MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced that State Representative Elwyn Thomas has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission effective September 1, 2012.  Thomas currently represents House District 34 in Jefferson and Blount Counties and has served in the Alabama Legislature for 15 years.

The Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission serves as the state’s regulatory agency to enforce installation program standards and modular program construction standards.  The AMHC also regulates the manufactured housing industry in the state with an emphasis on compliance and consumer protection.  Further, the AMHC also helps communities obtain safe and accessible storm shelters.

“I am pleased to appoint Representative Thomas to this position,” Governor Bentley said.  “The Manufactured Housing Commission has many important responsibilities.  I know Elwyn will work closely with everyone involved in order to uphold the standards in manufactured housing that are designed to protect the citizens of Alabama.”

In addition to his service in the Alabama Legislature, Thomas has spent more than 30 years working as a real estate developer and as a real estate evaluator for local banks.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my state in this capacity,” Thomas said.  “I’ll work to make sure we uphold all state and federal regulations in order to best serve consumers.  We are here to work with the industry and to serve the public.”

Rep. Thomas will step down from his House seat in order to assume his new role.  Governor Bentley will call a special election to fill the District 34 seat in the House of Representatives.