A St. Davids RV dealer is being recognized as a premier business owner in his industry by a provincewide organization.

John Petrie, owner of Niagara Trailers, has been named this year’s RV Dealer of the Year by the Ontario RV Dealers Association.

The award is the association’s highest honour for an Ontario-based RV dealer and recognizes leadership, industry contributions, community involvement and a commitment to customers and employees.

Petrie was selected from four nominees put forward by members of the RV dealers group. The other nominees were Kymberlely Clark of Globetrotter RV, Edward Raymond of Leisure Trailer Sales and Ben Hettrick of Smith’s RV Centre.

In presenting the award, Natalie Conway, executive vice-president of Ontario RV Dealers Association, highlighted Petrie’s decades of leadership and service to the RV industry and Niagara community.

“This year’s recipient reminds us that great leadership isn’t always the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes it’s the person who quietly shows up year after year,” she said. “The person who leads with integrity, earns trust through action, and never loses sight of the people who made their success possible.”

Petrie has served for many years on the RV dealers association board, including as treasurer, and has contributed to the association’s show committee. He continues to serve on the membership committee.

He also has supported community organizations including the St. Davids Lions Club, Red Roof Retreat and Project SHARE, as well as charitable organizations and youth initiatives across Niagara.

Under Petrie’s leadership, Niagara Trailers has been named Canada’s No. 1 KZ dealer for 10 consecutive years and has been North America’s No. 1 KZ dealer three times in the past decade.

The family business was founded more than 50 years ago by Doug and Anna Petrie. John later assumed leadership, continuing the family’s focus on hard work, honesty and family values while expanding the dealership.

Niagara Trailers will celebrate its 55th anniversary next year.

Petrie credited his team for the award.

“It is quite an honour to receive this award on behalf of our team at Niagara Trailers — they are the ones who really deserve this award. They are the ones who stand behind our customers and our products and look after the people on a day-to-day basis.”

He also thanked the Ontario RV Dealers Association and fellow dealers.

“I really do appreciate the award very much and I thank our team at Niagara Trailers for their dedication to the dealership, our customers, and RV lifestyle.”

In her presentation of the award, Conway said Petrie has never sought recognition.

“He has simply gone about his work with humility, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving both his customers and our industry,” she said.