PHRC

The Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center

Organizational Manual

219 Sackett Building

University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: (814) 865-2341
Facsimile: (814) 863-7304
E-mail: phrc@psu.edu
URL: www.engr.psu.edu/phrc
October 2004
 PHRC Organization Manual

Preface
This PHRC organization manual replaces the initial version which was assembled by Dr. Jack
Willenbrock. Since the PHRC is not a commercial enterprise, there is no formal requirement for a
formal Policies and Procedures Manual. As the PHRC is still an enterprise, in fact, it was thought
that a document that presented a consensus view of how the PHRC should be organized and operated
would be appropriate. This document tries to take the current status and growth into account. As
presented, it has been reviewed and approved by the Dean of Engineering, the PHRC Industry
Advisory Council and the Operations Committee. Comments and improvements are welcomed.

Eric Burnett Mark Fortney

Director of Research Director
Hankin Chair for Residential Construction,
Civil and Environmental Engineering
and Architectural Engineering

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Table of contents
1. Historical background 3
2. Mission and goals 4
3. Operations 5

3.1 Operating year ........................................................................................... 5

3.2 Funding ...................................................................................................... 5

3.3 Projects and activities ................................................................................ 5

3.3.1 Annual housing conference ....................................................................................................6
3.3.2 Workshops, training, and educational events .........................................................................6
3.3.3 Publications ............................................................................................................................7

4. Governance 8

4.1 Industry Advisory Council (IAC) ................................................................ 8

4.1.1 Membership ............................................................................................................................8
4.1.2 Meeting schedule....................................................................................................................8
4.1.3 Voting members......................................................................................................................8
4.1.4 Chairperson ............................................................................................................................8
4.1.5 Project input............................................................................................................................9

4.2 Operations Committee ............................................................................... 9

4.2.1 Functions ................................................................................................................................9
4.2.2 Membership ............................................................................................................................9
4.2.3 Chairperson ............................................................................................................................9
4.2.4 Vice-chair..............................................................................................................................10
4.2.5 Meeting schedule..................................................................................................................10

5. Resources 12

5.1 People and facilities at Penn State........................................................... 12

5.2 PHRC staffing .......................................................................................... 12

5.3 PHRC at Penn College staffing ................................................................ 14

Appendix 1 15
PHRC membership 15

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1. Historical background
The Hankin Chair in Residential Construction was established at the Pennsylvania State University
by the Hankin family in 1979 and was fully endowed in 1989. This endowment ensures a
commitment to, and focus on, residential construction at Penn State and provides a secure base source
of funds for educational and research activities in housing.

A Housing Research Center (HRC) was formally established at Penn State on July 1, 1988. The two
primary initiators were the Pennsylvania Builders Association and Jack Willenbrock, a Construction
Management Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Penn State and the
first holder of the Hankin Chair. The HRC was set up to be an independent, third-party agency to
serve the housing industry. The initial focus of the Center was to provide a mechanism to conduct
and fund research directed at residential construction. A secondary objective was to provide
educational and technology transfer opportunities for the home building industry.

Jack Willenbrock retired in August 1995, and Eric Burnett was appointed Hankin Chair and Director
of the PHRC as of January 1, 1996. Since then a number of significant changes have been made,
aimed primarily at expanding the Center’s training and technology transfer capabilities and increasing
its responsiveness to the home building industry. These changes include the following:

• The Center was renamed the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) in 1997. In
recent years we have preferred to use the name the Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource
Center to better reflect the activities of the PHRC.
• Since 1997, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has provided funding to the PHRC through
the Department of Community and Economic Development.

• A partnership was negotiated with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport,

leading to the establishment of the Pennsylvania Housing Resource Center at the
Pennsylvania College of Technology.

• In June 1998, the first full-time staff member, Mark Fortney, was appointed as Assistant
Director of the PHRC. In 2003, Mark assumed the position as Director and, the Hankin
Chair’s position changed to Director of Research.
• The PHRC has expanded its capabilities, especially in the areas of training and technical
transfer. Two new positions were added to support these activities (Tracy DeSoto was
appointed in 2001 and Ken Sagan in 2002). Scott Brown joined the PHRC in July 2002 as
Land Use and Development Specialist.

In accordance with the 1998 Business Plan, the PHRC has developed into a full-service professional
organization to serve the housing community in Pennsylvania.

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2. Mission and goals

The following is the mission statement of the PHRC:

The Pennsylvania Housing Resource/Research Center (PHRC) serves the home

building and remodeling industries and the citizens of Pennsylvania by
improving the quality and affordability of housing. The PHRC conducts applied
research, fosters the development and commercialization of innovative
technologies, and transfers appropriate technologies to the housing community.

The goals are:

• To be a recognized center of competence for housing-related training, technology transfer,

education, research, development, and demonstration.
• To be a valued resource for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the building
industry and design professionals in Pennsylvania.
• To focus on all technical aspects of housing, with emphasis on:

- residential land use, site development and subdivision design;

- the building enclosure (walls, roofs, windows, etc.);

- structural systems;

- service systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.);

- construction materials and methods;

- the overall delivery process;

- componentization and industrialization; and

- computer-related developments.
• To promote the following building and construction attributes:

- quality

- affordability

- energy efficiency

- accessibility

- sustainability
- durability

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3. Operations
The PHRC vigorously seeks industry involvement. One of the primary mechanisms for industry
input and support has been through membership in the PHRC. There are three levels of membership,
with corresponding fees and benefits: Leadership, Supporting, and Patron. Membership fees and
benefits are detailed in Appendix 1. The membership fees support the operation of the PHRC’s
Industry Advisory Council and Operations Committee as well as providing industry-based funding
that is used to leverage additional funds.

3.1 Operating year

The PHRC operates on a calendar year basis. However, individual projects or contracts are of
varying duration, and they may start within the year and extend past the year-end.

3.2 Funding

Direct financial support is provided by a number of sources. Since 1997, base annual funding has
been provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PHRC also does training, information
transfer and R and D for a variety of client groups. We also receive some funding from membership
of the PHRC. It must also be acknowledged that the indirect support we receive (facilities, services,
etc.) from Penn State at both University Park and Williamsport is significant.

3.3 Projects and activities

Each year ideas and priorities for projects are obtained from a wide variety of sources, including the
faculty and staff at Penn State and Penn College, the PHRC Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and the
PBA/PHRC Committee.

The program of projects that the PHRC initiates each year should be balanced between training,
technology transfer, education, applied research, demonstration, and outreach and liaison activities.
The projects should meet immediate and short-term needs as well as addressing longer-term or future
needs of the industry. In addition, projects should have some degree of industry support, and they
should leverage additional funds from one or more sources (or should have the potential to do so).

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Table 1: Focal Areas for Activities and Current Projects

3.3.1 Annual housing conference

The PHRC conducts the Pennsylvania Housing Conference each year (the first conference was held
in 1992). The conference is intended to provide a forum for sharing innovative practices and
materials and discussing technical issues of importance to the housing industry.

Members of the PHRC are entitled to receive a discounted or complimentary registration.

Leadership members receive one complimentary registration to the conference as well as unlimited
registrations at the discounted PHRC member rate.

Supporting members at or above the $1,000 membership level receive unlimited registrations at the
PHRC member rate. Supporting members below the $1,000 membership level receive one
registration at the PHRC member rate.

Patron members receive one registration at the PHRC member rate.

The PHRC member rate for the conference is 50% of the general admission rate.

3.3.2 Workshops, training, and educational events

The PHRC provides a wide array of training and educational programs each year. Members of the
PHRC receive a significant discount on the fees for all PHRC events held by the PHRC.

PHRC policy is to set all fees as low as possible, but they must cover basic program costs such as
handouts, materials, room rental, food, any instructor fees, etc.

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For PHRC members who hold training programs provided by the PHRC will also receive a discount
for those programs. To qualify for this benefit, members must be either at the $1,000 level or be a
Pennsylvania Builders Association affiliated organization. (see Appendix 1)

3.3.3 Publications

The PHRC produces publications ranging from research reports to technical briefs to newsletters. A
full list of publications can be viewed at www.engr.psu.edu/phrc. Many publications are free to
members of the PHRC with the exception of research reports and training manuals. Leadership and
Supporting members receive one complimentary copy and Patron members receive a 50% discount
on these documents.

Each year the PHRC produces an annual report which summarizes the PHRC’s accomplishments and
activities in the areas of training, education, outreach, and research and development.

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4. Governance
The PHRC is set up to operate with extensive industry input and involvement. The types of projects
and their direction are selected with input from, and the approval of, the PHRC’s Industry Advisory
Council (IAC) and the Operations Committee. Both groups help to generate ideas for projects,
determine the priority to be assigned to projects, and provide general guidance to the PHRC.

4.1 Industry Advisory Council (IAC)

4.1.1 Membership

The IAC comprises all Leadership and Supporting members of the PHRC. Membership is for the
operational year. The PHRC’s operational year is a calendar year.

The Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) supports its own PHRC Committee, known as the
PBA’s PHRC Committee. This committee provides a vehicle for direct PBA interaction and input to
the PHRC. The eight regional committee members serve as Leadership Members on the IAC.

The Director may also appoint individuals or industry representatives as Leadership or Supporting
Members of the IAC subject to the approval of the Operations Committee.

4.1.2 Meeting schedule

The IAC meets twice a year to formulate policy, confirm needs, and establish priorities. The spring
meeting is usually held in the spring in State College; the fall meeting is usually held in the fall in
Harrisburg. This schedule promotes industry involvement and helps ensure that the projects meet the
needs of the housing industry.

4.1.3 Voting members

Only Leadership members may vote on PHRC projects, initiatives, policies and procedures.
Supporting members may attend and participate in IAC meetings; however, they cannot vote.

4.1.4 Chairperson

The chairperson of the IAC is the same individual as the chairperson of the Operations Committee.
In addition to chairing the IAC meetings, the chairperson works closely with the Director to promote
the PHRC’s goals and objectives. The chairperson is recommended by the members of the
Operations Committee and must be confirmed by the IAC by obtaining the support of a simple
majority of the members present at one of the IAC’s biannual meetings.

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4.1.5 Project input

As noted earlier, the IAC helps generate ideas for projects, as well as reviewing and prioritizing
projects. The IAC formally approves the PHRC initiatives and projects to be pursued.

The IAC may provide further input and feedback for PHRC projects and initiatives. This may be
accomplished by appointing individual(s) to participate in a particular project or by forming a
subcommittee for larger projects or longer-term initiatives. Activities may include meeting with
project faculty and staff to review and discuss the scope, activities, and expected outcomes of a
project as well as reviewing interim progress reports and reviewing and critiquing project
deliverables. As appropriate, appointed individual(s) or subcommittees provide progress reports on
projects at IAC biannual meetings.

4.2 Operations Committee

4.2.1 Functions

The Operations Committee serves as the executive committee of the IAC and reports to it. It sets the
agenda for IAC meetings. It reviews and approves new projects and initiatives and submits them to
the IAC for formal approval. It periodically reviews the status of projects, and reviews and critiques
deliverables to assure they are meeting industry needs. The committee also provides guidance and
direction to help assure the long-term viability of the PHRC.

4.2.2 Membership

The Operations Committee consists of IAC members who are appointed to the committee by the
Director of the PHRC for a minimum two-year term. New appointees must be confirmed by the
existing members of the Operations Committee by a two-thirds vote.

Members are usually selected from among the Leadership members of the PHRC. They should
include a representative of the factory built housing industry, a PBA staff member, the Chair of
PBA’s PHRC Committee, and other appropriate industry representatives.

The PHRC Director, the PHRC Director of Research, and a Penn College representative are ex-
officio members of the Operations Committee.

4.2.3 Chairperson

The chairperson of the Operations Committee also chairs the IAC. The chairperson works closely
with the Director to promote the mission and meet the goals of the PHRC, and is responsible for
running the IAC and the Operations Committee meetings.

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The chairperson is elected by the other members of the Operations Committee and serves a minimum
of a two-year term. The chairperson must also be confirmed by the IAC by obtaining the support of a
simple majority of the IAC members present at one of the biannual meetings.

4.2.4 Vice-chair

The vice-chair assumes the responsibilities of the chairperson when the chairperson is absent. The
vice-chair of the Operations Committee is recommended by the other members of the Operations
Committee and serves a minimum of a two-year term. The Vice-chair must also be confirmed by the
IAC by obtaining the support of a simple majority of the members present at one of the biannual
meetings.

4.2.5 Meeting schedule

The Operations Committee meets at least twice per year. Meetings are held prior to the twice-yearly
IAC meeting, and other meetings are held on an as-needed basis. Meetings may be held in person or
via a conference call.

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State & Federal Dean

Government Agencies College of Engineering
Building Code Officials
Manufacturers/Suppliers
Design Professionals
Trade Associations
Consumers
Remodelers
Educators
Builders
PHRC
Industry Advisory
Council Department Head Department Head
Department of Civil Department of
and Environmental Architectural
Engineering Engineering
PHRC
Operations
Committee

Director of Research
Hankin Chair
Director

PHRC @ Penn College

Training and
Land Use and Director Factory
Education Administrative
Development Built Housing
Development Assistant
Specialist
Specialist

Staff Training
Assistant

PHRC Organization Chart

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5. Resources
The PHRC comprises a core group of individuals located in State College and Williamsport. Offices
are located at the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The
Hankin Chair and the PHRC full-time staff at Penn State provide the overall management,
administration, and operational support for the PHRC.

The PHRC is uniquely positioned within the extensive Penn State system being able to draw upon a
wide variety of resources, both people and facilities, at Penn State and at Penn College. This is a
highly effective and economical arrangement.

The following is a brief description of the resources available through the PHRC and the staff
responsible for carrying out the PHRC’s mandate.

5.1 People and facilities at Penn State

The PHRC draws upon at least two categories of resources from Penn State. The first is the people:
professors, professional staff and researchers, mainly in the departments of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agricultural
Extension Service, and Continuing and Distance Education.

The second category is the facilities and laboratories. They include the Building Enclosure Testing
Laboratory (BeTL) that enables performance testing to be conducted on wall, window and roof
assemblies. The facility is able to simulate various wind, temperature and driving rain conditions.
The Building Envelope Research Laboratory (BERL) in the AE Department is another valuable
resource. The Engineered Wood Laboratory in the Department of Agricultural and Biological
Engineering conducts static and dynamic testing of individual building components as well as full
structural systems (walls, floors, etc.). The people and the facilities at Penn State provide a unique
resource to the housing industry.

5.2 PHRC staffing

The work and the products that are developed by the PHRC rely on a variety of staffing resources.
The primary staff include the following:
Director of Research (Hankin Chair of Residential Construction) (40%)
The Director of Research is responsible for the overall operation of the PHRC. This
position also manages research projects for the PHRC, serves as primary investigator
for technical research and provides liaison and coordination with other faculty
members. The remaining 60% of this person’s time over the calendar year is devoted
to educational and research activities and to carrying out the responsibilities of the
Hankin Chair of Residential Construction.

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Director (100%)
The Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of the
PHRC. This includes the management of contracts, grants, and projects. This
person also serves as the primary liaison with the housing industry and state
government. The Director is also responsible for the newsletter, other publications,
correspondence, etc.

The Director is also directly responsible to the Operations Committee and the
Industry Advisory Council. However, he reports to the Hankin Chair (as Director of
Research). The Hankin Chair has direct responsibility to the University for the
overall operation of the PHRC.
Training and Education Development Specialist (100%)
This position, in conjunction with the Director, is responsible for the planning and
administration of all training and educational programs aimed at various sectors of
the housing industry. This includes overseeing the development of marketing,
identifying presenters, and assuring the overall quality of the programs. This position
is also responsible for developing new programs and identifying and securing
contract and grant opportunities.
Land Use and Development Specialist (100%)
This position is responsible for development and administration of projects that
address land and residential site development and subdivision design, and related
issues. This may include model subdivision design standards, innovative develop-
ment practices, and storm water system design practices. This person is also
responsible for teaching a Sustainable Land Development Course at Penn State.
Administrative Assistant (75%)
The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support, and also maintains the
PHRC’s web site and several databases of industry contacts. The incumbent
coordinates all mailings (newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets) and the production,
printing, and sales of reports. The remaining 25% of the time is devoted to the
academic needs of the Hankin Chair.
Staff Assistant (100%)
This position provides administrative support for the PHRC with emphasis on
training programs, the PHRC Annual Conference, and general meeting planning.
The incumbent coordinates all mailings (brochures and pamphlets) and oversees the
PA Code Training Consortium web site.

These positions may change focus over time to reflect changing priorities within the residential
construction industry and to meet contractual obligations. New positions may be added to address
new industry priorities and financial opportunities.

Other people, primarily faculty members, who have been involved on projects with the PHRC include
faculty from Civil and Environmental Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Engineering Design
and Graphics, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and the Economics Department. In addition,
a number of research assistants and outside consultants have been involved, as needed, on specific
projects.

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5.3 PHRC at Penn College staffing

The PHRC at the Pennsylvania College of Technology is currently housed within the Technology
Transfer Center at Penn College. The PHRC at Penn College provides an organization through which
numerous residential housing and construction programs can be involved with the PHRC. These
programs or initiatives may include training, education, and workforce development aimed at the
home building and remodeling industries as well as the modular and manufactured housing industries.
Formal programs that are in operation at PHRC at Penn College include the Modular Housing
Training Institute (MHTI), Manufactured Housing Resource Center (MHRC), and the Weatherization
Training Center (WTC).

The primary Penn College staff members are:

Director of the PHRC at Penn College (5%)
The Director of the PHRC at Penn College is responsible for the overall coordination
of the PHRC projects as well as the integration of the deliverables into the
Manufactured Housing Resource Center, Modular Housing Training Institute, and the
Weatherization Training Center.
Director of Factory Built Housing (100%)
Provides overall management of the MHRC and MHTI and oversee programs and
projects that focus on factory built housing. Outreach and liaison with the factory
built housing industries are major responsibilities.
Training Specialist (100%)
Provides training and administrative support for the factory built housing projects at
Penn College, including the MHTI and MHRC programs. Responsibilities include
outreach and liaison with the factory built housing industries.
Staff Assistant (3%)
Assists with mailings, registration and provides support for training events.

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Appendix 1
PHRC membership
The PHRC has always sought to operate with a great deal of industry involvement. One of the
primary mechanisms of input and support has been through membership. The membership fees are a
vital portion of the financial support for the PHRC at Penn State. This industry-based funding is
critical to its operation.

Membership is for the calendar year. New members who join mid-year can have their memberships
fees prorated.

Memberships must be paid in full to receive discounted registration at the PHRC’s Annual Housing
Conference or to attend IAC meetings.

The following are the membership categories and benefits:

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Leadership Supporting Patron
Corporate or Trade associations: $2,500 $1,000 $500
Small Businesses and Local Associations: $1,000 $500 $250
Individuals: $500 $250 $100

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Benefits Leadership Supporting Patron
A position on the PHRC Industry
Advisory Council, thus providing
Voting Non-voting N/A
guidance to the PHRC with regard to
research and technology transfer projects
An invitation to the bi-annual PHRC One seat One seat N/A
Industry Advisory Council Meetings
All non-proprietary reports and technical One complimentary copy One complimentary copy 50% discount
publications (upon request)
PA Housing Conference:
Complimentary Registration One N/A N/A
Membership < $1,000 one
Unlimited with at least 50% discount One 50%
50% Discount $1,000 membership Membership > $1,000 discount
Unlimited 50% discount
Membership < $1,000 one
discounted registration One
Discounted registration for PHRC Unlimited with at least
Membership > $1,000 discounted
training and educational programs* $1,000 membership
Unlimited discounted registration
registrations
*Discount applies to programs from both Pennsylvania State University and Pennsylvania College of Technology.

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