When asked to serve as chairman, Cole was hesitant, but said he would accept the position only if Darryl Searer, president of Hall, agreed to stay on as president. With that assurance Cole said, “I am honored and humbled by this opportunity and will dedicate myself to keeping the Hall moving forward in its quest for fina ncial independence and enhance the features and facilities at the Hall and Event Center.”
Cole will lead the Hall for the next two years.
In other action, the board elected Jay Hesse, president of Blue Ox, Pender, Nebraska, as vice chairman.
New board members elected include BJ Thompson, BJ Thompson Associates, Osceola, Indiana; Ron Younkin, Greenlawn Companies, Columbus, Ohio; Sherman Goldenberg, RV Business Magazine,Elkhart, Indiana, Raymond Pagett, Keystone/NTP Distribution, Atlanta, Georgia; and Joe Stegmayer, Cavco Industries, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.
There are two vacant positions on the board pending.
The remainder of the board of directors whose terms had not expired includes:
Ross Kinzler, Secretary, Wisconsin Housing Alliance, Madison, Wisconsin
Jerry Pickrell, Treasurer, retired from LaSalle-Bristol Corporation
Bob Fields, Aridian Technology Co, Nahant , Massachusetts
Jim Scoular, Jimsco, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Gary LaBella, Retired former Vice President RVIA
Darrell Boyd, Triad Financial, Paducah, Kentucky
Ron Wheeler, Wheeler Advertising, Arlington, Texas
Chris Barrett, Bennett Transport, McDonough, Georgia
John Evans, E & R Window Service, Redlands, California
Crosby Forrest, Dixie RV Supercenter, Newport News, Virginia
Leo Poggione, Craftsman Homes, Inc., Reno, Nevada
Bob Livingston, Good Sam Club, Ventura, California
Bill Garpow, Past Chairman, Retired RPTIA president
Darryl Searer, president, RV/MH Hall of Fame, said, “I think we have a strong board of directors who are passionate about and dedicated to the success of the Hall. I look forward to working with them as we face the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
New Board took office August 8, 2012.
