Jerry W. James, who founded Franklin Homes in Russellville, Alabama, is a man of vision and leadership ability. For more than four decades, he has been both a trailblazer and innovator, pressing manufactured housing forward to reach its full potential, and offering homes that are not only affordable, but also renowned throughout the industry for their advanced designs and features. Jerry worked tirelessly to improve and promote manufactured homes serving on the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission, as well as the boards of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) and the Southeast Manufactured Housing Institute.

RV and MH dealer and park developer in many states. He was instrumental in the creation of over 5,000 mobile home sites in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, and California.