Each year, RV industry legacies are celebrated at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Elkhart, Indiana.
Monday evening, the association unveiled the recipient of the Darryl Searer Spirit Award before 10 new inductees walked the stage in green jackets.
The Spirit Award recognizes Hall of Fame contributors who exhibit loyalty, character, commitment, dedication, involvement, a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the support of the Hall of Fame. This year’s award went to Dana Nelsen, longtime Hall of Fame board member and publisher/CEO of DRN Media dba RV News.
Hall of Fame President Darryl Searer said Nelsen is “a true supporter of the Hall of Fame and what it stands for. He has been very active with the board and is very, very deserving.”
Nelsen has served on the Hall of Fame board for more than 12 years.
Nelsen said, “Out of all the awards that someone can win, winning an award for service and for giving is probably the biggest honor. It is a pretty big honor to stand in the shadow of people like Jeff Rutherford, Todd Su, Phil Ingrassia, Brian Wilkins…really, all of the inductees.”
According to Searer, some ways Nelsen supports the Hall of Fame include providing input on the board of directors, RV News ad partnerships and induction dinner sponsorships.
Searer said Nelsen has “a voice that is not afraid to speak up and talk about things that would benefit the Hall of Fame….I can tell you that no one even come close this year to what Dana has done—not just this year, but in years past as well.”
Nelsen said he hopes others will recognize the Hall of Fame’s mission and seek ways to be a part of it.
He said, “The Hall is all about recognizing greatness and going out and finding people who have given more than anybody else.”
The 2024 RV/MH Hall of Fame class inducted Monday night included Grand Design CEO Don Clark, Airxcel Chairman and former CEO Jeff Rutherford, Triple E RV CEO Terry Elias, RVDA President Phil Ingrassia and Wilkins RV President Brian Wilkins.
Manufactured Housing inductees included Clayton Homes’ Charlie Hemphill, UMH Properties’ Sam Landy, Choice Properties’ Kamal Shouhayib, Flagship Communities’ Nathan Smith and Advantage Homes’ Todd Su.
