This is the last dance for my role as Board Chairman. It has been a great deal of fun and quite enlightening. Thanks for letting me play this roll as the climax to my decades of involvement with the industry.   

Truly we have cause for optimism.   The larger than ever attendance at the Memorial golf tournament is just one indication.  Thanks go to Wayne Tomlin and the VAMMHA staff – what a job well done. When things start feeling right, we start acting better, and improved attendance at industry functions is a fine sign.  The next industry function is the annual convention.  Thanks to Hugh Covington and his committee for their preparation.  It promises to be a good time and a valuable time to network and visit with fellow members. I hope to see all of you there.

We are starting to see new growth in our membership.  I want to offer a special thanks to Larry Checca and Cindy Tomlin for their help in facilitating that growth. Please remind your suppliers about what VAMMHA has meant to you over the years and even more important – what the association can do in the future.

Our big, bi-annual advertising campaign has been completed for 2006. The spots are well done and well placed in the media. Another good example of VAMMHA’s good work in helping our image.  Thanks To Ben Flores and his committee.

Remember that elections for the board of directors will be held at the general membership meeting during the convention in July.  Maybe you should consider serving in that role. Put you hat in the ring.  Help your industry by being willing to help your association.  Just as your garden will produce according to the effort that you put in to it, so will VAMMHA.

Paul Hodge deserves a thank you for his work on improving our web site.  We should all visit that site and continue the effort to improve even more.

All those who worked hard as board members have my sincere gratitude. Our future is a bright as we are willing to make it by giving our time and expertise to help our industry through our association.

I had a chance to attend one of the political action committee’s fun raising events, along with John Rick.  Although John’s score at the sporting clays competition was better than mine (again), neither of us is a threat to be recruited by anyone.  

Our lobbying effort is readily acknowledged as powerful and well done. Thanks Ron and all those who talk with community leaders and legislators about factory built housing and why it is a better idea.

Optimism about better times coming is a good thing. It is nice when it starts to prove itself as justified.