California Manufactured Housing Institute Names 2009 Award Recipients

Jess Maxcy, President, California Manufactured Housing Institute (CMHI), announced this year's recipients of the association's highest awards – John Evans, Jack E. Wells Award and Wally Pemper, Richard R. Percival Lifetime Achievement Award.

John Evans began his career in the manufactured housing industry in 1978 with Philips Industries. Recruited by Elixir Industries in 1984 he quickly became the Plant Manager in Ft. Worth, Texas and then National Sales Manager. John returned to Southern California in 1986 for a second tenure with Philips as VP of Sales/Business Manager. John was recruited by KINRO, Inc. in 1996 to design windows for manufactured housing for the West Coast. His innovation in this field forced many competitors out of the industry and he shortly facilitated the purchase of a housing window company in Idaho. This was the first of several liaisons John negotiated in order to expand KINRO’s industry position. Within the next five years, much of the manufactured housing industry in California and the western U.S. was using only KINRO products.

John’s career with KINRO ended in May 2009 due to management changes and industry challenges. Never one to be idle for long, he and partner, Barney Ryan formed E & R Manufactured Housing/ RV Window & Door Service, LLC in September.

John has been a strong supporter of the industry. He has served multiple terms on the Board of MHI and CMHI and RV/MH Hall of Fame. He has served as Task Force Chair of the MHI Image Campaign and on the Executive Committee of MHI and CMHI, where he now serves as Treasurer.

Married to Cheryl Evans, an accomplished hair stylist and Redlands salon owner, they have two successful children, two beautiful grandchildren with number three on the way.

John is the 60th industry leader to receive this significant recognition for his contributions to the industry.

Wally Pemper has been a devoted member of CMHI and the manufactured housing industry for over 30 years. He is the owner of Blue Carpet Homes, a leading manufactured home sales center located in Fountain Valley, CA.

Upon discharge from the US Air Force in 1960, Wally worked briefly at American Motor Company then headed west to California where he worked as a teller for Security Bank while enrolled at Woodbury Business College. After graduating, he passed his CPA exam and worked as a CPA until 1973 when he entered the mobile home industry.

From 1973 to 1993, Wally was a mobile home dealer, CPA or loan broker. In 1993, he formed Blue Carpet Manufactured Homes and has solely owned and operated the business for the past 16 years.

Wally has served on the Board of Directors of CMHA, CMHI and was instrumental in the re-structuring of CMHI in 1986. He chaired CMHI’s Orange County Chapter several terms and served as President of California Multiple Listing for ten years. Whenever he is called upon for service and support for the advancement of the industry, he does so willingly and without hesitation.

Congratulations, Wally and John on these well deserved honors. Both honorees will be presented with their awards at the 2010 Wells Awards Banquet held in conjunction with CMHI’s Annual Convention, March 17th-19th at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA.