CAMP HILL, Pa. (October 1, 2008) – The nation’s largest custom modular home manufacturer doesn’t plan to relinquish that title any time soon. To maintain its position as the modular home industry leader and continue growing despite the current housing market, Excel Homes has hired 19-year sales and marketing veteran Eric Merling as director of sales for the company’s AvisAmerica team.

In this role, Merling will serve as a sales mentor and leader within AvisAmerica, a division of Excel Homes, with a focus on increasing the company’s current roster of builder partners and managing the entire sales process from conception to delivery.

“If you’re not growing your team, you’re not growing your business, and Eric will help us do both,” said Excel Homes President Steve Scharnhorst. “He’s also going to help us grow our builder base and convert traditional stick builders to the modular way throughout our expanding footprint. Both objectives are the cornerstones of our growth strategy.”

Merling will work out of Excel’s Camp Hill, Pa., headquarters but plans to spend equal or more time in the field supporting the sales team’s growth efforts.

Prior to joining Excel Homes, Merling served as VP of sales and marketing with Coachmen Industries RV and All American Homes. Most recently, he served as the general sales manager for Westchester Modular Homes.