Newmar Vice President of Sales Matt Ellinger earned the 2025 Women in Manufacturing Association’s (WiM) William E. Gaskin Ally Award.
According to the association, the Ally Award recognizes individuals who exemplify exceptional dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for women in manufacturing. The award celebrates individuals who actively champion diversity, break down barriers and advocate for meaningful change, demonstrating unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting women in the industry.
Ellinger said, “This is one of the coolest things I have received in my career. What makes it super special is that I was nominated by the women on my team. This is such a true honor for me.”
Newmar Account Manager Megan Pritz, who Ellinger tabbed as the first woman to fill the role at Newmar, submitted the nomination.
“Matt has consistently gone beyond expectations to uplift and support women on his team and throughout our company,” Pritz wrote. “He actively mentors female colleagues, providing guidance, feedback and encouragement to help them grow in their careers. He advocates for meaningful opportunities, visibility, and leadership roles for the women he works with. Matt’s belief in developing talent has led to real career advancement for his colleagues, including myself.”
Ellinger said RV sales traditionally are a “male-dominated field,” but creating a culture where everyone can succeed is important to him.
“I think the coordinators who support our account management team in sales at Newmar are all female, and all of them do an incredible job,” he said. “I think Newmar, as a company, is doing a great job of fostering that inclusion and maybe breaking a little bit of that glass ceiling from a sales standpoint.”
Pritz said Ellinger leads by example, creating a ripple effect enabling other leaders to become better allies.
She wrote, “He is widely recognized by peers and team members for fostering a culture where women feel empowered, supported and seen.”
Ellinger will receive his award Oct. 13 during the WiM Summit’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
