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| September 2001 | Volume 27 - Number 2 | |
Cover Story Sidebar | ||
RV / MH Hall of Fame |
DAN HOLT RV NEWS ARIZONA
Dan Holt, founder and publisher of RV News magazine and co-founder and CEO of Web Site Management, Inc. (RV America On Line®), is among a group of twelve inductees in the Class of 2001 Hall of Fame. The ceremonies took place in August at the annual induction dinner in Elkhart, IN. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a service of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation. Holt was selected for the honor based on his over 25 years of service to the RV industry and using RV News as a platform to influence the industry's direction as well as innovate through visionary thinking. He founded the industry's first aftermarket-only trade show and assured that it would foster continuing education by promoting extensive use of seminars. That show is now the annual RVDA Expo. He recognized the importance of trained RV technicians and founded the first magazine expressly for them - The Professional RV Technician. His latest visionary endeavor, RV America On Line (www.rvamerica.com) now hosts over 200 RV industry web sites through this portal web site and attracts more than 500,000 unique visitors every month. In addition to Holt, the 2001 Hall of Fame Class of 2001 includes: T. M. BURLINGAME
He has spent over 35 years developing and introducing products to the manufactured housing industry. He was instrume ntal in bringing high efficiency heating and cooling appliances to the industry. He was a leader in the acceptance of fiberglass ducting systems. He developed the Blend Air System to reduce condensation problems in modern homes. He has been an active member of 7 state manufactured housing associations and has been very active in coordinating the procurement of industry materials for disaster relief. WILLIAM L. EHRLE
A twenty-three year leader of his association, he is recognized as a consensus builder, and a brilliant legal and legislative strategist. He helped to develop the National Manufactured Housing Federation and was instrumental in merging it into the Manufactured Housing Institute. As a three term state legislator, he has helped to develop manufactured housing bills both national and for many state associations. He is a recognized lobbyist in his state and on capitol hill. CLYDE GRAMBSCH
A pioneer manufacturer, he was a charter member of RVI RVIA and served many years on its Board of Directors. He was instrumental in the creation of the fall Louisville RV Show by getting the national show moved from March to late fall to showcase new models. He was a key leader in promoting the merger of the MHMA travel trailer division into RVI and led the RVI sponsored caravan to Montreal Expo 67. His trailers were the first to offer inside/outside swing out kitchens and an electrically raised hard roof. CURT HAMES
Always a politically active retailer, he has been responsible for laws allowing Sunday home sales, 14-foot wide home movement, tie down standards and requirements, and a landlord tenant relations law recognized as fair to all parties. He worked to get zoning laws that allow manufactured homes placed on private property and to eliminate sales tax on pre-owned homes . CHARLES MEREDITH
A 50 year housing and RV industry veteran, he is a founding member of Kentucky MHA and was its first President and its representative to the Federated States Association. He is a founding member and Past Chairman of RVI. He helped the Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation bring the annual Manufactured Housing Show to Louisville and successfully lobbied to get parking fees waived for all housing show participants. VIRGIL MILLER
Beginning his career in 1958, he has become widely recognized as the RV industry's voice of reason, he has served two terms as the Indiana association's RV Council Chairman. He has many years on the RVIA Board of Directors as Chairman of the Safety and Education Committee and on the Public and Legislative Affairs Committee. He is a tireless promoter of the RV Industry and its products.
JIM MOORE
A twenty five-year state asso ciation executive, he developed both the Pennsylvania manufactured housing and RV shows to become nationally recognized industry showcases. He helped to develop HUD code installation procedures and is recognized as having been a mentor to state association leaders nation wide.
JOE and KAY PETERSON
Owner/developers of 18 RV parks in eleven states, they are widely recognized consumer educational seminar speakers at RV events. They have authored numerous self-help books on the RV life-style. For over twenty years they have developed the Escapees RV club, mail and message forwarding service, and coordinating medical insurance.
BILL PIERCE
A 28 year member of the Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Association he served four separate terms as its President. He developed a key public service campaign to promote manufactured housing in his state and was a leader in the effort to eliminate zoning restrictions on manufactured homes statewide. Both his RV and MH dealerships have won many awards for sales and appearance.
JOHN RITZENTHALER
A true pioneer, he began his career delivering units
behind his own auto in the 1940s. As an early manufacturer, he used fiberglass fronts on
his units as early as 1957. He was one of the early doublewide home manufacturers and one
of the first to build regional manufacturing facilities to build specific designs for
regional needs and codes. |
