If you’ve taken a demo recently, you may have already met CampLife’s newest account executive, Brandon Reese. What you may not know, however, is the remarkable journey that brought him to this role—a journey shaped by an unexpected health challenge.
What began as a routine physical turned into a pivotal moment. Brandon hadn’t expected to hear words like “surgery” or “critical”, but those conversations would not only alter the course of his health but also influence the path of his career.
Brandon’s heart condition was first discovered during a physical in high school. At the time, his doctor wasn’t concerned, but by the time Brandon reached college, things had changed. A follow-up exam revealed the issue had worsened, and doctors were worried it could lead to serious complications if left untreated.
“I scheduled the surgery for May, right after classes ended because it had gotten to the point where it was critical,” Brandon explained. The news was disturbing at the time, but in hindsight, he’s grateful for how things unfolded.
Before his surgery, Brandon had been involved in sports, but something didn’t feel right. “I didn’t have much motivation to stay involved anymore. It’s like something was telling me to slow down,” he said. Without realizing it, that decision may have saved his life, as he remained asymptomatic leading up to the procedure.
As his freshman year ended, Brandon underwent surgery. What could have been a long and isolating recovery with lots of questions about what to do next turned into something else entirely, thanks to an unexpected opportunity from people who already believed in him.
Following Brandon’s recovery, Tyler and Jackie Duffy reached out with a suggestion that came at just the right time. The owners of CampLife had been keeping up with Brandon’s journey and thought he might be a perfect fit for an internship with the company.
“They knew I’d gone through the surgery, and they reached out saying, ‘We need an assistant part-time. We think it would be a great job for you,’ ” Brandon recalled.
The role was remote, making it a safe and flexible option after such a major surgery. Brandon officially interviewed and joined CampLife as an intern during his sophomore year.
“It was really nice of them to encourage me to apply,” Brandon said. “They knew I was studying business and that this role would be a good match for me. It’s just one example of the family-like environment the Duffys have built at CampLife.”
Brandon’s internship at CampLife quickly became a pivotal part of his college years. What started as a part-time assistant position turned into an opportunity to work across several departments and gain hands-on business experience.
“I started out helping with HR—filtering applications, doing some initial vetting—and also worked with accounts receivable,” he shared. “That was very helpful for me. I got a feel for several different departments.”
By his junior and senior years, Brandon’s internship evolved into a part-time position, and he became more immersed in the daily operations. “I even got to help out with a few tasks in marketing,” he added.
“CampLife gave me the chance to see how different departments work together,” Brandon said. “It wasn’t just about the tasks—I got to understand the bigger picture of how a company runs.”
When graduation came, there was no question about what Brandon wanted to do next. “I knew if I got the opportunity to go full-time with CampLife, I’d take it,” he shared.
And he did. He stepped into his new role as CampLife’s newest sales representative, bringing both confidence and a deep understanding of the company with him.
Working across multiple departments not only prepared Brandon for his role in sales but also gave him an appreciation for the unique dynamics of family-run businesses.
“In family-run businesses, you get to be involved in so many different branches,” Brandon explained. “Every business is like a tree, and with family-run businesses, you get to climb every branch and learn from every part of it. That’s what makes them special.”
Brandon appreciates how his time at CampLife mirrors that same dynamic. “I’ve grown up helping small businesses—whether it was through the family business or selling online—and I love that I get to keep doing that through CampLife,” he shared.
It’s also what helps him connect to CampLife’s customers.
“So many of the parks we work with are family-run, and they’ve had the same experiences. There’s so much professional and personal development that comes from that. I know so many of our park owners can relate.”
For Brandon, CampLife stands out because of its people.
“A lot of companies can meet similar needs when it comes to software,” Brandon admitted. “But with CampLife, you get our whole team. It’s not just about the product—it’s about the people behind it.”
One of his favorite parts of his role is seeing the relationships CampLife’s team builds with campground owners.
“When we’ve taken members of the Customer Success team to trade shows, you can see the connections they’ve built with campground owners and operators,” Brandon said. “They’re not just customers—they’re part of the CampLife family.”
The company’s culture is another highlight. “It’s wholesome,” Brandon said with a smile. “All the dad jokes, the fun we have—it’s encouraging. It’s the kind of environment where you want to come to work every day.”
At CampLife, building dependable relationships isn’t just part of the job—it’s the heart of what we do. And Brandon Reese embodies that value every day.
“We want to help meet our customers’ needs while treating them like part of the CampLife family,” he said.
Whether it’s support from the Customer Success team, assistance from a dedicated Onboarding Coach, or connections made with the Sales team at trade shows, CampLife is more than software—it’s a team committed to helping parks thrive.
With tools designed to simplify your operations and personalized support tailored to your needs, CampLife helps you maximize your property’s potential so you can focus on fostering those connections that make your park truly special. Curious how? Reach out today—you might even hear from Brandon himself. He’d love to talk with you about what CampLife can do for your park.
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