Over the years, I've had the opportunity to sell and or manage the sales of manufactured homes from a variety of factory builders. Included among those HUD Code Manufactured Home builders was Liberty Homes. I found Liberty to be a fine representation of what quality manufactured home producers can accomplish. So it is with a sincere sense of connection, respect and loss that we pause to recall the passing of Edward J. Hussey, Sr on February 7, 2013.
We have a link to the funeral information and some history on Mr. Ed Hussey Sr. here.
Years before we launched MHProNews.com, the Manufactured Home Merchandiser Magazine was one of my favorite reads and later a publication I contributed articles of my own to for publication. Liberty Homes held the back cover of the Merchandiser for many years. This is but one of many ways that the Hussey Family and Liberty Homes supported the Industry in positive ways.
Understanding the connection between a sponsor/advertiser and a publication, I was and am grateful to what Liberty Homes and the Hussey Family did to support the Merchandiser.
May the legendary RV/MH Hall of Fame inductee – Edward J. Hussey, Sr. – rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to all who are touched by his loss.
The Next Generation
There are many times we hear that our industry is graying.
No doubt, there are a growing number of gray hairs here (literally…) and there in our business. But there is also a new generation that is quietly rising up. There are MH retailers, communities, builders, vendors, lenders and suppliers of all types that have youthful faces bringing a spring in their step and new vitality to our industry.
What is – to various degrees – lacking is inserting more of those young up-and-comers with the visionary and seasoned pros for the benefit of all involved.
One of our clients are starting a new class of trainees, that includes some youthful, energetic and professional faces. We also attract for them the more 'seasoned citizens' who can be quiet adept at taking past successes and translating those into future ones in the manufactured housing industry. I enjoy working with all, for each brings something unique into the mix and it is always nice to have both in training at the same time.
When I was getting my feet wet in manufactured housing, only one of the companies I worked for had the vision to bring me along to a trade show. I vividly recall how amazing it was to see dozens and dozens of brand new manufactured homes, to talk to the exhibitors and to converse with those who had more experience than I then did. When I later had my own retail center, I brought some of the better team members to experience the kinds of shows that companies like Liberty Homes and so many others made possible.
However much hair or whatever the color it may be, there are too many reasons to list to attend business building events such as March's upcoming 2013 Tunica Manufactured Housing Show.
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There are networking opportunities to meet the living legends, shake their hands, talk to and learn from them.
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There are products on display at Tunica, some 80 homes – including land lease “Community Series Homes” (CSH) – that you may not see at any other event for the balance of this year.
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There are business building seminars that will show you the latest in financing options, marketing, sales and profitable systems to grow your business.
One of the companies represented at Tunica's Show is First Guarantee Mortgage. Please check out our exclusive A Cup of Coffee with…Andrew Peters interview this month, along with more than a dozen other business building and protecting articles featured on our home page and linked here. Peters' column has insights in the financing realm that I think every manufactured housing pro needs to consider.
As we experience a loss like that of Edward J. Hussey Sr, we must remember those like him who have gone before us. We must also consider how we plan our future, how we develop the future of professionals of all ages, sizes and types. We must think about the kind of legacy we personally want to leave.
When we learn from each other and grow from each other's experiences, we can build the foundation for an ever brighter future. When we do so, someday, we too may be remembered in terms that would honor those legends who came before us and upon whose shoulders we strive to stand. ##
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for February and see the
other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too.
L. A. "Tony" Kovach
MHLivingNews.com=Re-Discovering and Spotlighting the MHLifeStyle
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latonyk@gmail.com or tony@mhmsm.com
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