Our Mission
Our mission is to put sustainable homeownership within reach of everyone, while transforming the manufactured housing industry through consumer education, affordability and energy-efficiency.
Our Story

Next Step Network was created out of a desire to make factory-built homes a practical, sustainable solution for those looking to own their home.
While working in rural Appalachia, our founder Stacey Epperson saw many homeowners struggling with their older mobile homes – upside-down on loans and behind on sky high utility bills. Recognizing the need for safe, sustainable and affordable housing, she began to question how to bring high-performing, new, factory-built homes to communities across the country.
Next Step was founded on the principle of helping families gain access to a high quality, energy-efficient homes – creating prepared, supported and educated homeowners.
In 2011, Next Step was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, wholly dedicated to building relationships between the factory-built housing industry, housing developers, affordable housing advocates, lenders and other key stakeholders to deliver factory-built homes as a viable, sustainable homeownership solution.
Annual Reports
Board of Directors
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Sheila Rice, Chairperson
Former Executive Director, Neighborhoodworks Montana -
Douglas K. Smith, Vice-Chairperson
Concerned Citizen -
John Gillespie, Treasurer
Founder & President, Beyond The Line -
Emanuel Levy
Executive Director, Systems Building Research Alliance -
David Dangler
National Director, Neighborworks Rural Initiative at Neighborworks America -
Kathryn Gwatkin Goulding
Owner, NG2 Nonprofit & Philanthropic Consulting -
Frank Olson, Secretary
Former Board Chair, Frontier Housing INC. -
Jeff Stern
Principal / Owner, Riverside Advisors, LLC -
Damon Allen
VP & Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati -
George McCarthy
President, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy -
Robin Roy
Director, Next Energy -
Kim Vermeer
President, Urban Habitat Initiatives
Staff
-
Stacey Epperson
President & Founder -
Chris Nicely
CEO, Next Step Homes -
Amy Barnard
Direct Program Manager -
Grant Beck
Marketing & Communications Manager -
Chona Camomot
Executive Assistant -
Ashley Evans
Data & Technology Manager -
Kelly Fleck
Homeownership Manager -
Cindy George
Accounts Payable -
Tom Seel
CFO -
Shelly Trent
HR & Training Coordinator -
Billie Wells
Controller
Join Our Team
No positions are open at this time.