Paul Barretto Send Off
It’s always bittersweet to watch a respected colleague move on to bigger and better things. It’s fitting that we feel both great sorrow and great happiness when we say goodbye to our dear friend and colleague, Paul Barretto. I’ve known Paul a long time, throughout his early days at Fannie Mae, where he admirably fought to overcome the hurdles of our growing industry. In fact, it was Paul who introduced me to Brad and ManufacturedHomes.com, so now you know who to blame for that. (THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE AND LAUGHTER) Today, we express a heartfelt goodbye to Paul as he takes on even bigger policy challenges at FHFA.
The factory-built industry has become Paul’s passion, and his commitment to the product and to the people who believe in it can never be challenged. In his role at LearnMH, Paul raised the bar for professionalism and integrity. He set expectations and reinforced them every time he spoke or coordinated a webinar. In a very real sense, he has been the cornerstone of that organization and the face of our public outreach. In short, he is knowledgeable, hard-working, charismatic, honest, and most importantly sincere.
It’s hard to believe, but in less than 2 years Paul has almost single-handedly shaped our public image and improved our brand’s reputation beyond measure. At the recent FMHA Annual Meeting, two folks at my lunch table asked about Paul and his role at MH.com. It was with heart-wrenching emotion to give them the news that Paul would be leaving us soon to accept new challenges at FHFA.
Paul: you’re more than a coworker – you’re an example of the very best that we can be, and you have left an impression on our company that will last. Your precedent will not be forgotten and your legacy will stay with us. We refuse to say goodbye, but prefer – see ya later. Good luck at FHFA, although we don’t think you’ll need it. Keep being you, keep challenging the status quo, and keep making us all collectively better. Thank you for all you’ve done and for leaving a bit of yourself here. Best wishes.
