Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/406201
NOVEMBER 2014 13 THE JOURNAL Al's first introduction to the MH industry was purchasing and residing in a 12x60 Schult in the 1960s and then moonlighting from his position as a police officer in assisting the crew to set doublewides for the central Michigan park he lived in and its related sales lot. When he joined the foundation staff in the 90s, Al brought the industry history story to housing shows at Louisville, Nashville, Char- lotte, Kansas City and Tunica. He was asked to research and write associa- tion histories for 50th anniversary celebrations of several state associations and wrote the his- tory of MHI and its formation that appears on its website. He has assisted several MH retail businesses to create web sites. Al has a program on the history and evolu- tion of manufactured housing that has never been presented to the industry groups it was de- signed for. One of the highlights of Al's career is when he was invited to speak in China in 2010, es- tablishing him as an international authority on the RV industry in America. He was one of four U.S. representatives who participated in the 3rd Annual Hangzhou China Outdoor Lifestyle Show in support of the growing Chi- nese RV industry. Al said, "This wasn't just the highlight of my career, but the highlight of my life. "I was even more overwhelmed when I was invited back in 2012 to be one of the keynote speakers at the 1st National China RV Rally. I was tremendously honored to be invited to speak at this historic event." There have been a lot of changes in the RV/MH Heritage Foundation since he started 20 years ago. Al witnessed the transitioned from a nearly bankrupt organization in 1994 in the old facility to the financially sound, beau- tiful tourist attraction and event center that it is today. As far as his future plans, Al said, "While I'm not looking for another career, I love shar- ing my knowledge about the history of the RV and manufactured housing industries with oth- ers so I will continue to accept invitations to speak at RV shows and rallies. Other than that, there are too many roads I haven't trav- eled and a lot of fish that need catching so I'm going to get behind the wheel of my motorhome and see where the road takes me." Darryl Searer, president and chairman of the Foundation, said, "The board of directors and I thank Al for his many years of service to the Foundation. We're confident that all his dreams will come true on whatever new roads he travels, and we wish him success in his new role as an independent RV historian." If you would like to congratulate Al on his retirement, you can email him at ahessel- bart@aol.com or contact him through his web site www.rvhistoryprograms.com, Al Hesselbart with his historic Newell mo- torhome and Charlie, the RV Industry's Centennial Bear HISTORIAN HESSELBART