Forest River Announces Retirement of PUMA General Manager Todd Martin

Forest River announced that longtime PUMA General Manager Todd Martin will retire Oct. 2 after more than four decades in the RV industry, with three leadership changes planned as the company transitions responsibilities within its PUMA and Palomino Overlanding divisions. Martin joined Forest River in 2003 to help launch PUMA and has since overseen the brand's growth from zero dealers to approximately 140,000 units produced. During his tenure with the company, he held sales and general management positions and also oversaw PUMA's laminated travel trailer division and the Palomino Overlanding division, which includes Pause travel trailers and Palomino truck campers. 'Todd built PUMA around consistency, quality, and strong dealer relationships,' said Shawn Kaylor, incoming general manager of PUMA stick-and-tin travel trailers. 'He led by example, treated people fairly, and gave his team the freedom to make decisions while always being there when they needed him. He has had a tremendous impact on this team, this brand, and the people who have had the opportunity to work with him,' Kaylor added. Kaylor will become general manager of PUMA stick-and-tin travel trailers effective Oct. 1. Austin Groves will also assume a general manager role on that date, leading the Palomino Overlanding division, including Pause travel trailers and Palomino truck campers. Joe French, who previously served as Rockwood's Southeast sales representative, has been promoted to sales manager for PUMA. Kaylor and Groves will work with Martin during the transition. 'Todd gave us clear guidelines and boundaries, but within those boundaries, he gave us the freedom to make decisions and figure out how to get where we needed to go,' Groves said. 'That trust and autonomy are things I plan to carry forward as we continue building on what Todd established. My focus will be on strengthening the Palomino Overlanding division, continuing to grow our presence in the off-grid market and making Forest River a name people recognize when they think about off-grid and overlanding platforms,' Groves added. Fred Hershberger, Forest River Group general manager, said Martin's approach centered on fairness, kindness and product quality. 'Todd has always been a leader people wanted to work with,' Hershberger said. 'His approach was simple. Treat people fairly, lead with kindness, and build a quality product our dealer partners can count on. That legacy will continue well beyond his retirement.' Forest River said Martin will conclude his career Oct. 2 and congratulated him on his retirement while also recognizing Kaylor, Groves and French on their new leadership roles.