Go, Team
Every member of the Ember team is empowered to share their unique talents and insights. Together, the Ember team will build up the best company for customers and employees while we build up each other.
To build a better RV, we need to build a better RV company. By aligning superior customer experiences with greater team member fulfillment, we’ll create RVs meant for fun while having fun.
Become the most respected and sought-after independent RV brand in the marketplace through a commitment to quality, team member fulfillment, customer satisfaction, and a better ownership experience.
Provide an inviting and culturally rich workplace where all team members feel fulfilled. Create new and innovative products that fulfill our customers wishlists, while challenging the status quo. Provide strong customer and dealer relationships that create positive ownership experiences before, during, and after the sale.
Every member of the Ember team is empowered to share their unique talents and insights. Together, the Ember team will build up the best company for customers and employees while we build up each other.
Founder/President/CEO
Ashley Bontrager is the granddaughter of Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager, founders of Jayco, Inc. After graduating from Butler University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Advertising, she moved to Washington, D.C. However, growing up around the family-owned company, Ashley always had a desire to learn the business and work her way up into senior management, which is ultimately what brought her back to Elkhart County.
She started her industry career as a marketing manager, managing two of the company’s divisions marketing efforts. From there, she was promoted to Director of Marketing in 2014, overseeing and managing all the company’s marketing activities. During her career, she has cultivated her industry experience and established strong dealer relationships. As Ember grows, Ashley is focused on following the “Golden Rule” and always trying to do better, as her family taught her growing up. She enjoys using her drive and the skills, work ethic, and integrity she learned from growing up around her family’s business to build a better RV by first building a better RV company.
Founder/VP/COO
Chris Barth, known for his trend-setting designs and product innovations, has over 25 years of experience in the RV industry. He began his career working as a supplier to the industry, eventually being named President for the company and brokering the sale of his family’s 30-year-old business, before moving to the OEM side. Since 2009, he has used his innovative and creative skillset in sales and product development management to grow market share for several product lines and challenge the status quo.
Throughout his career, Chris has established strong supplier and dealer relationships, where he has earned the trust and respect of being an industry mover and shaker. Chris, Ember’s COO, brings a myriad of talents and expertise to the team and is already working on several projects for Ember that will disrupt the industry.
Founder/Director of Operations
Steve Delagrange brings 28 years of RV industry experience to the Ember team. He began his career as a line worker in 1993 but quickly rose through the ranks by first being promoted to Group Leader, then Lead Quality Inspector, then Assistant Foreman and then Foreman. Before joining Ember, his most recent position was Operations Manager where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of two production lines, which included working with multiple departments to ensure smooth flow of daily production and staying compliant with OSHA regulations.
Steve is known for leading people well and doing whatever he is doing with his whole heart and effort. He is joining Ember as a founder and Director of Operations where he will bring his leadership skills and extensive operations leadership experience to help push the company forward.
Founder/Director of Operations
Ernie Miller brings 19 years of industry experience as he began his RV career in 2002. His work ethic and positive attitude quickly garnered attention. He then continued to work his way up in the ranks by first taking on the role of a group leader in 2007, followed by a promotion to Assistant Foreman in 2011 and another promotion in 2013 to Foreman.
His most recent role before joining the Ember team was Operations Manager where he first oversaw several fifth wheel production lines and two lamination plants. Ernie is known for his creative, out-of-the-box, solution-oriented thinking, and can-do attitude. He is excited to bring his expertise to Ember as one of the founders and Director of Operations.
Director of Human Resources
Sherri Snider is Ember’s Director of Human Resources and brings over 30 years of human resource experience to the team ranging from benefits to payroll to employee relations. Sherri graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and through a college internship with the Disney Institute, she learned the importance of providing a quality experience for customers early on. She is focused on creating and maintaining a positive work environment & culture where all team members can grow and thrive in their careers.
Director of Ownership Experience
Holly Tope is Ember’s Director of Ownership Experience. Holly is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Indiana State University. She began her career in the RV industry in 2005 before switching industries by joining Polywood, an outdoor furniture manufacturer. Her most recent role at Polywood, before joining Ember, was the Director of Quality and Testing. In this role she developed, promoted, and supported the company’s missions through refined quality metrics, and evaluated data to propose corrective actions and establish value-added process and tools.
Holly brings a high-level of focus on quality – in processes, product and relationships. She will be instrumental in providing strong owner and dealer support by providing strong leadership for our Ownership Experience department and is committed to diligently and promptly addressing all warranty and parts related issues that may arise.
The Ember team works to build the most sought-after independent RV brand, all while building a stronger team together.
View Open PositionsJoin our mailing list to keep up with all the exciting news at Ember.