The waves along the Atlantic coast at Boca Raton have been up since the blood moon, said Greg. Greg is one of the beachside resort attendants at the Waldorf Astoria hotel that’s the parent to the Boca Raton Resort and Club where the MHI annual convention was held. A meeting attendee by the shores opined the higher surf was part of the back swell from the recent storm that has so sadly impacted SC and points north.
The Atlantic Ocean’s wasn’t the only waves during the MHI event.
The personalities at these events run the gamut. So naturally the conversations mirror that spread;
> from the sedate, calm discussion,
> to the passionate and heated disagreements,
and all in between.
In a diverse membership, you have a range of views and opinions. Some see the best strategy as Way A, others see the path ahead on Road Z, plus viewpoints in between. That diversity is often more manifest outside the association room doors in the hallways, restaurants and discussions at the bar.
You can routinely count on some entertainment value in the meetings, along with the meat and potatoes of industry and association business. MHI prefers to release their official version, so we’ll defer for now.
The consensus is progress after years of effort for HR 650/ S 682 and their precursors could pay off soon. By early December, there will need to be an appropriations bill in the Senate and S 682 is attached to it. The House passed HR 650 last spring by a wide margin. So the relief on the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act could be in sight.
New Officers elected at MHI 2015 annual meeting:
Chairman of the Board:
Tim Williams, 21st Mortgage Corporation.
Vice Chairman of the Board:
Charley Lott, Fleetwood Enterprises, a division of Cavco.
Treasurer:
Howard Walker, Equity LifeStyle Properties.
Secretary:
Tom Hodges, Clayton Homes, Inc.
Awards and Honors:
2015 MHI Chairman’s Award: Steven P. Adler, Murex Properties, NCC Chairman.
State Association Executive of the Year: Marla Y McAfee, Tennessee Manufactured Housing Association.
Jim Moore Excellence in Communications Award: Andy Gallagher, WV Manufactured Housing Association.
Frank Walter Standards Award: Manuel Santana, Cavco.
Ire and Fire
There are some issues that were raised that we’ll elect to keep a lid on at this time.
As one of many possible follow ups, a long time pro mentioned the concept of yesterday’s ice and how that’s treated. Let’s just observe for now that there needs to be a respect for those who have put in years of service. At the same time, one must nurture a new crop of industry leaders and approaches, so that the path to the future is as smooth as possible.
As I’ll be presenting this week at the New York Housing Association’s annual meeting, the next Masthead will be late this weekend. Thanks for staying tuned, and if you’re in a day’s drive of their meeting and are looking to protect or grow your operation, this sounds like their best turnout in years. We’re told that seems to be a response to a popular line up of speakers and topics; Nancy – thanks, glad to be part of that mix. ##
