Arlington, Va., Oct. 25, 2004 - The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) held its 68th Annual Meeting Oct. 17-19 in Indian Wells, Calif., drawing approximately 320 industry representatives and spouses. The meeting featured several speakers and presentations, 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 MHI budget for 2005.

A highlight of the meeting was the election of a new leadership team. Dennis Jones, president and CEO of R-Anell Housing Group, was elected Chairman of the Board for 2005. Barry McCabe, president of Hometown America, was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board, while Kevin Clayton, president and CEO of Clayton Homes, was elected to serve as MHI Secretary. Ken Cashin, president of Florida Mobile Home Supply, was elected as MHI Treasurer.
Special industry awards were also presented during the meeting

Marty Lavin of Mobile Home Lending Corp. was honored with the special Totaro Award in recognition of his dedicated commitment to MHI's Financial Services Division. The Totaro Award, named in honor of Richard Totaro for his outstanding contributions to the financial services area of the manufactured housing industry, was presented to Lavin for his insight, commitment and determination in reestablishing industry credibility with Wall Street analysts and the investment community through forward-looking initiatives and programs, as well as for his steady, long-term leadership of MHI's Financial Services Division during tumultuous times for the industry.

The Frank Walter Standards Award was presented to Richard M. Reinhard, P.E., of PFS Corp. for his dedicated service and advancement of the professionalism of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, better known as the HUD-Code. With more than thirty years of experience working for the manufactured housing industry, Reinhard was part of the team that developed the original HUD Code. Over the years, Reinhard has been instrumental in helping the manufactured home industry comply with the provisions of the HUD Code, as well as a leader in the industry's efforts to modernize the design and construction of today's manufactured homes.

The Jim Moore Excellence in Communications Award was presented to the Florida Manufactured Housing Association for its outstanding communications and public relations efforts during the recent rash of hurricanes to strike Florida. Through its aggressive and proactive approach to communicating the news about manufactured housing during the storms' devastation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association turned critics into believers and highlighted how manufactured homes built to strengthened HUD-Code standards and installed to Florida's enhanced installation standards had performed well during the devastating winds of four hurricanes

Bonita Hamm, executive director of the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Association, was honored as the State Association Executive of the Year for her leadership and accomplishments in 2004. With a string of legislative and regulatory victories under her belt, including establishing a new licensing and inspection law in her state, she then established and organized 18 15-hour installation courses during the past year that attracted over 1100 industry participants. Hamm also organized and implemented a non-profit charitable organization to assist disadvantaged manufactured home owners with repairs and home replacements.

Outgoing MHI Chairman Dan Rolfes, president of Holiday Homes, Inc./Holiday Parks, presented the coveted Chairman's Award to MHI President Chris Stinebert for his energetic and dedicated "behind the scenes" work on key industry issues. Rolfes also noted that Stinebert is tireless in his efforts promoting and advancing the industries to diverse audiences, ranging from media interviews to working with key industry regulators and legislators.

Incoming MHI Chairman Dennis Jones, president and CEO of R-Anell Housing Group, presented Rolfes with a small token of the association's appreciation for Rolfes' enthusiasm and dedicated service as MHI Chairman and Vice Chairman over the past four years. "Dan's energy and enthusiastic support for both the manufactured and modular housing industries has infused his term as chairman and vice chairman with a dynamic quality at the very time when the industries really needed it. He's a hard act to follow and his contributions are greatly appreciated."