RV/MH Hall of Fame Celebrates Inductees

Surrounded by more than 300 family, friends, and colleagues from across the country, the Class of 2012 was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) at a gala ceremony last week in Elkhart, Indiana.

Barry Cole (Manufactured Housing Insurance Services), chairman of the board of directors for the Hall, said, "What a joyous occasion with all past legends and present leaders of our great industries to honor the ten new inductees. There is no industry function that can equal the emotional feeling and happiness when mingling and networking with so many greatest of the great."

Cole believed it was an incredible evening supported by both RV and Manufactured Housing segments.  

Inductees and family members accepting on behalf of deceased inductees include: First Row (L-R): Doug Gorman, 

Stan Sunshine, Gerald "Jiggs" Meuret, Kaki Williamson, Jeanne Mize, Rachel Gandy, Mary Irene Younkin, 

Michael Evans. Second Row: Bob Olson, Kent Titcomb, Allan Yoder, Gail Yoder and Holly Yoder.

"The cocktail party was fun, the huge group picture with all attending was charming, the dinner as always was incredible and best of all was the touring of the RV/MH Hall of Fame itself." Cole continued. "Wandering through the exhibits, theater, library and museum surprised some new guests. They were shocked at the unbelievable greatness and beauty of the building plus discovering their heritage for the first time. All comments from everyone referencing the Hall were in superlatives."

"Some of the many MH veterans who mingled and networked during the cocktail hour were Ron Younkin, Jeff Wicke, Dan Rolfes, Tim Williams, L. A. 'Tony' Kovach, Ken Rishel and George Allen." 

"At dinner Dick Jennison (MHI) was sitting with a contingency of MH professionals Jim Scoular, John Evans, Leo Poggione, Darrell Boyd, Chris Barrett and John Loucks. Ross Kinzler was sitting with Jigs Meuret and Danny Gorbani (MHARR) sitting with Doug and Millie Gorman. These are a few of the enormous number of MH attendees."

"These are a few of the enormous number of MH attendees."

 

Keynote speaker David Humphreys (left). Darryl Searer (right) delivers good news concerning the financial health of the Hall

Keynote Speaker David Humphreys, former president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association said, "The Hall of Fame serves many purposes for the industry. 

Besides providing a great consumer attraction, the Hall of Fame defines an important message for the financial community, the media and legislators and gives a sense of pride, unity and accomplishment for the entire industry."

Noting the solid financial footing the Hall of Fame has achieved through the leadership of President Darryl Searer, Humphreys urged audience members to give the same priority to the Hall of Fame they give to industry unity."

In a behind-the-scenes look at the financial status of the Hall and its recovery from near insolvency just a few months ago, Searer declared, "The Hall of Fame has never been in better shape than it is today."

Overall debt owed by the Hall has been cut by $2.5 million in the four months since Searer assumed the Hall presidency.

Cole added, "It was a special evening you just did not want to end. You are invited next year."##

Barry Cole, Chairman, RV/MH Hall of Fame