Contact: Cheryl Hardee
703-558-0668

(Arlington, VA – April 15, 2009) Members of the manufactured and modular housing industries gathered today at an awards luncheon to recognize individuals and companies for outstanding achievements. The National Industry Awards, presented during the 2009 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing, recognized the highest achievers from all sectors of the manufactured and modular housing industries – communities, retailers, suppliers, lenders, manufacturers, developers and state associations.

“During a difficult economic downturn, not just for our industry, but for every corner of the American economy, we continue to see individuals and companies that are committed to providing more value, better products, creative solutions, and excellent customer service. These individuals and companies are being recognized today for their vision, their dedication, and their energy in enhancing and moving the manufactured and modular housing industries forward,” said MHI President Gail Cardwell.

The winners of the “Community of the Year” and “Retailer of the Year” categories submit entries that are judged by an independent panel of professionals made up of representatives from the planning, community development, lending, realtor and homebuilding professions. Awards are given in four regional areas of the country.

The “Community of the Year” entries were judged based on a written statement supplied by the entrant, community aesthetics, marketing materials, site plan of the community, community and industry involvement, and the lease and covenants. The independent panel of judges selected the following communities to receive awards:

LAND-LEASE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS

(Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Deep Run by Jensen Communities®, Cream Ridge, NJ

(South) – Countryside at Vero Beach, Vero Beach, FL

(Midwest) – Belle Villa Meadows, Belleville, MI

(West) – De Anza Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Additionally, an award was given for the “Best New Manufactured Home Subdivision in the United States.” The award winner for 2009 is:

Best New Subdivision in the United States – Hopkins Village, Truckee, CA

RETAIL SALES CENTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The “Retail Sales Center of the Year” award entries were judged based on an entry statement, management philosophy, retail center aesthetics, marketing materials and community and industry involvement. The independent panel of judges selected the following retailers:

(Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – The Home Show, Buckhannon, WV

(South) – Clayton Homes, Pearl, MS

(Midwest) – Crossland Homes, London, KY

(West) – Clayton Homes, Mesa, AZ

BEST NEW HOME DESIGN AWARDS

The following awards, bestowed by MHI and the National Modular Housing Council (NMHC), recognize excellence and encourage innovation in manufactured and modular home design and production. An independent panel of architects and building professionals judged the entries and the following received awards:

Manufactured Home Design

Manufactured Home Single-Section Production – Giles Industries “San Diego”

Manufactured Production Home 1,800 sq. ft. or Less – Giles Industries “South Fork”

Manufactured Production Home Over 1,800 sq. ft. – Palm Harbor Homes “La Linda”

Manufactured Home Single-Section Concept – Fleetwood Homes “Green Shed”

Concept Manufactured Home 1,800 sq. ft. or Less – Green Horizon Manufactured “Rapid Deployment Home”

Modular Design

Modular Home Production 2,200 sq. ft. or Less – Modular One “The Eastwood”

Modular Home Production Over 2,200 sq. ft. – R-Anell Housing “Forever Living 4855”

Concept Modular Home 2,200 sq. ft. or Less – Palm Harbor Homes “Calypso”

Concept Modular Home Over 2,200 sq. ft. – Fleetwood Homes “Banner Elk”

Concept Modular Multifamily – Haven Homes “The Alcott”

NATIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS

Every year industry leaders vote for the individuals and companies that are considered the best in their class. This year’s winners have shown great leadership and commitment to the industry over the last year. These award winners have been chosen by their peers to be honored with the prestigious 2009 manufactured housing industry awards.

Industry Person of the Year – Michael R. Bowen, American Modern Insurance Group, Cincannati, OH

Manufacturer of the Year – Skyline Corporation, Elkhart, IN

Floor Plan Lender of the Year – GE Capital Solutions, Atlanta, GA

Manufactured Home Community Operator of the Year – Green Courte Partners, LLC, Lake Forest, IL

Manufactured Home Community Lender of the Year – Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage, Carlsbad, Calif.

Manufactured Home Community Broker of the Year – Security Mortgage Group, Rochester, NY

Manufactured Home Community Service/Supplier of the Year – Crown Appraisal Group, Columbus, OH

National Communities Council Person of the Year – Christine Lindsey, UMH Properties, Inc., Memphis, TN

National Lender of the Year – Triad Financial Services, Inc., Jacksonville, FL

Regional Lender of the Year – CIS Financial Services Inc., Hamilton, AL

Retail Person of the Year – Leo Poggione, Craftsman Homes, Reno, NV

State Association Executive of the Year – Jess Maxcy, California Manufactured Housing Institute, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Supplier Person of the Year – John Evans, Drew Industries, Fontana, CA

For information about entering the 2010 National Industry Awards competition or about this year’s awards, contact Cheryl Hardee at 703-558-0668 or via e-mail at cheryl@mfghome.org.

MHI is the national trade organization representing all segments of the manufactured and modular housing industries including manufacturers, retailers, community owners, suppliers, financial institutions, state associations and developers.


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