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Don Magary, publisher of RV News and president of Web Site Management, is among ten new inductees into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in the Class of 2008. The selections we announced by the RV/MH Hall of Fame board of directors in February.
Magary is probably best remembered for his passionate editorials in RV News from the mid-1980s through 2000, where he served as editor from 1986 though 2000. In 2000 he stepped down focus full time on Web Site Management, the company he and Dan Holt, founder of RV News, founded in 1995 to bring the Internet to RV industry companies.
Sometimes controversial, always thought provoking, Magary’s opinion pieces faced head on the burning issues of the day, everything from the great need for a market expansion program to companies that were pirating the designs other company’s products.
It had always been RV News’ philosophy that when the magazine took a stand on any issue, it would be based on “What’s good for the entire RV industry-and ultimately the RV consumer” and that became Magary’s mantra.
While Magary’s editorial brought him notoriety, he’s real forte was the monthly feature articles about RV industry companies and people. Magary’s philosophy was that he was the catalyst in helping people tell their own stories, but his innate curiosity and interviewing techniques always brought out the best from the subjects of articles. And even when the subject was a company or organization, he always focused on people, believing that people do business with other people, not necessarily just companies.
Along the way, Magary worked for and supported various industry associations and also helped pioneer the Internet as a viable business opportunity for RV industry companies. He has been an educator on industry issues, evangelist for industry-related causes, entrepreneur and visionary.
In 1995 when the commercial availability of the Internet was just budding, Magary studied the Internet and decided there had to be a better way for RV industry companies to reap the rewards of this new technology. After considering many possibilities Magary decided that if there were a central location with many resources for the RV consumer that they would flock to the site again and again. And if consumers were coming, it only naturally followed that RV industry companies would need a presence on the site as well.
In 1995, Magary and Holt set up a new company, Web Site Management, Inc., and Magary started to work on building a web site – RV America On Line (rvamerica.com).
Magary’s original idea proved correct. RV consumers started coming to RV America by the thousands and eventually by the millions.
In 2005, Magary and Holt sold RV America to Trader Publishing and Magary bought RV News from Holt who retired.
Magary will be formally inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in August at gala dinner and ceremony at new RV/MH Hall of Fame, Museum, Library and Conference Center in Elkhart, Indiana.
Other inductees in the Class of 2008 include:
RV Industry Inductees:
Donald W. Wallace, an RV retailer from Lazy Days RV Center in Seffner, Florida.
He is recognized for building the nation’s largest RV dealership and for his years of dedicated support to the Florida RV Supershow, the Go RVing campaign, and many other RVDA and RVIA events for over 30 years.
Darryl Searer, an industry supplier from Ultra-Fab Products in Elkhart, Indiana. A long time promoter of the RV industry he has served over 20 years on the RVIA Public Relations Committee, as President of the RV Aftermarket Association, member of the Go RVing Coalition and board member of the RV/MH Hall of Fame
Wade F.B. Thompson, an RV manufacturer from Thor Industries in Jackson Center, Ohio. He is the founder and Chairman of Thor Industries having built his company into America’s largest RV and small bus manufacturer with divisions in the US and Canada. He is a strong supporter of industry training and educational programs.
Wilbur Bontrager, an RV manufacturer from Jayco in Middlebury, Indiana. An RVIA board member and Past Chairman, also serving on the Standards and Legislative Affairs committees, he is recognized as a key leader in the development and implementation of programs to promote the RV industry. His company is recognized for its attention to quality and integrity with its dealers , consumers, and employees.
Manufactured Housing Industry Inductees:
Gordon Collins, a housing and RV manufacturer from Fleetwood Industries in Riverside California. For over 50 years he has been an active promoter of the manufactured housing industry in the US and Canada. He has served as an owner and as a national sales manager for housing manufacturers and as a successful retailer, always maintaining a high level of activity with industry associations. He continues to travel the country as an ambassador for the housing industry and a communication link between many of the industry pioneers.
Edward Hussey, Jr, a housing manufacturer from Liberty Homes in Goshen, Indiana. A champion of legislation supporting the housing industry he has led the campaigns to update the HUD code and was the key leader of the effort which passed the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. A long time board member and now Chairman of MHARR he is active on many state and national associations.
The late William Kormeier, an industry supplier from Nordyne in O’Fallon, Missouri.
A long time champion for the manufactured housing industry, he has worked with numerous manufacturers to develop and promote a great many HVAC products to enhance the comfort and livability of affordable housing.
The late William H. Turney, an association executive from the Florida Manufactured Housing Association in Tallahassee, Florida. He is recognized as a dynamic leader as a housing retailer, association officer, Florida’s representative on the National Manufactured Housing Federation, and Assistant Executive Director of the Florida MH Association.
Frank Walter, an association executive from the Manufactured Housing Institute in Arlington, Virgina. A 25 year Vice President of Technical Activities for the manufactured housing industry he is recognized of his leadership of engineering, design and construction issues in the industry.
These industry leaders join over 300 previous inductees installed in the 35 years that the RV/MH Hall of Fame. 28
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