SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Dick Riess of Hoover will be inducted into the Alabama Manufactured Housing Industry Hall of Fame on Dec. 13 in Montgomery.

The nominees are selected for their contribution to the manufactured housing industry in Alabama, new developments or improvements to the industry, contribution and participation in trade associations and community service outside the industry. Riess will join 20 other leaders from the industry in the Hall of Fame that was established in 2001.

Richard &uot;Dick&uot; Riess began his career in the mobile home industry as a partner in Tarrant Mobile Homes in Tarrant in Feb. of 1961. Tarrant Mobile Homes changed to Continental Housing, Inc., and Dick served as Vice-President/CEO from 1965 to 1980. He then formed, along with a partner, The Home Place, Inc., and was vice-president until he retired.

He helped start the Alabama Mobile Home Association (now known as AMHA), was on the original Board of Directors, and served as President of the Birmingham chapter in 1966.

His tenure on the AMHA Board spanned from 1966 through 1989, and he served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and Chairman. He served as President of the Association in 1970 and 1971.

Riess was elected Person of the Year for the Association in 1985. He was instrumental in getting a State Regulatory Agency in Alabama, the Manufactured Housing Commission, as well as the passing of the first construction standards bill through the Alabama legislature. Riess served as Vice-President of Financial Investment Corporation from 1975-77, he was a licensed real estate broker for 20 years, and a licensed insurance agent for 40 years.

Riess is married to Catherine, and has two children, eight step-children and 17 grandchildren. He currently resides in Hoover.

Since retiring, he serves as vice-president of the Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation, treasurer of the Hoover New Horizons Senior organization, and chairman of the Hoover Senior Center Building Committee. He also drives for the Hoover Express, which provides transportation for seniors.

The Alabama Manufactured Housing Association (AMHA) is the trade association for all segments of the manufactured housing industry in Alabama. The Hall of Fame was established in 2001 and 3 leaders are inducted into this prestigious Hall each year. The Hall of Fame is located in the AMHA Building in Montgomery