Searer Announces the Hall of Fame is Debt Free
Class of 2019 Inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Gala Ceremonies
RVIA’s Karen Redfern Honored by ‘Darryl Searer Spirit Award’
ELKHART, Ind., — A record-breaking crowd of industry leaders, friends, colleagues and guests gathered at RV/MH Hall of Fame Monday night (August 5, 2019) to help celebrate the induction of the Class of 2019 into the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall).
This year’s class included (RV Inductees): Randy Biles, Pikes Peak Traveland; Jeffrey P. Few, Automation & Manufacturing Systems; Bruce Hopkins, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA); Lance Wilson, Florida RV Trade Association; and Daryl Zook, KZ RV.
On the Manufactured Housing side, the inductees included: Richard “Dick” Ernst, Financial Marketing Associates, Inc.; John Carey, Modern Home Sales and Midwest Homes; Leo Poggione, Craftsman Homes; D. Raymond Broderick, Superior Homes; and Walter “Wally” Comer, Adventure Homes LLC.
Before the induction ceremonies, Hall President Darryl Searer, said in his “Annual State of the Hall” address, “In my closing remarks last year, I mentioned three goals:
“First goal was that the Hall would be debt free by the end of the year. We only missed that by two-and-a-half months. On March 25, 2019, the Hall was officially debt free.
“Our second goal was the money would be donated for Phase One to begin construction of the Pavilion and rally site. Thanks to Peter Orthwein, Bob Martin and Thor Industries, that goal was exceeded beyond expectations.
“The third goal was that we would have a commitment for the money to begin construction on the new 60,000-sq.-ft. event center. As of now that goal has not been reached; however, two out of three of our goals is not bad.
“If we work together that goal can also be achieved.
“As we look to the future, income will be up far more than the increased expenses. Our cash flow is excellent, and we are financially stable–all thanks to programs over the years such as the Ingram $100,000 match; “Burn the Bank Note; and the Kevin Clayton Debt Reduction Program–and many other promotions that both the RV & MH industries supported. We were able to achieve what seemed impossible only a few years ago.”
Darryl Searer Spirit Award
Searer also presented the 2019 RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s “Darryl Searer Spirit Award” to Karen Redfern. The Spirit Award is an annual award to honor the person who has demonstrated his or her desire and dedication to further the legacy of our great heritage.
In making the presentation Searer said, “Karen has been instrumental in working with the very successful Go RVing coalition for over 22 years and helping to ensure the Hall of Fame remains a viable part of GO RVing. As an example, when the Hall’s worn out sign needed to be replaced Karen stepped up and approved Go RVing to replace it with a new digital sign equal to HD television–seen by over 20 million people per year on the interstate helping to keep the MH & RV shining star brighter than ever. This year she was responsible for having the Disney folks stop at the Hall of Fame the day before TOY STORY 4 was released. We thought we would have 100 to 150 people show up; we had well over a thousand.”