CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER MANAGER SUBURBAN PROPANE, LP www.SuburbanPropane.com
Larry Brownfield AVP FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA, INC. www.OwnAKOA.com
Buddy Allen is the CSC Manager with Suburban Propane covering Central and North East Texas areas. Graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches with a Bachelors in Business Administration. Suburban Propane is TACO’s preferred provider providing special pricing and discounts for TACO members.
Larry Brownfield After a career spent in organizational management and leadership, he and his wife, Carla, became full-time RVers and Work Campers in 2005. They traveled the U.S., working at campgrounds from Bethel, Maine to Anaheim, California prior to joining the KOA corporate team in 2008.
Larry has been an integral part of KOA’s campground conversion and new construction efforts. In his current role, Larry oversees a team of KOA Franchise Development Managers. This team works directly with independent campground owners throughout North America who are interested in joining the KOA system of over 500 parks.
Ron Hinkle
TACO LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT www.TACOMembers.com
Mark Koep FOUNDER AND CEO CAMPGROUND VIEWS www.CampgroundViews.com
April Richardson
DIRECTOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS
DEPARTMENT -
Kim Seidel ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, NEWBOOK www.Newbook.com
Christine Taylor
Brownfield has shared his campground expertise as a reoccurring presenter at several Outdoor Hospitality Industry association’s (OHI), formerly ARVC, annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), as well as speaking at numerous state and regional Campground Owners Association meetings. He has been an instructor at the George O’Leary National School of Outdoor Hospitality, formerly National School of RV Park & Campground Management since 2014.
Ron Hinkle began his legislative career in 1983, working in the Texas legislature for a couple years. Hinkle was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms for the Texas House of Representatives by then-Speaker Gib Lewis. Two years later, while still serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, Hinkle was promoted to Legislative Division Director for the Texas House and served in that capacity until 1991. He has served as assistant government affairs director for the Texas Chamber of Commerce.
Later, he served as Legislative Liaison for the Texas Public Utility Commission, where he assisted PUC Commissioners and legislators during major rehaul and deregulation efforts of the telecommunications and electric utility industries. Hinkle then opened his own legislative consulting business, where he has represented Fortune 500 companies as well as various associations and manufacturers.
Mark Koep is the founder and CEO of Campground Views, a pioneering platform that transforms how people discover and plan their camping trips. An avid camper, husband, and father of three, Mark blends personal passion with professional expertise to make camping more accessible and enjoyable.
With over a decade of experience, Mark has grown Campground Views to include over 25,000 camping destinations and 3,300 virtual tours. His cutting-edge 360-degree technology lets users explore campsites in vivid detail, simplifying trip planning. As an active leader in the outdoor hospitality industry, he continues to drive innovation and support the camping community.
April Richardson Director Alternative Fuels Department Oversight and Safety Division, Railroad Commission of Texas RRC for 26 years; Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) department for more than 20 years.
Department Director for the past 8 years; Alternative Fuels Safety Specialist for 8 years; Pipeline Safety department for about 5 years. Infrastructure Liaison Officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Helped develop the damage prevention program for reporting damage to underground pipelines. Previously worked in the LP-gas industry in an administrative capacity, as well as in the field. Member of four National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees relating to alternative fuels.
Kim Seidel is an Account Executive at Newbook with a background in innovative cloud-based technology. She is passionate about helping operators achieve their business goals by using technology to unlock new opportunities. Outside of work, Kim is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys exploring nature with her dog Baron and playing pickleball.
Christine Taylor, Esq. Goldberg Segalla Partner, in Albany, New York, focusing her practice in Hospitality, Business, Labor and Employment, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning, and Litigation. With two decades of experience and a background in the camping industry, she provides legal services to campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping venues. Christine is lead counsel for TACO.
Class #1 - What’s New in TACO Benefits in Main Classroom (simultaneously with class #2)
1:00 - 1:45 ............. Class #2 - Getting The Most Out Of PROPANE – RR Commission & Suburban Propane In Yellow Rose Room (simultaneously with class #1)
4:30 - 6:00 .......................Happy “Hour” With Vendors In Trade Show (2 Tickets Per Person For Beer Or Wine + Cash Bar)
6:00 - 7:00 ............................ Dinner (Bar is Open) (Raffle #1) And Silent Auction (Raffle for $500 Trade Show Cash)
6:00 - 9:00 ......................................... Cowboy Casino Night - San Jacinto Room (Cash Bar) And Silent Auction
Wednesday, April 30th
8:00 - 8:45 ................................ Breakfast – High Roller Award Presented by Cowboy Casino Event Sponsor - Leavitt 8:45 - 9:30.................... Class #5 - 8 Things You Can Do in an Afternoon to Enhance Your Business – Kim Seidel, Newbook (simultaneously with class #6)
8:45 - 9:30........Class #6 - Building or Expanding Your Park - Roundtable Jayne Cohen & Kelly Jones (simultaneously with class #5) 9:30 - 2:00 ........................................................................................ Trade Show
12:30 - 1:45 Pay For And Pick Up Silent Auction Items At Registration, Buy Raffle Tickets
2:00 ........................................................................................ Trade Show Closes
2:00 - 2:45............................. Class #7 - Christine Taylor - Campground Law 101/Best Business Practices (Raffle #3)
2:45 - 3:00 Break - Last chance To Buy Raffle Tickets (Raffle #4)
3:00 - 4:00 .............. Class #8 - Legislative Report - Brian Schaeffer, Ron Hinkle, Randall Dally, Michael Moore, Christine Taylor 4:00 Dismissed - Please Fill Out Show Survey Items In Blue Are In Bluebonnet 1 & 2 (Large Classroom) • Items In Green Are In The Yellow Rose Room Items In Purple Are In Bluebonnet 1 The Trade Show Room • Items In Red Are In The San Jacinto Room/Cowboy Casino Night
›› Priceless Education & Information – six classes led by industry experts.
›› Admission to TACO Awards Recognition.
›› Exciting & Fun TACO Raffle throughout the show!
›› Cowboy Casino Fun Night - Fundraiser for Legislative Initiatives.
›› Silent Auction – Fundraiser for Legislative Initiatives.
›› Largest Trade Show and Park Model/Glamping Exhibit in the Southwest.
›› Legislative Updates that will affect your business.
›› Meals – Tue. Dinner, Wed. Breakfast & Lunch. Early Registration By 4/1/25
• Special Eblast to recognize award winners to consumer list from Texas Campgrounds
• Special Recognition on TexasCampgrounds.com
• Awards Plaque presented at the TACO Show
• $100 Gift Card
Legislative Update Report
Ron Hinkle – TACO Legislative Consultant
As TACO looks forward to the 2025 Texas legislative session, the legislative team has begun to meet and discuss issues of concern. TACO is already prepared with its strong legislative agenda.
Here is what TACO leadership is focused on to improve the livelihood of the RV Park industry in Texas:
We will be discussing Texas legislative updates from the current legislative session, including these mentioned below.
➢ NFPA 1194 legislation will be filed by two strong legislators agreeing to sponsor and fight to get the RV Park construction and expansion law on the books. Senator Pete Flores and Rep. Ryan Guillen will lead this fight and we look forward to committing all the TACO resources to get this bill past the finish line.
➢ Additional Property Tax Relief and Reform is one of the issues the legislature has been studying during the year. TACO is still in the process of ensuring RV Parks receive any tax relief that other industries might experience in the expected legislation.
➢ Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: TACO has met with Senator Bettencourt, the author of the upcoming “squatters” bill, and has made the request to ensure RV Parks are noted to ensure “squatters”, or those claiming adverse possession of property, to part of the process for the immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights of property owners.
➢ Addressing the Rising Cost of Insurance: The legislature has been meeting on the impact of rising property and casualty insurance costs on Texas property owners, real estate lenders, and commercial and industrial development. TACO will ensure its place with other commercial entities in any legislation that arises during the 89th Legislative Session. As always, the legislature can be somewhat unpredictable in its work and TACO will remain vigilant in any potential changes in law, positive and negative, that might affect TACO and its members.
TACO Legislative Team: Ron Hinkle, Michael Moore, Randall Dally and Brian Schaeffer.
Ron Hinkle TACO Consultant Austin, TX
Michael Moore TACO Assistant Executive Director Crowley, TX
To fight government intrusion in your business and to put common sense laws in place.
TACO Silent Auction
April 29th & 30th • Last Call April 30th at 12:30 pm.
Bring your auction items, then bid early and bid often!
Typical items will include: state & national directory ad space, antiques, fresh lobsters, Texas themed items, tools, home decor, office & campground supplies, Texas fine wines, a bunch of lottery tickets and lots of other goodies!
