by Al Hesselbart
Contributing Editor
The Board of Directors of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation of Elkhart, Indiana, has announced the election of the 2007 class for the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
Members of the class as recommended by a nominating committee, from a pool of nearly 50 candidates, and elected by the foundation board of directors include:
- Mel Adams:
- an industry supplier from Airxcel RV Product Division in Wichita, Kansas. A past Chairman of RVIA, he has also served as Chairman of the RV Service Training Council and is recognized as a leading voice for industry education and customer satisfaction.
- Jerry W. Britton:
- an industry financial leader from Textron Financial in Alpharetta, Georgia. He has been active in the financing of RV and manufactured housing dealers for over 30 years. Today he provides floor plan financing for over 800 dealers and annually finances over $1 billion in industry products.
- R.C. "Dick" Moore:
- a manufactured housing retailer from Millington, TN. He is a charter member of the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Association and a member of the TMHA Hall of Fame. He is the publisher of the housing "Industry Perspective" newsletter and a mentor to other retailers and land-lease community oprators.
- Billy Sims:
- an RV retailer from Billy Sims Trailer Town in Lubbock, Texas. A long time RV retailer, he has served on the board of directors of the Texas RV Dealers Association and on the dealer councils for many manufacturers. He is actively involved with number of consumer organizations to further promote the growth of the industry.
- Paul Skogebo:
- an RV retailer from Robert Crist and Company of Mesa, Arizona. He is the founder and only President for over 10 years of REDEX an independent dealer buying group representing over 100 dealers. In addition to operating an RV dealership that is over 70 years old, he has founded multiple RV and manufactured housing parks.
- Tom Stinnett:
- an RV retailer from Tom Stinnett RV Freedom Center in Clarksville, Indiana. He has served as Chairman of the RVDA, Co-Chairman of the Go RVing Coalition, and Chairman of the Recreational Vehicle Assistance Corporation. He has built one of the country's larger RV dealerships and advertises "the world's largest infoor showroom".
- Ronald Thomas Sr.:
- a manufactured housing retailer and community operator from RONA Homes in Pataskala, Ohio. He is a past president and lifetime member of the Ohio Manufactured Housing Association board of directors. He serves as chairman of the Midwest Manufactured Housing Association and on the Louisville Show Committee.
- James P. Visser, Sr.:
- an industry publisher from "The Journal " a monthly periodical from Manchester, Georgia. He is a major promoter of industry trade shows and events via his publication and provides a forum for major organizations to communicate with the industry.
- Don Walter:
- an RV manufacturer from Starcraft RV in Topeka, Indiana. He is
a founding member and Co-Chairman of the Go RVing Coalition. He is a past chairman of the RV Indiana Committee and has served for over 20 years on the RVIA Public Relations committee. He has made a career ambition to introduce more Americans to the joys of the RV lifestyle.
- Jerry Wilson:(deceased)
- a housing manufacturer from Cavalier Homes in Addison, Alabama. One of the founders and past chairman of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Institute, he is recognized as a 30 year industry leader and mentor to others.
The class of 2007 will be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame on August 6, 2007, in conjunction with the Grand Opening celebration for the new 55,000 square foot hall of fame and museum on the north side of Elkhart. The RV/MH Hall of Fame was created in 1972 and has honored leaders, who have made a significant contribution to the growth of the industry, with induction into the hall each year for 35 years. 17
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