Top Industry Leaders Honored at 2003 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing

(Arlington, VA – April 23, 2003) Members of the manufactured housing industry gathered today at an awards luncheon to recognize individuals and companies for their vision, dedication and extraordinary achievements. The National Industry Awards, presented during the 2003 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing, recognizes the highest achievers from all sectors of the manufactured housing industry – communities, retailers, suppliers, lenders, manufacturers, developers and state associations.

“These exceptional role models have been honored for their significant contributions and extraordinary dedication to the manufactured housing industry. With their innovative thinking and “can-do”attitudes they have promoted a positive image for the industry and demonstrated the industry’s true potential. We are proud of their many accomplishments,” said Chris Stinebert, president of MHI.

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, UNDER 150 SITES

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Ledgewood Retirement Community, Manchester, N.H.

Region III (Mid-West) – Brookside Meadows, Germantown, Wisc.

LAND-LEASE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS, OVER 150 SITES

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Pine Ridge South, Whiting, N.J.

Region II (South) – Bay Indies, Venice, Fla.

Region III (Mid-West) – Augusta Woods, Willis, Mich.

Region IV (West) – The Reserve at Fox Creek, Bullhead City, Ariz.

Additionally, several awards were given in special categories. These categories included the “Best New Land Lease Community in the United States,” the “Best Land-Lease Community Upgrade/Redevelopment in the United States,” and the “Best New Manufactured Home Subdivision in the United States.” The award winners for 2003 are:

Best Land-Lease Community Upgrade/Redevelopment in the United States – Olive Hill, Oroville, Calif.

Best New Land-Lease Community in the United States – The Highlands at Scottland Yards, Dade City, Fla.

Best New Manufactured Home Subdivision in the United States – The Mills of Carthage, Cincinnati, Ohio

RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The “Retailer 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:

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Plattsburgh Housing Outlet, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Region II (South) – Home-Mart Inc., Tulsa, Okla.

Region III (Mid-West) – Holiday Homes Inc., Milford, Ohio

Region IV (West) – Cavco Home Center, Tucson, Ariz.

DESIGN AWARDS

The following awards recognize excellence and encourage innovation in manufactured home design and production. An independent panel of architects and building professionals judged the entries and the following received awards:

Manufactured Home Design

Production Home Under 1400 Square Feet – Patriot Homes Inc. for “The Gettysburg”

Production Home Over 1400 Square Feet – Schult Homes Inc. for “The Savannah”

Concept Home Under 1400 Square Feet – Clayton Homes for “Dream Cape”

Concept Home Over 1400 Square Feet – New Era Building Systems Inc. “The Sycamore”

Modular Design

Production Home Under 1400 Square Feet – R-Anell Housing Group L.L.C. for “Founder’s Collection”

Production Home Over 1400 Square Feet – Genesis Homes for “The Cottage”

Concept Home Under 1400 Square Feet – New Era Building Systems Inc. for “The Kincaid”

Concept Home Over 1400 Square Feet – Penn Lyon Homes “The Gladstone”

Special Merit Award – Penn Lyon Homes for “Modular Estate”

NATIONAL 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 2003 manufactured housing industry awards.

Industry Person of the Year – Daniel Rolfes, Holiday Homes, Inc., Milford, Ohio

Manufacturer of the Year – Clayton Homes Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.

Developer of the Year – Potterhill Homes, Milford, Ohio

Lender of The Year – Chase Manufactured Housing, Cleveland, Ohio.

Manufactured Home Community Operator of the Year – SSK Communities, Erlanger, Ky.

MHI National Retailers Council Retail Person of the Year – Steve E. Ross, Universal Homes and Castle Housing, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Regional Lender of the Year – Triad Financial Services, Jacksonville, Fla.

Supplier Person of the Year – Michael McKitrick, Nevamar Company, Statesville, N.C.

State Association Executive of the Year – Nancy Geer, New York Manufactured Housing Association, Albany, N.Y.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s industry awards. Each of them earned their special distinction by practicing professional integrity and demonstrating high standards. For information about entering the 2003 National Industry Awards competition or about this year’s awards, contact Ann Parman at 703-558-0653 or via e-mail at ann@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.