The Journal

April 2012

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/60637

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 5 of 31

RV/MHHall of Fame Restructures Financial Obligations Assuring Long-Term Stability The RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum (Hall) has restructured its financial obligations with its secured investors and is now on a path to long- term stability, thanks primarily to the generosity of the family of longtime benefactor Boots Ingram (deceased), according to Chairman of the Board Bill Garpow. "The RV/MHHall of Fame will live on," Gar- pow said. "Our glorious building will remain open for years to come. Our history will continue to be preserved. It's a day of triumph and celebration for the RV and manufactured housing industries, a daymade possible by the continued generosity of the Ingrams." Under terms of the agreement between the In- gram family and theHall, former treasurer&Hall board member Darryl Searer of Ultra- Fab Prod- ucts, Inc, andHall of Fame member, will assume the position of president and chief operating offi- cer of the Hall, on a volunteer basis. The Hall's current staff remains in place. Searer said, "This day has arrived because of the hard work of a dedicated group of Hall Exec- utive Committee members who fought for the Hall's future despite many obstacles and because both First Source Bank of Elkhart and Tony In- gram and his siblings wanted to see the Hall sur- vive and came up with a solution that allows that to happen. I'm sure one person smiling down on all of us today is Boots Ingram, a friend to this or- ganization like no other." TheHall has been facing a collective obligation of $4 million with the majority of it due in mid- 2012. The restructuring plan allows for the bulk of the obligation to be paid over a term that reduces the monthly payments to what the Hall can af- ford. First Source has significantly lowered its in- terest rate and restructured its agreement. The Ingram family forgave overdue interest obliga- tions, agreed to forgo any payments or interest on its loan until after the bank is fully paid in 2016 and has agreed to donate one dollar for each two dollars of principal that is retired each month by the scheduled payments beginning in August of 2016 or by prepayments. The Ingrams also announced a $100,000 matching "Let's Pay off the Bank" gift if a like amount can be raised by individual donations be- fore the end of August 2012. "What the Ingrams and our banking partner and our dedicated officers have given the Hall is a new life -- a chance to survive during these tur- bulent economic times when our industry has suf- fered and when contributions to museums and other types of organizations that depend on con- tributions have seenmajor reductions," said Gar- pow. "This new plan allows us to get to the light at the end of the tunnel." "This is step one," Searer said. "We are now going to go out to the other pioneers and leaders who have built their lives around this industry and ask them to follow the inspiration of Boots Ingram and his family and make significant long-term contributions to this wonderful treasure that show- cases who we are and how we help Americans dis- cover their country. "And the new message to contributors is as clear as a summer sky over a mountain campsite -- you can contribute knowing your money will not be wasted. Themuseum is no longer under threat to close. Their contri- \ 8 APRIL 2012 6 THE JOURNAL No. 4 on Get It Quick Page

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Journal - April 2012