ELKHART, Ind., August 5. 2014 — The Class of 2014 was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) last night in Elkhart, Indiana, in a gala ceremony before a record breaking crowd of more than 440 family members, friends, and colleagues from across the country.
(Back row l-r) Thomas “Tom” L. Kern, Style Crest Enterprises; Ed Evans, EPM; Gary McDaniel, YES! Communities ; Richard “Dick” King, King Insurance (second row row l-r) Barry Cole, Manufactured Housing Insurance Services; Bob Livingston, Good Sam; John D Roba, Roba and Associates (front row l-r) Mrs. James F Shields. accepting on behalf of her husband,James F Shields (deceased), Pan Pacific RV Centers; Debbie Brunoforte, Little Dealer, Little Prices and Peter B Orthwein, Thor Industries.
The Class of 2014 includes: Debbie Brunoforte, Little Dealer, Little Prices; Bob Livingston, Good Sam; Peter B Orthwein, Thor Industries; John D Roba, Roba and Associates; James F Shields (deceased), Pan Pacific RV Centers; Barry Cole, Manufactured Housing Insurance Services; Ed Evans, EPM; Thomas “Tom” L. Kern, Style Crest Enterprises; Richard “Dick” King, King Insurance; and Gary McDaniel, YES! Communities
(Editors: see more expanded bios below)
This year’s attendance of 444 set a new record, beating the previous record of 434 attendees and far outpaced the 2013 attendance of 311. It was also a record breaking year for fundraising at the dinner and golf outing.
Before the induction ceremonies, Hall President Darryl Searer, said in his “State of the Hall” address, “Last year after my first year as president I reported to you that the Hall was in the best shape it had ever been. Tonight, the news is even better. It is my pleasure to report to you this year that the Hall of Fame has continued its upward trend of improving in all areas of the operation.
“As some of you may remember the day before we burned the bank note last year we sent the Woodworths a check in the amount of $600,000 which settled the Hall debt in full with them for the Woodworth antique RV collection, but it became a $600,000 note at the bank. I am pleased to announce that we not only paid the interest all year but paid an additional $100,000 towards the principle.”
Searer also noted that the record-breaking fundraiser for the induction dinner and golf outing would generate another $50,000 once all the bills have been paid for these events. In thanking all those who contributed, he said these funds also would be used to pay down debt.
Barry Cole, board chairman and master of ceremonies, presented the annual Hall of Fame Spirit Award to Searer. The Spirit Award is an annual award to honor the person who has demonstrated his or her desire and dedication to further the legacy of our great heritage.
Expanded Bios of Inductees:
Debbie Brunoforte, Little Dealer, Little Prices
As a second generation RV retailer, she has provided exemplary leadership to the industry both regionally and nationally. She has won customer satisfaction awards from every manufacturer she represented. Serving many years on the RVDA board of directors, she was chairman in 2009 and 2010. As an active member of the GoRVing Coalition, she chaired the GoRVing Parts Task Force from 2005 to 2008. She serves on the governing board of the joint RVDA-RVIA Technician Certification program. She received the RVDA Chairman’s Service Award in 2006 and in 2008. She was a founding member of the Arizona RV Dealers Association. She was selected as one of RV Business Magazine’s 100 most influential people in RV history.
Barry Cole, Manufactured Housing Insurance Services
A founding member of the California Manufactured Housing Institute, he has served continuously on its board since 1988 including 4 years as chairman. Serving the industry as a retailer, manufacturer, community owner and service provider, he is the only member to have served on the MHI Board of Governors representing 3 different industry divisions. He is a recipient of the Jack E. Wells Award from CMHI and the Retailer of the Year Award from California Mobile Home Park Owners Alliance. He has also served as chairman of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation.
Ed Evans, EPM
In a career beginning in 1969 he has developed and managed 10 manufactured housing communities and one RV resort. As an industry activist he has served 10 years on the board of Western Manufactured Housing Community Owners Association including as president in 1979 and 1980. He was on the committee which led to the formation of the California Manufactured Housing Institute. He was the founding president of the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust that protects the interests of over 200 community owners representing over 600 parks in Southern California. He received CMHI’s Jack E. Wells award in 1990. He was instrumental in securing rights for 14 wide home movements in California.
Thomas Kern, Style Crest Enterprises
For over 40 years he has been a respected supplier of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning products and foundation components for the manufactured housing industry. He was the National Supplier of the Year for MHI in 1996 and 1998 and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. In 2000, he was the MHI Person of the Year. In 2001 he was recognized as Supplier of the Year by the Journal for Manufactured Housing Professionals. Serving the industry with products from steps to transportation services he has enhanced the industry and the lives of home owners. His company has contributed all HVAC services for the Hall of Fame facility.
Richard King, King Insurance
A 50 year veteran of the finance and insurance industry relating to manufactured housing and RVs, he has served MH and RV dealer and community operators in 12 states. He has been a key leader in assuring that insurance services evolve to meet the needs of the evolving RV and Manufactured Housing industries. He serves industry businesses in 14 states and has served on advisory boards of several insurance companies. He was awarded the Kansas MHA “Man of the Year” award. He is widely recognized for his ability to anticipate future trends and to promote programs to meet a changing industry.
Bob Livingston, Good Sam
A 43 year veteran of RV publications, he has written popular columns on RV technical topics for over 20 years. He created and produced a popular RV cable television show, “RVToday”, and played a major role in the creation of the Great American RV Rally. He served on the National Fire Protection Association technical committee on RVs. He is the author of the respected Trailer Life RV Maintenance and Repair Manual. He serves on the RVIA Standards Committee and on the Go RVing coalition. In 2003, he was recognized with the RVIA Distinguished Service in Journalism Award. He has helped legions of RVers to have a more enjoyable experience.388
Gary McDaniel, YES! Communities
A 40 year veteran of manufactured housing real estate development, he has led the development of tens of thousands of family home sites in communities from coast to coast. Active in many state and national manufactured housing associations, he was named “Industry Person of the Year” by the National Manufactured Housing Industry Association in 2001 and was Chairman of the Manufactured Housing Institute from 2000 to 2002. He currently manages 118 communities in 17 states. His formation of the YES! We Care Charity has provided a much needed lifeline of manpower and funding for communities involved in tornados and other disasters.
