Employee Highlight: Mario Mendoza
Please join us in congratulating Mario Mendoza on his new role. We've enjoyed having him as our Production Manager these last couple of years and could not be prouder to have him transition to his new role as Production Facility Manager.
Mario's passion for manufacturing began at 19 when he took his first job at Western RV - in the exact facility Adventurer Manufacturing would later start calling home in 2008. His 15 years of supporting AM’s production and making sure our employees have the tools they need makes this transition to Production Facility Manager a natural fit. He will continue to support the team in production and take a stronger role leading support for maintenance as well as administration development.
“I believe one of my biggest accomplishments is doing what I’m doing now,” says Mario. “Never did I imagine 29 years ago that I would be in the position that I’m in now.”
From very the beginning, Mario has demonstrated an outstanding ability to learn and assimilate into all stages of the production process. As he's progressed through the ranks of leadership, he's consistently inspired a culture focused on quality, team encouragement, and collaboration.
Not only is Mario highly skilled in component installation, but he also excels in teaching, leading, and motivating team members across both production lines. Mario has overseen numerous successful RV manufacturing projects, optimizing our production processes and increasing efficiency. His exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and ability to effectively communicate with colleagues and customers have driven our production efforts forward.
“At the age of 21 I oversaw the front half of the Camper Line,” says Mario regarding his experience. “A couple years after that I was promoted to a supervisor on the 5th Wheel Line. At 27 I was again promoted to Assistant Plant Manager. I was responsible for 2 production lines. Line: 1 was the 5th Wheel Line and Line: 2 was the Camper Line I had approximately 135 people on my team.”
Mario’s achievements and positive contributions have allowed him to shine bright on more than one occasion. We recently caught up with Truck Camper Magazine's Gordon and Angela White, who reminisced on the day Mario became their personal hero. After a 2018 accident in La Grande, Oregon, Gordon and Angela were in a desperate search for a facility that could handle their camper repairs. While nearly a decade had passed since Alpenlite's last production run in (what is now) our Yakima production facility, Mario and other senior members of Team Adventurer played a critical role in assessing and repairing their truck camper. Feel free to read the full story here.
In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Mario makes time for the finer things in life: family, fun, and beautiful cars. Mario and wife of 28 years have 4 children (3 daughters and 1 son) with whom he enjoys restoring vintage cars and attending automotive shows. One of the vehicles he’s restored has been in featured in the Lowrider Magazine multiple times!
We are thankful for all that Mario has contributed thus far and excited to see him apply this piece of his skill set to continue helping us grow and improve. “Coming from the production line and learning and growing throughout the years I understand the challenges and issues that come up,” says Mario. “Having the available resources and the support from the team will help tremendously.”
Congratulations, Mario, on your achievements and your new role overseeing all manufacturing operations. Your passion, dedication, and leadership are an inspiration to us all.