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Dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the pioneers and individuals who have made significant contributions to the RV and Manufactured Housing industries . . .
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RV-MH Hall of Fame
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Welcome to the RV/MH Hall of Fame
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| RV/MH Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Announced |
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ELKHART -- The RV/MH Hall of Fame today announced the election of the Hall of Fame class of 2009. The class will be officially inducted on Aug. 3 in Elkhart.
Those to be honored as selected by the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Board of Directors are:
RV dealer Richard A. “Dick” Baidas (deceased), General RV Center, Wixom, Mich. -- He was a long-term industry promoter and board member of the Michigan MH and RV Association. He has been a principal in the founding of 10 different RV and MH manufacturers. He built his RV dealership into the largest in the country at one time.
RV association executive Susan Bray, Good Sam Club, Ventura, Calif. -- She is a 30-year leader of the RV industry’s largest consumer organization. She has served for 25 years on the Board of the American Recreation Coalition, and on the Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Scenic Byways program. For 25 years she has been a valued collaborator with the RVIA Legal Affairs Staff. She was a key promoter of the “Take Pride in America” program to increase volunteer service on public lands that has been adopted by the Department of the Interior.
Manufactured Housing association executive Timothy J. Dewitt, Michigan MHA, Okemos, Mich. -- As a 30-year executive director of Michigan MHA, he is recognized by his peers and his members as a dynamic spokesperson for the MH and RV industries and a leader in developing positive promotions for both.
Manufactured Housing manufacturer Kevin Clayton, Clayton Homes, Maryville, Tenn. -- He has been named MHI Industry Person of the Year three times. He is the leader of what has been identified as the most dynamic team in the housing industry. He was the leader of the sale of his company to Berkshire Hathaway giving an enormous credibility boost to the industry.
RV supplier Hal Fowler, DTI RV Appliance Parts, Middlebury, Ind. -- He built what is now the largest distribution center in the country for supplying repair parts to RV dealers and repair facilities. He has served as a board member of WDA – the Warehouse Distributors Association and as an active member of RV Dealers Association. He is recognized for his maintenance of a huge inventory of parts for obsolete RV appliances and other parts.
RV aftermarket supplier David Garvin, Camping World, Bowling Green, Ky. -- He built the world’s largest RV supply and service business, and owned and operated a large RV park. He revolutionized the marketing of RV aftermarket products and services with customer satisfaction as the guide.
Financier Donald F. Glisson Sr., with Triad Financial Services, Jacksonville Fla. -- He has brought over 250 commercial banks into serving the MH industry, and was selected as MHI Lender of the Year. He built a small local finance institution into a highly respected national leader.
Manufactured Housing retailer Jake Hannon (deceased), AAA Mobile Homes, Tucson, Ariz. -- He grew his business to become Arizona’s No. 1 housing retailer, and established an early customer service program. He developed a popular market research program for housing retailers, and developed 11 sales centers with annual sales of $52 million. He was twice elected MHI national retailer of the year.
Manufactured Housing community developer Kristian Jensen, Jr. Jensen’s Inc., Old Saybrook, Conn. -- He is a respected member of the MHI board and chairman of MHI Communities Council, Northeast MHA, New England MHA and all state associations where he has communities (NH,CT,NJ,MD,NC,SC, and GA), He was the National Community Operator of the Year 2000, Has received recognition for the best land-lease community in the nation in both the, over 150 sites, and under 150 sites classes.
RV manufacturer Peter J. Liegl, Forest River, Elkhart -- He is a long time industry executive developing several companies. He built his company into the nation’s largest towable RV manufacturer. Most recognized for building his company into one of the industry’s largest and selling it to Warren Buffett, bringing Berkshire Hathaway into the RV industry.
The RV/MH Hall of Fame was founded in 1972 and has inducted over 300 pioneers and key leaders of the industry through its 37 years. Honorees are selected for their exemplary contributions to the growth and development of the greater industry and not primarily for their personal success.
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