COMMUNICATING WITH STYLE!
FRVA’s Communications department ensures the association puts its best foot forward by producing professionally designed and written pieces, such as Family RVing magazine . . . and many others.
By Robbin Gould, Director of Communications
Robbin Gould
When looking back on my 40 years of employment at FRVA, I’ve often joked, “I grew up here.” It’s not far from the truth! It’s definitely been a journey of growth.
In 1985, I spotted a classified ad in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper: A national association publication sought a typist with excellent spelling, grammar, and proofreading skills. Well, I was a fast typist. And, as a longtime wordsmith with a communication degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, I submitted my resume.
I must have impressed the right people, for I got the job and joined the Communications department that October with the title of editorial assistant.
At the time, “electronic publishing” at Family Motor Coach Association consisted of inputting magazine articles for Family Motor Coaching from paper manuscripts into a terminal connected to an IBM System 34 mainframe. We used a dot matrix printer shared with other departments to produce paper copies for proofreading. Completed articles were transmitted via phone to a typesetting company in downtown Cincinnati. One of their employees lived near our office and dropped off “galleys” — strips of type — each day on his way home. If corrections were needed, he would retrieve the marked-up galleys another day. Those strips formed the basis for magazine paste-up on layout boards.
Other equally laborious processes consumed us, too. In addition to managing magazine production, our department director also oversaw the planning and execution of the association’s conventions. I typed text for the event programs, transcribing her thoughts from a stack of mini cassette tapes.
Over time, FMCA’s “information systems” evolved to a modern IT structure, and the enhanced technology enabled production of a more professional publication. My duties also evolved. When our associate editor moved away, I was offered her position. In 1996, a separate department was created for conventions, and as personnel roles changed, I was promoted to editor. I then transitioned to department director in 2025.
In late 2017, the association expanded membership to include owners of all types of RVs; thus, the May 2018 issue of the magazine debuted with a redesigned look and a new name: Family RVing. In 2024, Family Motor Coach Association received a new name as well: Family RV Association, which presented its own share of redesign projects!
Throughout FRVA’s decades of change, the Communications department has rolled right along with them.
THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Our group is often called the “magazine department,” and that describes us to a certain extent. The team creates and coordinates the visual look, editorial content, and advertising for each issue of Family RVing. We write original articles, edit others’ articles, proofread endlessly, create captions, design layouts, produce display ads, coordinate ad sales and production with outside reps, prepare the classifieds section, monitor paper consumption and printing needs, and coordinate production and delivery services with our Wisconsin printer, among other magazine duties.
But the Communications staff also assists other departments. For example, we design and produce hundreds of pieces used for membership, marketing, events, chapters/areas, and overall association business, ensuring they are visually appealing, maintain correct branding, and convey a uniform message. We create brochures, fliers, rally banners, and promotional pieces for FRVA member partners. We produce and deploy enewsletters, such as the monthly Mile Marker, and other emails, including the digital magazine announcement. We also lend design and editorial support for print and electronic communications sent out by other departments. We produce chapter recruitment brochures upon request. Still closely tied to FRVA’s events department, we design theme art for international conventions and area rallies, and incorporate them in producing event programs, registration forms, volunteer pins, T-shirts, tumblers, and more. We assist marketing efforts by developing art used in social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other channels.
Currently, the department remains a close-knit group of five: two graphic designers, an associate editor, an advertising coordinator, and me. Each time we see a completed copy of the latest magazine; a convention program or exhibitor brochure; a media kit for potential advertisers; or social media posts using FRVA-produced art, we sit up a little straighter. It’s a pride thing.
If you hear someone call us the “magazine department,” know that we do produce the RV industry’s flagship publication. It’s also good to know that we do our best to make Family RV Association shine.
MEET THE TEAM
Robin Altman | Advertising Coordinator
Robin Altman
Job description: I assist with general advertising-related inquires; provide support to our advertising representatives to sustain revenue for FRVA media properties; assist members with classified advertising; coordinate magazine promotional mailings; manage advertising billing and invoicing; prepare magazine postage reports, print count calculations, and printer instructions; and oversee fulfilling contractual obligations for trade advertisers on behalf of FRVA. I also am involved in overseeing and producing email content, including managing the content calendar and deploying online readership and membership surveys.
Years at FRVA: 3
Hobbies, talents, and special interests outside of work: Hobbies — fitness, hiking, climbing mountains, biking, taking walks, dancing (poorly), traveling, watching sports, playing Pokémon, spending time with my cat, and trying new restaurants. Talent? I can do the splits!
Favorite part of working at FRVA: My business “homies”!
John Hamilton | Associate Editor
John Hamilton
Job description: I edit and write pieces for Family RVing magazine and the Mile Marker newsletter. I also prepare magazine material published on FamilyRVmag.com.
Years at FRVA: 1
Hobbies, talents, and special interests outside of work: I love watching a variety of TV programs and movies, going to theater shows (and even performing in community theater), exploring different restaurants, looking up random facts, hanging with friends, and traveling. A talent: I do impressions.
Favorite part of working at FRVA: Getting to read, edit, and write stories about interesting spots in America, and sharing these stories with our members.
Brandon Jones | Graphic Designer
Brandon Jones
Job description: I am responsible for creating visually compelling and on‑brand design assets that support marketing, communications, events, and digital initiatives.
Years at FRVA: 1
Hobbies, talents, and special interests outside of work: I enjoy creative and active pursuits such as art sketching and doodling, along with cooking, exercising, and walking.
Favorite part of working at FRVA: What I value most about FRVA is its clear direction and focus on growth.
Ayanna Luney | Graphic Design Manager
Ayanna Luney
Job description: I oversee the creative direction, branding, and production of visual materials that support FRVA’s events, membership marketing, and communications. My role blends design leadership, project management, production scheduling and oversight, and cross-department collaboration to ensure all materials are visually engaging, on-brand, and delivered on schedule. I oversee the visual production and workflow of Family RVing magazine from concept through final press files to ensure it is professionally designed and production-ready.
Years at FRVA: 26
Hobbies, talents, and special interests outside of work: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as cooking and traveling.
Favorite part of working at FRVA: I love all things design, especially creating artwork for area rallies, developing event themes and visual identities, and working on magazine layouts. I’ve also found inspiration for my travels and even the location of my destination wedding through the magazine’s travel stories. One of my newer favorites is writing for the Mile Marker newsletter. Fun fact: I’ve slept at work more than once — overnighting at FRVA’s campground in my parents’ motorhome when they were in town. I woke up feeling like I’d never left the office!