Alumni and Friends Directory

Kay L. Toolson

Kay L. Toolson

Title: CEO

Company: Monaco Coach Corporation

Location: Coburg, Oregon

Educational Background

BS, Business Administration, Utah State University, 1968
MBA, Utah State University, 1970


Huntsman School Interactions:

Professional Achievement Award Recipient - 2003
Distinguished Executive Alumnus Award Recipient - 2007

Biography

A native of Smithfield, Utah, Mr. Toolson completed his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Utah State University in 1968. Following graduation, he accepted a position with the Xerox Corporation. Mr. Toolson returned to Utah State University in 1970, earning his M.B.A. through Xerox's continuing education program.

Mr. Toolson joined the recreational vehicle industry in 1972 as product manager for Kings Highway Mobile Industries in Los Angeles, where he later held the positions of national sales manager and vice president. In 1982, Mr. Toolson joined Anaheim, California-based, motor home manufacturer, Executive Industries, as a minority owner and executive vice president of operations, a position he held until 1986.

Mr. Toolson joined Coburg, Oregon-based, Monaco Coach Corporation in 1986 and completed a management buyout of the company in 1993. He has served as chief executive officer for the company since 1986 and as chairman since July 1993. From 1986 to 1995, Mr. Toolson also served as the company's president.

Monaco Coach Corporation conducted an initial public stock offering with shares listed on the NASDAQ exchange following the 1993 management buyout. In 1996, the company completed a $60 million acquisition of Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicles, a well-known industry brand previously owned by Harley-Davidson. In late 1998, Monaco Coach Corporation shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:MNC). As part of the company-listing ceremony, Mr. Toolson and his management team were invited to New York to ring the NYSE opening bell.

During Mr. Toolson's tenure with Monaco Coach Corporation, the company has grown from a small, specialty recreational vehicle manufacturer, recording $17 million in annual revenue to a 5,400-employee company that produces a broad spectrum of recreational vehicles and generates annual revenue in excess of $1.3 billion.

In addition to his role with Monaco Coach Corporation, Mr. Toolson has also held various leadership positions with recreational vehicle industry associations.

Outside of the recreational vehicle industry, Mr. Toolson is an active local community member, giving his time to a variety of charities. He also serves on the board of Paragon Medical, Inc., a manufacturer of surgical instruments and implant components, based in Warsaw, Indiana.

Mr. Toolson lives in Eugene, Oregon, with Judy, his high school sweetheart and wife of 41 years, and their two labrador retrievers, Buck and Duke.