Forest River remembers founder and CEO Peter Liegl
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Elkhart-based Forest River Inc. has announced the passing of its founder and CEO, Peter Liegl, at age 80. Liegl founded the recreational vehicle manufacturing company in 1996 and is remembered by the company as “a visionary leader who transformed the RV industry.”
Liegl worked in sales and management positions in the RV industry, including roles at Midas Motorhomes and Middlebury-based Shasta RV, before launching his first company, Cobra Industries, a news release said. After the company went public, Liegl was fired and had to start again from scratch.
Undeterred by this setback, Liegl built his first RV by hand and launched Forest River. Over the years, the company expanded its product range to include buses, cargo trailers, vans, commercial vehicles and pontoon boats.
Forest River said Liegl’s strategic acquisitions and commitment to innovation helped the company become one of the largest RV manufacturers in North America.
In August, Liegl announced personnel changes in an effort to “envision the future and plan for a smooth transition,” promoting Chief Financial Officer Darrel Ritchie to lead corporate management; 22-year expert David Wright to lead Forest River’s commercial division; and Doug Gaeddert, previously leading the towable division to lead the entire recreational vehicles division.
Though he sold Forest River in 2005 to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Liegl served as CEO until his death.
Drawing inspiration from Apostle Peter’s life, Pete, as he was fondly called by those close to him, believed in redemption, leadership, and unwavering commitment to one’s beliefs, the company added.
In 2014, the company announced the Forest River/THOR Industries Community Fund as a way to assist employees at both companies in emergency situations with financial grants of up to $20,000.
He was widely recognized in the community for his philanthropic and civic efforts, through the Liegl Family Foundation that benefitted the Elkhart County Community Foundation, Goshen Health Systems, Wellfield Botanic Gardens and many others.
Forest River is the country’s leading manufacturer of buses and vans for both the private and public sectors. The company has more than 14,000 employees in over 100 facilities in more than a half dozen states.