Arlington, Va., Oct. 18, 2002 – The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) held its 66th Annual Meeting Oct. 6-8 in Tucson, Ariz., drawing more than 375 industry representatives and spouses. The meeting featured keynote speakers and educational seminars, along with various industry task force, committee, council and division meetings. The MHI Board of Directors met to consider several association initiatives and approved the proposed 2003 MHI budget.

A highlight of the meeting was the election of a new leadership team. Dan Rolfes, president of Holiday Homes of Milford, Ohio, was elected as MHI Chairman, while Dennis Jones, president of R-Anell Housing Group of Denver, N.C., was elected MHI Vice Chairman. Kevin Clayton, president and CEO of Clayton Homes of Maryville, Tenn., was reelected as MHI Secretary, and Leonard Zych, executive vice president of Chase Manufactured Housing, was reelected as MHI Treasurer.

Special industry awards were presented during the meeting. Chuck MacKarvich, president of Tie-Down Engineering of Atlanta, Ga., received the Earl W. Swett Award for his contributions to advancing the professionalism of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (the HUD Code). In a special presentation, the Swett Award was renamed the “Frank Walter Award” in recognition of Frank Walter’s outstanding service and dedication to the manufactured housing industry over the past 23 years as MHI’s Vice President of Technical Activities. Walter is retiring at the end of October 2002.

Tim DeWitt, executive director of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association, was presented with the Jim Moore Communications Award for his ongoing efforts to improve the image of manufactured housing through the development of an “infomercial” which Is now being used by more than a dozen state manufactured housing associations.

Nancy Geer, executive director of the New York Manufactured Housing Association, was honored as the State Executive of the Year for her ongoing efforts in the legislative, regulatory and public relations arenas.

Ken Cashin, president of Florida Mobile Home Supply, was presented with the 2002 Chairman’s Award for his long-term dedication and commitment to advancing the manufactured housing industry.