Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center | Small Business Spotlight

in Small Business Spotlight, member campaigns

Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center is a Lewis County-owned, family centered business, founded by Joe and Gina Starett in 2018. Since then, it has become an impressive company, branded by their mission to help customers experience the “Mountaineer RV Difference”. Joe and Gina pride themselves in being able to give their customers the true sense of Family as soon as they walk through the doors of the dealership. If you have ever been there, you know the feeling. It is one of community, love, and true caring for every person that comes in. The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce had the pleasure of learning more about Mountaineer RV, its story of success, and how its humble roots help in creating an atmosphere where customers and employees alike feel truly loved.

About the Business

Owners Joe and Gina started out camping as a young couple and quickly fell in love with the RV Lifestyle. For 15 years, they camped at all sorts of campgrounds with their children, family, and friends, making some of their best memories around the campfire. Eventually, they sold their RV to take care of Gina’s mother when she became ill. But after a few years, selling their Oil & Gas business of 20 years, and Gina’s mother returning to good health, they missed being at the campsite and decided it was time to go back.

When they started shopping for an RV again, the Staretts drove to three different states searching for the right one but couldn’t find the RV that checked all the boxes or the customer experience they were looking for. That’s when Joe looked at Gina and said, “I’m going to start an RV dealership.” From that moment, they knew they wanted to create a place where people could find not just an RV, but an experience built on trust, family values, and a passion for the camping lifestyle.

After Joe’s revelation, the couple immediately went to work, building what would become West Virginia’s #1 RV Dealer and bringing their vision to life. For Joe and Gina, faith, perseverance, and a strong work ethic have been the foundation of everything they do. Their ability to adapt, problem-solve, and build strong relationships has been key to their success. They believe in leading by example—showing up every day, working hard, and treating people with kindness and respect. These values have guided them through challenges and helped them build a business that reflects their commitment to excellence and service.

The dealership’s first location opened in Weston, WV in June of 2018. Although they saw successful business during their opening, they would see a major turning point when they realized the true impact of focusing on customer experience. Once they made it their mission to provide the best service possible, word spread, and they saw significant growth. This defining moment is what led to the creation of the “Mountaineer RV Difference,” Joe and Gina’s mission for the company. It states that “The second you step into Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center, you immediately become part of our family.” The statement goes on to talk about how every employee is dedicated to making the customer’s journey towards a new RV personal and stress-free, and highlights just how dedicated the company is to welcoming each customer to the Mountaineer RV Family.

Throughout the journey, the company has persevered through many challenges. One of the biggest that Joe and Gina faced was establishing their business in an industry filled with RV dealerships that had been around for years. Breaking into the market and making Mountaineer RV recognizable enough to manufacturers, banks, and other key partners was no small task. Gaining customer’s trust and proving that they could build a reputable, customer-focused dealership required persistence, hard work, and a commitment to excellence. Despite the challenges, they stayed dedicated to their vision, and over time, their reputation grew as a dealership that puts customers first.

“Our business has evolved from being a small, mom-and-pop RV dealership to what we proudly call the “Taj Mahal” of RV dealerships. In just five short years, we became West Virginia’s #1 RV dealer, and now, after six years, we’ve earned the title of a Top 50 RV Dealer in the nation. We’ve grown significantly, and we’re now an East Coast player, serving customers far beyond our home state. This incredible growth reflects our dedication to providing the best customer experience and quality RVs.”

- Emma Starett | Daughter of Joe and Gina Starett, and Marketing Administrator at Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center

Emma Starett shows immense pride for her parent’s accomplishments, and commented on how the company has grown over the years. When the dealership first opened, she worked as a receptionist, and is now the company’s Marketing Administrator, overseeing all advertising, social media, and more. She is one of the many family members that has helped and worked at Mountaineer RV. Gina’s mother, Linda “Janny” Bush works as a part-time receptionist and full-time friend at the dealership, running errands and bringing so much love to every person she sees. Gina’s Aunt, Sue Bush, helps working giveaway tables and greets each customer during the company’s many events throughout the year. Joe’s father, Ed Starett, worked full-time as a Salesman. After Covid-19 hit, he fully retired, but can still be seen at every Mountaineer RV event, cheering on his family with adoration and lending a helping hand to anyone who may need it. Ed’s wife and Joe’s mother, Linda Starett, was a huge support for the Family and its endeavor before she sadly passed. She was there each day in the beginning, helping prepare the first location in Weston by cleaning and painting. Emma’s brother, Hunter, also worked in many departments such as parts, service, and detail. The sibling duo’s significant others, Jayna and Ike, help out around the dealership during events, taking on many different roles. Along with family, there are many close friends that have helped out along the way, one of the most notable being the Jones Family. They were the stars of Mountaineer RVs first commercial, and became somewhat of “the face of the company.” They also did the groundwork for the business’ second location, and can be seen transporting RVs to and from the locations and shows. Along with great acting skills, they are exceptional friends who each member of the Starett Family speaks very highly of.

The dealership has grown considerably from its beginning 6 years ago, but Joe and Gina’s core values have stayed the same: faith, integrity, customer satisfaction, and community. Their faith guides every decision they make, ensuring that they lead with honesty and kindness. They believe in doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest or quickest option. Using these pillars, the couple has built an RV Dealership that truly stands out from the rest, a perfect balance of family and business. In the next few years, Joe and Gina see their business continuing to grow, staying as West Virginia’s #1 RV dealer and a Top 50 RV Dealer in the Nation. They plan to do more shows and events, and most importantly, expand their Mountaineer RV family with even more happy customers.

Fun Facts, Upcoming Events, & More

Joe and Gina’s favorite part about owning their business is bringing in great employees and spending time with them, building a strong team. They also love seeing so many happy campers leave their dealership with the perfect RV. Most importantly, they cherish the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God through their work, using their business as a way to serve others and make a positive impact.

Joe and Gina are deeply committed to supporting their local community. They sponsor missionaries in and around their area, helping spread kindness and support where it’s needed most. In addition, they are active in supporting local sports teams, events, and various community efforts. Whether it’s contributing to a local fundraiser or providing resources for a community project, they believe in giving back and making a positive impact where they live and work.

Some upcoming annual events for Mountaineer RV include their Spring Fling and Birthday Bash. Additionally, starting in 2025, MTRV plans to host a few events each month to bring together the camping community at their dealership, creating more opportunities for families to connect and celebrate the RV lifestyle.

A fun fact about Joe and Gina is that they share an office and work side-by-side every day. They absolutely love it this way and wouldn’t have it any other way. Their close partnership and daily collaboration are key to the success of Mountaineer RV! The couple works from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM each day, usually getting one day off a week. During peak season, they often work six days a week. Their days are busy, but they love what they do and stay fully involved in every aspect of the business.

Mountaineer RV & Outdoor Center has been a Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Member since their beginning days - over 6 years!