Dick Ernst, president of Financial Marketing Associates, received the MHI Chairman’s Award from MHI Chairman Nathan Smith. A longtime member of the MHI Board of Directors, he has served as treasurer of the organization’s Executive Committee for two terms, is past chairman of MHI’s Government Relations Committee, and in 1998 served as interim president during the search for a new president. Serving on MHI’s Dodd-Frank Act task force, he has met with Congress and CFPB regulators on numerous occasions, and has helped retailers and communities interpret the complexities of the CFPB regulations as they impact MH sales.
Beginning his manufactured housing industry career in 1972, Terry Dullaghan, Director of National Sales at Senco Brands, Inc., received the Frank Walter Standards Award for his dedication to advancing the professionalism of the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, and for his long time contributions to the MH industry as a whole. An active member of MHI since 1990, Dullaghan’s company was the corporate sponsor of Miss America 2000, and he has been involved in research for energy efficient home designs.
Andy Gallagher, Executive Director of the West Virginia Housing Institute, Inc., received the State Association Executive of the Year honor, chosen by other MH state association executives for his networking, sharing information and active participation in industry events. He created a simple, four-page quick reference brochure for dealing with the Dodd-Frank Act that became a national template, helping sales centers deal with the complexities of the measure. Gallagher was instrumental in the passage of state legislation that provided an exemption from the SAFE Act for an individual who sold no more than three manufactured homes, so they would not be classified as a mortgage originator.
Mary Gaiski, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association (PMHA), received the Jim Moore Excellence in Communications Award. Presented by the Manufactured Housing Executives Council (MEHC), Gaiski worked with Jim Moore–for whom the honor is named–for many years, and identified him as a mentor. She has been a tireless promoter of the industry, knowledgeable of its history, and specifically savvy in dealing with transportation issues, especially since the state is a vital link to homes headed for the northeast. Appointed by the state’s governor, Gaiski served as Secretary/Treasurer of Pennsylvania’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.
MHProNews sends hearty congratulations to these four outstanding industry activists. ##
(Image credit: Manufactured Housing Institute)
