Rick Mendlen served with integrity and professionalism during his four decades of service at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As the chief engineer in the Office of Manufactured Housing, Rick was the primary author of the HUD Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards, which became effective in 1976 and contributed immensely to the high quality and acceptance of manufactured housing as a significant source of single family housing in our nation. Rick was the government's ambassador to the manufactured housing industry. Above all, Rick has always strived to create standards for a safe and durable product while also allowing for innovation and creativity within the industry.

Drawing upon a 40-year career as an RV technician and training specialist, Gary Bunzer has established himself as an expert educator to both the RV owner as well as the RV service professional. In the RV industry Gary's name is synonymous with RV technical education and training beginning nearly 40 years ago with his self-created consumer questions and answers column, "The RV Doctor," and its precursor, "Gary Sez." In 1976 he established Bunzer Consulting, Inc., providing dealers with on site classes and also as a featured speaker at industry-sponsored educational expos, trade shows, and national and regional consumer RV shows. He also was the first RV educator to write, produce, and direct specific RV service training videos and DVDs for the professional RV technician and the RV owner. In 2009 Gary was honored by RVIA with its National Education Service Award for contributions to RV technical education.

As the first RV industry woman manufacturer's agent, Marlene Sine introduced thousands of products to the industry by educating and training others on how to promote products to the distributor, dealer and consumer. In her more than 50-year career, she volunteered thousands of hours to serve and support many industry associations such as WDA, RVAA, MARVAC, and RVIA, and she's a driving force of the professionalism in today's aftermarket. In addition to being manufacturer's agent, she's also an aftermarket parts and accessories store owner and developed new products for the industry as a supplier. Marlene earned the respect of her colleagues as a person with the highest degree of honesty and integrity.

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.

Patricia is respected and admired by her peers for her high level of professionalism, trust and an unwavering commitment to her customers and the industry. Since 1972, Patricia has worked at Latham Homes of Oneonta New York and now serves as president. She has also been the park developer of several MH communities. Her volunteer work includes being a member of the New York Housing Association for 40 years and on its board of directors for 33 years. She served in all executive and leadership positions from president to secretary and treasurer; and she served on the Town Of Worcester Planning Board for more than 20 years. She was inducted into the New York Housing Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ed Baier became the first International parts distributor in the United States and Canada in 1966. At the top of his career he had 10 branches of Trailer Equipment Distributors Inc. (six in the U.S. and four in Canada}, three subsidiary companies, (West Coast Metal Products, Interstate Metal Fabricators, Motor Wheel and Parts) and two manufactures' rep firms, (Tedco Associates, Mid-America Representatives).

He was a driving force behind dealer/tech clinics to keep everyone apprised of new code regulations regarding the industry as well as product knowledge. He always supported every facet of the industry in his region and protected the true industry dealers with good inventory and price structures. He implemented the six digit numbering system (00-0000) still used by many distributors today.

He was well respected by the dealers he served, the product manufacturers that he represented and marketed, and the industry associations he supported. His love for the industry and the excitement of its growth is what fueled him.

In 1985 Jay Hesse became president of Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co., a 85-year-old business founded by his grandfather that manufactured products and equipment for the agricultural market. The 1980s were a tough time for the company, mostly because it was a tough time for farmers and the ag industry. Jay was looking to diversify and looked at the RV industry. Automatic acquired Hewitt Tubular Products in 1990, and the RV side of Automatic's business really started to take-off. The line included Blue Ox tow bar assemblies and tow bar accessories, Blue Ox fifth-wheel tailgates for full-size pickups and Rock Stopper tandem wheel trailer chocks. Jay not only proved himself as a businessman, but also, as a dynamic leader, innovator and a generous contributor to industry organizations and causes, both in time and dollars. He joined and served several industry associations including the Warehouse Distributors Association (WDA). For his outstanding leadership Jay was presented with the RV Aftermarket Association's (RVAA) "Jim Barker Person of the Year Award" in 1998. Jay served as a board member and vice president of RV/MH Hall of Fame board of directors - 2011 - 2014, and was actively involved in the Go-RVing Coalition.

In 1985 Ernie Friesen ended a 20-year career with Nabisco and purchased All Seasons RV Center in Yuba City, California, and ten years later acquired Redding RV Center in Redding, California--both successful businesses today. From the beginning Ernie went far beyond being a great, customer-focused dealer and business owner, he volunteered countless hours in his local communities as well as with the national RVDA and California RVDA. His volunteer leadership helped improve industry education and training, including serving as president of the Sacramento Dealers Association, RVDA board of directors, chairman of RVAM, and RVDA chairman of the board. On the state level Ernie was co-founder of the California RVDA and also served as its president from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, the Yuba City Chamber of Commerce named him Small Businessman of the Year. Then in 2007, RVDA named him the recipient of its James B. Summers Award, the association's top service award.

Jim Miller has always been an advocate for the MH industry and has served the industry for over 40 years. After graduation from the University of Georgia, Jim began his career in the housing industry and has served in various sales, marketing and management leadership positions. He began his career as vice president of Sales and Marketing for Redman Homes in Texas. After a successful career with Redman, Jim became president and CEO for Brigadier Homes in Georgia, before joining Coachmen Industries in Elkhart, Indiana as president of Coachmen's Housing Group. Jim also served as executive vice president for Style Crest Industries located in Ohio prior to joining R-Anell Homes in North Carolina, as a consultant. More recently, he became a consultant for Nationwide Custom Homes. Jim was a huge supporter of MHI and was constantly stepping up to the plate as a sponsor for many different fundraising efforts at MHI and other related industry associations such as the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

Walt Bennett joined Airstream in 1977 and promoted to vice president, Thor Industries, Inc., in 1983. He rose in the Thor ranks over the years and finally in 2011, he was named Thor's vice president.

Bennett's passion for excellence has had a significant effect on the RV Industry through Walt's involvement with the RVIA. He served as RVIA Chairman (2001 - 2002). He has also served on RVIA's Public and Legislative Affairs Committee Member since 1993. Walt's no-nonsense, do the right thing approach has influenced many RVIA decisions that will continue to have an everlasting impact on the industry as it moves forward.