason S. Vaughan demonstrates generational leadership at Pennsylvania’s PCOA, leading digital modernization and industry partnerships.
  
• Joann DelVescio drives marketing leadership and collaboration across state associations through her work at NJCOA and CAMP.
  
• Together, these leaders have shaped an industry that blends hospitality, innovation, and community.

(NEWS) NEW YORK, 2025-Nov-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The booming popularity of RV camping in the Northeastern United States didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of passionate leadership and visionary entrepreneurs who have devoted their lives to building and improving campgrounds across the region. From family-owned parks passed down through generations to savvy executives advocating for campground owners at the state and national level, these individuals form the backbone of the Northeast’s outdoor hospitality industry. Their names may not be known to every camper, but their work ensures that RV enthusiasts have memorable, high-quality places to stay. Below, we highlight some of the most influential figures driving the RV parks and campgrounds business in the Northeast – celebrating their biographies, accomplishments, and the parks they’ve shaped.

Maine’s Mentor: The Late David L. Berg

Red Apple Campground’s late co-owner David L. Berg famously delivered fresh Maine lobsters to guests’ campsites in a vintage 1948 Ford pickup – a personal touch that endeared him to campers.

In Maine, David L. Berg is remembered as an icon of the campground industry. A former police officer and photographer, Berg found his true calling when he purchased a modest campground in Kennebunkport in 1997 and renamed it Red Apple Campground. Together with his wife Jane, he transformed Red Apple into a “Clean, Quiet and Relaxing” haven that consistently earned top ratings from Good Sam. But Berg’s influence extended far beyond his park’s gates. He became a champion for all campgrounds: serving on the Maine Campground Owners Association board (including two terms as president) and later on the board of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC has rebranded to Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI)). In fact, Berg rose to be ARVC’s chairman in 2010-2011, using his energetic leadership to guide the industry through challenging times. He also volunteered for the Northeast Campground Association (NCA), serving as its president in 2009-2010. Colleagues recall David Berg as a mentor and a unifier – someone who “brought out the best in everyone around him” and was “driven to help others succeed,” in the words of those who knew him. Though he passed away in 2021, Berg’s legacy of passionate, hands-on leadership lives on in Maine and throughout the Northeast’s camping community.

A Family Pioneer in Massachusetts: Al Daniels

In Massachusetts, Albert “Al” Daniels of Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort has been a driving force in the industry for decades. The Daniels family’s campground in Foxborough – established on their ancestral farmland in 1971 – grew into one of New England’s premier RV resorts, even earning multiple national “Park of the Year” awards. At the helm, Al Daniels combined old-fashioned hospitality with forward-thinking improvements, setting a high bar for campground quality. His contributions, however, went beyond managing an excellent park. Daniels became known as a visionary industry leader at the state and national levels. He helped lead what was then the National Campground Owners Association (now ARVC) through a turbulent period, serving as the association’s president and board member during a financial crunch and guiding it back to stability. He also chaired ARVC’s education foundation and led the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners as president, freely sharing his expertise to uplift other park owners. In recognition of his “unrelenting passion” and groundbreaking efforts, ARVC honored Al Daniels with its prestigious Pioneer Award for lifetime service to the outdoor hospitality industry. Now semi-retired, Daniels’ influence is seen every day at Normandy Farms – still operated by his family – and in the stronger campground organizations he helped build. His legacy is that of a true pioneer who raised standards across the industry.

Innovation and Legacy in New York: Dave King of Lake George RV Park

 

Lake George RV Park in upstate New York has evolved into a premier RV resort under second-generation owner Dave King’s leadership.

Upstate New York’s Adirondack region boasts one of the country’s most acclaimed campgrounds: Lake George RV Park, a 120-acre resort that seamlessly blends family legacy with modern innovation. Dave King, the President and CEO, literally grew up alongside this park – his parents, Vic and Jess King, founded it in 1966, and Dave has been involved since childhood. Today, he is the second generation to lead Lake George RV Park, and under his stewardship the campground has become a benchmark for excellence in RV camping. King has overseen continual expansions and amenity upgrades that keep the park on the cutting edge. He introduced unique features like a state-of-the-art canine recreation area (“Charlie’s Bark Park”) and an expansive aquatic center with one of the Northeast’s largest hot tubs. These additions, alongside meticulous maintenance and customer service, have cemented Lake George RV Park’s reputation as a “Disney World” for campers, offering an exceptional experience for families. Recently, Lake George RV Park was recognized with top honors in the inaugural Best of Camp New York Awards, earning titles for both Best Overall Campground and Best Pet-Friendly Campground, presented by Camp New York and the Campground Owners of New York (CONY), according to a press announcement published on TravelPRNews.com. Nearly six decades since its founding, the park continues to attract generations of campers — and their pets — seeking memorable outdoor getaways in upstate New York.

Yet for all his focus on innovation, Dave King remains deeply rooted in community and tradition. He often notes that the business is the same age as he is – both nearing six decades – and he carries forward his parents’ original mission while adapting to changing times. King’s balanced approach has not only won his park numerous awards, but also made him a respected voice among park operators. His story illustrates how multi-generational dedication and new ideas can combine to keep a campground at the top of its game.

Guiding New York’s Campground Owners: Donald G. Bennett Jr.

While owners like King focus on individual parks, leaders like Donald G. “Don” Bennett Jr. work behind the scenes to uplift all campgrounds. For 17 years, Bennett served as the President and CEO of Campground Owners of New York (CONY), the trade association representing New York’s private campground operators. An experienced campground owner himself (his family started a campground in the Finger Lakes region decades ago), Bennett brought first-hand knowledge to the role. During his tenure, he modernized and expanded CONY’s member services to meet the evolving needs of park owners. Under Bennett’s leadership, CONY refined its mission, upgraded its marketing (including a new CampNewYork travel-planning website), and rolled out creative member benefits from legal hotlines to group insurance programs. He also became a key advocate at the state capitol – lobbying to protect campgrounds from onerous taxes and regulations, and even helping ensure private RV parks were deemed “essential” businesses allowed to operate during the pandemic. Bennett’s collaborative style and forward-looking approach earned him accolades; he was inducted into the CONY Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to the industry. Having recently stepped aside from the association role, Don Bennett leaves a legacy as a steadfast champion for campground owners – one who professionalized the business side of camping in New York and strengthened an entire community through his leadership.

Pennsylvania’s Next-Generation Leader: Jason S. Vaughan

Pennsylvania’s campground sector is benefiting from the energy of leaders who quite literally grew up in the industry. Jason S. Vaughan, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA), is one such figure. Vaughan’s parents bought Mountain Vista Campground in the Poconos when he was a child, and he spent his youth learning the ropes of campground life from the ground up. Now, after decades of involvement, he not only helps run the family campground but also leads the statewide association that supports over 200 other park operators. Uniquely, Vaughan is “one of only a handful” of state campground executives in recent times to come from a campground-owning family – giving him a deep understanding of the challenges and joys park owners face. Since taking the helm at PCOA, he has focused on modernizing operations and fostering cooperation. Vaughan spearheaded a complete overhaul of PCOA’s consumer websites and travel guide, and he launched Hospitality Connections, an alliance that pools buying power for campground groups nationwide. He’s also become a vocal advocate in Harrisburg, pushing for fairer regulations and tax policies for private campgrounds and leveling the playing field against public parks. Those who know him describe Vaughan as someone who combines youthful enthusiasm with seasoned expertise, having literally never left the campground life. His leadership in Pennsylvania is helping ensure that family-owned parks – old and new – continue to thrive in a changing travel landscape.

Uniting the Region: Joann DelVescio and Northeast Collaboration

No profile of Northeast campground leadership would be complete without acknowledging the people who connect the dots between states. Joann DelVescio, for example, has been a tireless advocate for campground owners in New Jersey and beyond. After a 30-year career in tourism promotion, DelVescio took over as Executive Director of the New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) in 2011, succeeding a long-time predecessor. She quickly applied her marketing savvy to elevate New Jersey’s camping profile – revamping statewide campground guides (even earning national awards for them) and strengthening ties with tourism officials. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, which led her to take on the presidency of the Campground Association Management Professionals (CAMP), a national network of campground association executives. In that role, DelVescio has facilitated the sharing of best practices among state leaders across the country, ensuring that Northeast campgrounds benefit from innovations nationwide. Back home, she remains the go-to representative for campground issues in New Jersey – whether it’s navigating COVID-19 restrictions or promoting eco-friendly camping initiatives. DelVescio’s 40+ years in tourism and outdoor hospitality exemplify the dedicated, behind-the-scenes leadership that keeps the industry strong. As she notes, even after many years, the camping sector is ever-evolving – and she relishes helping campground owners adapt and flourish in the Garden State.

Across the broader region, cooperation is key. The Northeast Campground Association (NCA), led by Executive Director Cyndy Zbierski, provides a forum for all these state leaders and independent owners to unite on common goals. It’s a tight-knit community where mentors like David Berg left a lasting impact and where current stewards like Al Daniels, Dave King, Don Bennett, Jason Vaughan, and Joann DelVescio continue to carry the torch. Each of these individuals has a unique story and role – from running top-rated resorts to fighting for legislative changes – but all share a love for camping and a commitment to service. Together, they are the reason the Northeast’s RV parks and campgrounds are not just places to stay, but thriving destinations created and sustained by passionate people. Their leadership, often unsung, deserves applause from everyone who enjoys the simple pleasure of a campfire under the Northeastern stars.