In a gala ceremony attended by nearly 350 guests and inductees, the Class of 2015 was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana, Monday, night, August 3, 2015. Before the ceremonies began, Hall President Darryl Searer addressed the gathering: “I am extremely happy to report to you that your Hall has continued to improve financially for the third straight year and is now in the best shape it has ever been. It also is my pleasure to report to you that this year the Hall of Fame has continued its upward trend of improving its overall operations.”
Searer also reported that the $5.5 million debt from three years ago has been reduced to $1.5 million, in large part due to the MH Industry Debt Elimination Campaign begun by Kevin Clayton of Clayton Homes as well as the RV Debt Elimination Campaign. Each campaign is committed to raising $1 million. To date, the MH sector has raised over $570,000 while the RV campaign is just shy of $100,000.
Furthermore, of the $600,000 the Hall borrowed two years ago to acquire David Woodworth’s antique RV collection, only $75,000 remains to be paid.
The Class of 2015 includes: Bert V. Alanko, MBA Insurance; Patrica A. Fiederer, Latham Oneota Homes; Sherman Goldenberg, RV Business Magazine; Paul E. Hanser, HWH Corporation; Jerry W. James, Franklin Homes, Inc.; Joe Kelly, Iowa Mfg Housing Association; Richard A. Mendlen, Manufactured Housing: Marlene A. Sine, Marlene Sine & Associates, Inc.; Bill Thomas, and Bill Thomas Camper Sales; Robert West, Affordable Community Living.
In addition to the inductees, Don Magary, Hall of Fame member and publisher of RV News, was awarded the 2015 Spirit Award for his dedication to the RV/MH legacy.
Don Magary receives the Spirit Award from Hall President Darryl Searer. ##
