2010 Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Annual Awards Presented in Denver, CO

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

Among the many highlights of this year's 74^th Annual meeting of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) in Denver, C) Sept 24-26^th was the presentation of the annual awards. With close to 100 people signed up and/or in attendance for the meetings, this aspect of the meeting was a celebration of the good efforts on the part of these award winners and officers that can serve to inspire others.

The awards presentation was enjoyable, and the introductory statements and acceptance statements were all well done. We at MHMSM.com invite those who participated in introducing or giving an acceptance statement to share those prepared remarks with us, so we could do a separate write up using those fine comments at a future date.

The Frank Walter Standards Award

Let's start with Emmanuel Levy presenting Bill Farish, Director of Engineering – Commercial Structures for Clayton Homes – who was honored with the Frank Walter Standards Award.

The Frank Walter Standards Awards recognizes individuals who have made vital contributions to the development of codes and standards for the manufactured housing industry. Codes and standards are important for ensuring that our Industry's homes are built to the highest level of quality and safety for our customers.

Bill Farish has reportedly worked in the manufactured housing industry for 33 years. He is a registered professional engineer in 30 states and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Farish earned his Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Farish was a founding member of the HUD Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee that was formed as a result of the passage of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA 2000).

Bill is a past chairman of the MHI Technical Activities Committee. He currently provides his leadership as chairman of the Systems Building Research Alliance. These activities require service to the industry beyond professional work schedules.

Farish has received several of MHI's highest honors in the past, including the MHI Chairman's Award in 2003.

Bill Farish, P.E. (left) receiving the Frank Walter Standards Award from Emanuel Levy (right). (All four of these photos are courtesy of Ann Parman at MHI.)

Jim Moore Excellence in Communications Award

Mark Dillard is the Executive Director of the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina. He is a long-time state association executive who is well respected for his communication skills and innovative ideas. His state association produces a magazine that has been described by MHI as "lively, colorful and attractive."

The South Carolina association's approach is founded on the belief that the industry benefits when everyone at all levels is well-informed. With this in mind, news, photos, insight articles and more are produced by the MHI of SC staff and focus specifically on their state.

With Mark Dillard's leadership, his state association's website is a useful tool for their members. One feature noted during the awards ceremony was the fact that the online membership directory is updated weekly, giving MHI of SC members the latest information on data changes, new companies and new employees in the industry.

State Association Executive of the Year

Jim Ayotte, Executive Director of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, was selected by his peers as the State Association Executive of the Year for 2010. Ayotte has had national leadership experience as well as serving his state in a tireless goal-and-solution-oriented fashion.

Having personally seen some of the materials that Jim Ayotte and the FMHA have developed for their members, and listening to the reports about his efforts on behalf of his members, it is understandable why this selection was made. Jim's thoughtful words and actions are those of a dedicated leader.

MHI had this to say about Ayotte:

"He attacks industry issues effectively through understanding the situation, setting goals for the industry, developing a plan, educating others, obtaining buy-in, and executing with confidence. Inherent in this process is gathering good information and having honest communication. This process has allowed Jim Ayotte to build relationships within and outside the industry.

"The most challenging issue of the year was legislation adverse to community owners which would have reduced the value of every manufactured housing community in the state. The association worked cooperatively with the statewide homeowners association to advocate a moderate legislative proposal."

In these days of budget cuts, Jim Ayotte made vital decisions to reduce association expenses while maintaining key programs and services for FMHA members. The result is a more focused FMHA, one that fully funds programs and services to educate and attract new homebuyers and residents.

Jim Ayotte (l) (State Association Executive of the Year Award) and Mark Dillard (r) (Jim Moore Excellence in Communications Award)

The Chairman's Award

The next photo is of Thayer Long, Don Glisson Jr. and Ken Cashin, after Don Glisson, Jr., Triad Financial Services, Inc., was awarded the prestigious MHI Chairman's Award. The Chairman's Award is presented by the MHI Chairman in recognition of outstanding contributions to the organization and industry as a whole.

Over the past two years, Glisson spent long hours working with the MHI leaders and staff making important decisions to ensure that the national association would stay on track financially to best serve its members. This effort was underscored in a committee meeting that reflected the current financial health of MHI, much of which was attributed to the leadership and efforts of Glisson.

Further, Don Glisson, Jr. and his team provided important loan performance information to HUD and the Ginnie Mae staff as the industry has worked to achieve full implementation of the FHA Title I reforms authorized by Congress in 2008. Given the critical role that finance play in our industry, the value of his time and professional expertise can not be understated.

Don is currently the Vice-Chairman of MHI, serving on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Thayer Long (l), Don Glisson, Jr. (c), of Triad Financial Services, Inc. and outgoing MHI Chairman Ken Cashin (r) after Don Glisson, Jr. received the 2010 MHI Chairman's Award

Recognition of Ken Cashin's Service as MHI Chairman

The final photo is of Thayer Long, incoming Chairman Joe Stegmayer and immediate past MHI Chairman Ken Cashin. Having watched Cashin in action in Washington and Denver, it is easy to see why MHI would want to honor him for his leadership on behalf of the national association.

These were some the words that Thayer Long used to describe Cashin:

"On behalf of MHI, we thank Ken Cashin for his strong leadership, dedication and countless hours of hard work as the leader of the association during these challenging times for the industry."

Thayer Long (l), Joe Stegmayer (c) and Ken Cashin (r) of Windstorm Holdings, Inc., receiving recognition for his term as Chairman of MHI in 2009 and 2010. Ken will continue to serve the Executive Committee in his role as Immediate Past Chairman.

We wish to join our fellow MHI members in congratulating these award winners, and in thanking all those past and present, who serve the Industry in key roles like theirs. All sound association and corporate leadership deserves special recognition in these challenging times.

The following were elected to serve as MHI Officers in 2011:

• Chairman, Joe Stegmayer, Cavco Industries, Inc./Fleetwood Homes
• Vice Chairman, Don Glisson, Jr., Triad Financial Services, Inc.
• Secretary, Kevin Clayton, Clayton Homes, and
• Treasurer, Nathan Smith, SSK Communities.

Ken Cashin, Windstorm Holdings, Inc., will serve as Immediate Past Chairman.

"With a high level of experience and dedication, the 2011 officers, led by longtime industry leader Joe Stegmayer, will continue to provide strong direction for this industry and help guide us in pursuing our top legislative and regulatory priorities in the coming year," said Thayer Long. # #

L.A. 'Tony' Kovach is Publisher and Marketing Director of MH Marketing Sales Management (www.MHMSM.com) – Innovation – Information – Inspiration for Industry Professionals – and does contract marketing, sales and management, turn around and growth services for MH industry professionals and companies. See his LinkedIn profile at: linkedin.com/in/latonykovach; call Tony at 847-730-3692 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .