Governing Council Candidates
Listed by Division
The biographies below are of new candidates seeking election to the FMHA's Governing Councils. While many on the ballot are veteran FMHA members, the bios below provide those casting ballots with a short briefing on the background and experience of those seeking council seats for the first time.
FILLED COMMUNITIES
John Hall, Newby Management
John Hall grew up in the industry as his parents were community managers at manufactured home and RV communities in Michigan, Tennessee and ultimately Florida. His mother was a Community Manager with Newby Management for half of her career. He began my career with Newby Management 13 years ago as a Regional Manager, then Director of Property Management and then as President for the past 5 years. Newby Management is based in Ellenton, FL and has served community owners and associations of manufactured home and RV communities for over 50 years. Newby offers third party management services and cover everything from employee supervision, payroll, human resources, accounts payable, accounting, project management, chaplaincy services, IT, and marketing for all age and 55+ communities.
John Hall grew up in the industry as his parents were community managers at manufactured home and RV communities in Michigan, Tennessee and ultimately Florida. His mother was a Community Manager with Newby Management for half of her career. He began my career with Newby Management 13 years ago as a Regional Manager, then Director of Property Management and then as President for the past 5 years. Newby Management is based in Ellenton, FL and has served community owners and associations of manufactured home and RV communities for over 50 years. Newby offers third party management services and cover everything from employee supervision, payroll, human resources, accounts payable, accounting, project management, chaplaincy services, IT, and marketing for all age and 55+ communities.
William Smoljanovich, Equity Lifestyle Properties South Division
William (“Bill”) began his career in the industry in 1997. He first joined NHC, which later became Encore and was subsequently acquired by ELS. He later worked with Carefree, which was purchased by Sun Communities, before returning to ELS, where he has now served for more than eight years. Over the course of his career, Bill has held roles ranging from maintenance to Regional Manager, a position he has held for the past 14 years.
William (“Bill”) began his career in the industry in 1997. He first joined NHC, which later became Encore and was subsequently acquired by ELS. He later worked with Carefree, which was purchased by Sun Communities, before returning to ELS, where he has now served for more than eight years. Over the course of his career, Bill has held roles ranging from maintenance to Regional Manager, a position he has held for the past 14 years.
DEVELOPERS
Julie Lucas, UMH Properties Inc.
Julie began with UMH in 2008 - cleaning homes and advancing to Sales Director through dedication and hands on industry experience. She strongly believes that manufactured housing is the future of affordable homeownership, and is committed to supporting the continued growth and success of the industry. Her leadership and community involvement have been recognized through numerous volunteer service awards, including the 2025 Board Director Award from the Sebring Chamber of Commerce.
Julie began with UMH in 2008 - cleaning homes and advancing to Sales Director through dedication and hands on industry experience. She strongly believes that manufactured housing is the future of affordable homeownership, and is committed to supporting the continued growth and success of the industry. Her leadership and community involvement have been recognized through numerous volunteer service awards, including the 2025 Board Director Award from the Sebring Chamber of Commerce.
MANUFACTURERS
Joe Gibbons, Gulf Atlantic Cottages
Joe Gibbons is a seasoned Tampa Bay Area real estate and construction executive with over two decades of experience spanning residential and commercial building, manufactured housing construction, real estate brokerage, and affordable housing development. He has experience serving simultaneously as President/Founder of Gulf Bay Builders, President/Managing Broker of Gulf Atlantic Realty, and Founder of Gulf Atlantic Cottages. His expertise encompasses custom home construction, sustainable building, multi-family development, and commercial build-outs. Joe also brings a strong community development perspective, having served as Secretary and Treasurer of Community Partners in Revitalization (CPR), a nonprofit focused on affordable housing, neighborhood stabilization, and improving quality of life for low-to-moderate income families.
Joe Gibbons is a seasoned Tampa Bay Area real estate and construction executive with over two decades of experience spanning residential and commercial building, manufactured housing construction, real estate brokerage, and affordable housing development. He has experience serving simultaneously as President/Founder of Gulf Bay Builders, President/Managing Broker of Gulf Atlantic Realty, and Founder of Gulf Atlantic Cottages. His expertise encompasses custom home construction, sustainable building, multi-family development, and commercial build-outs. Joe also brings a strong community development perspective, having served as Secretary and Treasurer of Community Partners in Revitalization (CPR), a nonprofit focused on affordable housing, neighborhood stabilization, and improving quality of life for low-to-moderate income families.
Bill Horn, Champion Skyline
Bill Horn, General Manager for Champion Homes in Ocala, is a manufactured housing industry veteran with over 25 years of hands-on experience spanning every level of plant operations. He built his career progressively through roles at Clayton Homes — from Set Crew Manager and Project Manager to Foreman and ultimately Director of Operations — before joining Champion Homes. His operational expertise is exceptionally deep, encompassing factory-floor production management, large-scale construction oversight, and multi-site operations leadership, giving him a rare ground-up understanding of how manufactured homes are built, set, and delivered.
Bill Horn, General Manager for Champion Homes in Ocala, is a manufactured housing industry veteran with over 25 years of hands-on experience spanning every level of plant operations. He built his career progressively through roles at Clayton Homes — from Set Crew Manager and Project Manager to Foreman and ultimately Director of Operations — before joining Champion Homes. His operational expertise is exceptionally deep, encompassing factory-floor production management, large-scale construction oversight, and multi-site operations leadership, giving him a rare ground-up understanding of how manufactured homes are built, set, and delivered.
RETAILERS/BROKERS
Hayden Canter, Home Life
Hayden Canter is a results-driven manufactured housing professional and General Manager with Home Life in Panama City, Florida. He brings more than sixteen years of industry experience in sales, operations, and land–home package development.
Previously, a top-performing Sales Specialist and Sales Manager in Byram, Mississippi, Hayden earned recognition as a Top 5 company-wide salesperson in 2022. He is known for solving complex, customer-focused challenges, particularly in creating land and manufactured housing packages that align with buyers’ budgets and long-term goals.
Hayden’s background as owner–operator of Southern Traditions Custom Homes gives him a strong foundation in construction, real estate, and residential development. He combines that expertise with social media and creative marketing to educate and engage customers in a clear, approachable way.
Hayden Canter is a results-driven manufactured housing professional and General Manager with Home Life in Panama City, Florida. He brings more than sixteen years of industry experience in sales, operations, and land–home package development.
Previously, a top-performing Sales Specialist and Sales Manager in Byram, Mississippi, Hayden earned recognition as a Top 5 company-wide salesperson in 2022. He is known for solving complex, customer-focused challenges, particularly in creating land and manufactured housing packages that align with buyers’ budgets and long-term goals.
Hayden’s background as owner–operator of Southern Traditions Custom Homes gives him a strong foundation in construction, real estate, and residential development. He combines that expertise with social media and creative marketing to educate and engage customers in a clear, approachable way.
Stephen Chase, Windstorm Mitigation, Inc.
Stephen Chase is Vice President of Windstorm Mitigation, Inc. Stephen has spent the last five years managing Windstorms CBDG contracts throughout Florida. In this role, he has successfully overseen the sale and installation of more than 150 manufactured homes across various jurisdictions. In addition to his management experience, Stephen holds a Florida Installation license and has supervised the installation of over 200 additional homes for industry member communities. He is graduate of Notre Dame University.
Stephen Chase is Vice President of Windstorm Mitigation, Inc. Stephen has spent the last five years managing Windstorms CBDG contracts throughout Florida. In this role, he has successfully overseen the sale and installation of more than 150 manufactured homes across various jurisdictions. In addition to his management experience, Stephen holds a Florida Installation license and has supervised the installation of over 200 additional homes for industry member communities. He is graduate of Notre Dame University.
Keith David, Champion Homes
Keith David currently oversees all Champion Homes retail sales centers in Florida. He brings strong Sunshine State market knowledge, operational leadership, and longstanding industry relationships to the table and is a seasoned manufactured housing executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He founded and led multiple ventures including Summerset Home Center in Lake City and Keith David Building Solutions — a design-build commercial contracting, modular dealership, and real estate brokerage firm. He then joined Prestige Home Centers, where he served as Florida District Manager for nearly 13 years and rose to Vice President, developing deep expertise in retail sales operations, manufactured and system-built housing, commercial construction, and modular dealerships.
Keith David currently oversees all Champion Homes retail sales centers in Florida. He brings strong Sunshine State market knowledge, operational leadership, and longstanding industry relationships to the table and is a seasoned manufactured housing executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He founded and led multiple ventures including Summerset Home Center in Lake City and Keith David Building Solutions — a design-build commercial contracting, modular dealership, and real estate brokerage firm. He then joined Prestige Home Centers, where he served as Florida District Manager for nearly 13 years and rose to Vice President, developing deep expertise in retail sales operations, manufactured and system-built housing, commercial construction, and modular dealerships.
Jay Eben, Heritage Housing Solutions
Jay Eben is the CEO and majority owner of Heritage Housing Solutions, a licensed manufactured housing dealer focused on retail sales, investor infill, redevelopment, and land-home projects. He has more than 20 years of manufactured housing and real estate operations experience across both small private operators and large institutional platforms, including senior leadership roles with Broadview Communities, COARE Communities, Lakeshore Management, and Equity LifeStyle Properties. His background includes community operations, acquisition integration, portfolio stabilization, infill strategy, capital projects, regulatory coordination, home sales, vendor relationships, and execution across multi-state portfolios. Through Heritage Housing Solutions, Jay brings a retailer’s perspective grounded in owner/operator experience, with a focus on helping manufactured housing move from factory production to completed homesites with greater clarity, accountability, and collaboration. He is interested in serving on the Retailer Division Governing Council to support FMHA’s advocacy, strengthen coordination across the industry, and help advance manufactured housing as a practical solution to Florida’s housing affordability needs.
Jay Eben is the CEO and majority owner of Heritage Housing Solutions, a licensed manufactured housing dealer focused on retail sales, investor infill, redevelopment, and land-home projects. He has more than 20 years of manufactured housing and real estate operations experience across both small private operators and large institutional platforms, including senior leadership roles with Broadview Communities, COARE Communities, Lakeshore Management, and Equity LifeStyle Properties. His background includes community operations, acquisition integration, portfolio stabilization, infill strategy, capital projects, regulatory coordination, home sales, vendor relationships, and execution across multi-state portfolios. Through Heritage Housing Solutions, Jay brings a retailer’s perspective grounded in owner/operator experience, with a focus on helping manufactured housing move from factory production to completed homesites with greater clarity, accountability, and collaboration. He is interested in serving on the Retailer Division Governing Council to support FMHA’s advocacy, strengthen coordination across the industry, and help advance manufactured housing as a practical solution to Florida’s housing affordability needs.
Rob Smith, Fortune Real Estate
For more than 40 years, Rob Smith has dedicated his career to the growth and professionalism of Florida’s RV resort and manufactured housing industries. After becoming a licensed real estate broker in 1983, he quickly rose to become the top broker associate at Fortune Real Estate, later taking the helm as Broker/Owner in 1987. Rob’s passion for the industry extends beyond brokerage—he has owned and operated manufactured home and RV communities since 1991 and currently oversees three thriving Florida resort properties. His hands‑on experience as an owner‑operator, combined with decades of dealmaking, has made him a trusted resource for buyers, sellers, and fellow operators. Now in his eighth year on the Board of Directors for FARVC, Rob continues to advocate for the industry and stay at the forefront of market and legislative developments.
For more than 40 years, Rob Smith has dedicated his career to the growth and professionalism of Florida’s RV resort and manufactured housing industries. After becoming a licensed real estate broker in 1983, he quickly rose to become the top broker associate at Fortune Real Estate, later taking the helm as Broker/Owner in 1987. Rob’s passion for the industry extends beyond brokerage—he has owned and operated manufactured home and RV communities since 1991 and currently oversees three thriving Florida resort properties. His hands‑on experience as an owner‑operator, combined with decades of dealmaking, has made him a trusted resource for buyers, sellers, and fellow operators. Now in his eighth year on the Board of Directors for FARVC, Rob continues to advocate for the industry and stay at the forefront of market and legislative developments.
Michelle Vanderbilt, American Mobile Home Sales
Michelle Vanderbilt is the CEO of American Mobile Home Sales. She is a passionate advocate for affordable housing and the opportunities manufactured housing creates for individuals and families seeking homeownership. As CEO, she leads with a philosophy rooted in humility, integrity, and service, believing they are not just selling homes, but helping people embrace the "Mobile Life" lifestyle and community. Her professional background includes more than 28 years in banking and financial leadership, serving in roles ranging from trusted advisor to bank president and market manager before transitioning into the manufactured housing industry over a decade ago.
In 2016, Michelle became the successor to one of her longtime clients and mentors, growing the company from a small brokerage into a full-service manufactured home broker, dealer, and Mobile Home Installer serving Central Florida. She is proud to be a licensed broker, dealer, and installer, and she remains deeply committed to being a voice for affordable homeownership and responsible industry growth throughout Florida.
Michelle Vanderbilt is the CEO of American Mobile Home Sales. She is a passionate advocate for affordable housing and the opportunities manufactured housing creates for individuals and families seeking homeownership. As CEO, she leads with a philosophy rooted in humility, integrity, and service, believing they are not just selling homes, but helping people embrace the "Mobile Life" lifestyle and community. Her professional background includes more than 28 years in banking and financial leadership, serving in roles ranging from trusted advisor to bank president and market manager before transitioning into the manufactured housing industry over a decade ago.
In 2016, Michelle became the successor to one of her longtime clients and mentors, growing the company from a small brokerage into a full-service manufactured home broker, dealer, and Mobile Home Installer serving Central Florida. She is proud to be a licensed broker, dealer, and installer, and she remains deeply committed to being a voice for affordable homeownership and responsible industry growth throughout Florida.
SUPPLIER & SERVICE FIRMS
Jesse Graves, Style Crest
Jesse Graves brings over 30 years of experience in the metal and building products industry, with the past three years focused specifically on the manufactured housing sector. In this role, he has worked closely with communities, contractors, and industry partners, gaining firsthand insight into product constraints, as well as the challenges and obstacles facing the industry throughout the state of Florida. Jesse believes the manufactured housing industry is undervalued in the Florida market, largely due to a lack of education and awareness. He is seeking a position on the FMHA Board to help advocate for the industry by educating the public and local municipalities, while highlighting the critical role manufactured housing plays in providing affordable housing solutions.
Jesse Graves brings over 30 years of experience in the metal and building products industry, with the past three years focused specifically on the manufactured housing sector. In this role, he has worked closely with communities, contractors, and industry partners, gaining firsthand insight into product constraints, as well as the challenges and obstacles facing the industry throughout the state of Florida. Jesse believes the manufactured housing industry is undervalued in the Florida market, largely due to a lack of education and awareness. He is seeking a position on the FMHA Board to help advocate for the industry by educating the public and local municipalities, while highlighting the critical role manufactured housing plays in providing affordable housing solutions.
Katie Singleton, ManageAmerica
Katie Singleton is a Sr Enterprise Account Executive at ManageAmerica, focused on helping manufactured housing operators navigate the operational challenges that come with growth. She works closely with owners and operators to improve visibility, standardize processes, and build systems that scale alongside their portfolios.
Katie is actively engaged in the manufactured housing industry and values the strong sense of community it brings. She regularly attends industry events and enjoys connecting with operators to exchange ideas and insights.
She is passionate about contributing to the industry’s continued growth and supporting initiatives that bring operators and partners together.
Katie Singleton is a Sr Enterprise Account Executive at ManageAmerica, focused on helping manufactured housing operators navigate the operational challenges that come with growth. She works closely with owners and operators to improve visibility, standardize processes, and build systems that scale alongside their portfolios.
Katie is actively engaged in the manufactured housing industry and values the strong sense of community it brings. She regularly attends industry events and enjoys connecting with operators to exchange ideas and insights.
She is passionate about contributing to the industry’s continued growth and supporting initiatives that bring operators and partners together.
Ryan Winkler, Rent Manager
Ryan is the Relationship Manager for Rent Manager focused on the Manufactured Housing and Outdoor Hospitality industries. They are members of MHI and on the MHI National Communities Council as well as a few other state level association committees/councils. He is responsible for partnering with industry experts, association members, customers, prospects, partners, etc to drive engagement for Rent Manager as well as support manufactured housing and outdoor hospitality industry advancement.
Ryan is the Relationship Manager for Rent Manager focused on the Manufactured Housing and Outdoor Hospitality industries. They are members of MHI and on the MHI National Communities Council as well as a few other state level association committees/councils. He is responsible for partnering with industry experts, association members, customers, prospects, partners, etc to drive engagement for Rent Manager as well as support manufactured housing and outdoor hospitality industry advancement.
