ALPHA PREVIEW · A concept site for The Rivet Collective. Sample shops and forms are not live yet.
The Rivet Collective
About the co-op

In three words: Raise the bar.

A private, professional collaboration for leading independent Airstream trailer repair and modification shops, organized as a nonprofit co-op.

Why we started

Raising the bar

This co-op was created to strengthen the independent repair community through shared technical knowledge, consistent repair standards, vendor partnerships, and peer collaboration. When top independent shops operate cohesively, customers directly benefit through established repair standards, enhanced parts sourcing, and more consistent service quality.

While this is a closed professional group for independent repair and modification facilities and their technicians, our customers are the reason this co-op exists and our goal is simple:

Raise the bar across the independent repair world to improve the ownership experience for everyone we serve. We believe cooperation between skilled independent shops leads to better outcomes than direct competition — and that’s a win for trailer owners everywhere!

col·lab·o·ra·tion

/kəˌlabəˈrāSHən/: the action of working with someone to produce or create something.

(In this case … Something GREAT!)

An Airstream inside a repair bay with work lights
Our Mission

Moving forward, serving two communities.

Airstream owners

  • Provide a trusted source for highly qualified independent repair shops
  • Establish quality standards that protect owners and their investment
  • Improve access to specialized expertise not always available through traditional service channels

Independent repair shops

  • Provide professional recognition through a vetted network
  • Support continuous improvement in training, quality standards, and business practices
  • Create a collaborative community of experts committed to advancing the craft of riveted repair

The opportunity

Across the country there are independent shops that:

  • Deliver exceptional work
  • Innovate beyond factory methods
  • Preserve older trailers
  • Solve problems others cannot

But owners struggle to find them or know which ones to trust.

Our solution

  • Identifying and vetting outstanding independent repair shops
  • Establishing service and craftsmanship standards
  • Supporting those shops with resources and collaboration
  • Helping owners find trusted service providers
Our Board

Our founder, Vinnie Lamica, and three Airstream owners.

Our purpose is to vet the shop owners applying to The Rivet Collective with the goal of selecting shops who uphold standards of excellence from quality control to customer service. Additionally, we will work to ensure that we uphold our commitment to the business owners who are part of the co-op and provide clear communication to owners.

Vinnie Lamica kneeling beside an Airstream with a technician
Founder

Vinnie Lamica

With more than 40 years in the automotive and Airstream industry, Vinnie brings to the table a wealth of knowledge on Airstream repair and customer service. Prior to starting his independent Airstream repair business, Vinnie worked for Volvo as a master technician and a field technical specialist. From there he went on to manage a large Mercedes Benz service center with a “Customer one” focus.

Jennifer Eggers fly fishing, holding a trout
Airstream owner

Jennifer Eggers

Jennifer is the President of LeaderShift Insights. Jennifer is a strategic executive advisor trusted by boards and senior leadership teams, with more than 30 years of global experience guiding senior leaders through complexity, transition, and high-velocity change. She knows how to ask direct questions that bring results. In her free time she loves to water ski, fly fish, work on her rig and travel the country.

Dave Purinton with his dog on a mountain summit
Airstream owner

Dave Purinton

Dave has been a lifelong outdoorsman and loves the freedom owning an Airstream brings to the equation. He’s an actual rocket scientist with a masters in aerodynamics from Georgia Tech. He brings a gift for decision making and critical thinking to the team. He is married to Clare, serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, is the 2nd VP of the Alabama ACI Club and his favorite pastime is teaching his grandson to ride a bike.

Airstream owner

Bruce Watkins

Bio coming soon.