Renowned Codes Expert, Advocate and
"True Professional" Ron Burton Passes Away

William Ronald "Ron" Burton, a renowned codes expert who was a key advocate for the International Code Council and its strategic partners in the building safety industry, passed away Nov. 9 of a sudden heart attack.
He was 67.

A diverse individual whose early job titles included English teacher and auto mechanic, Burton spent the past 30-plus years serving the industry in various codes-related positions with the Building Owners & Managers Association International (BOMA), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and as a successful private consultant. The ICC Honorary Member was an instrumental figure during the Code Council consolidation and over the years served on numerous committees, including the ICC Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) and the cdpACCESS Steering Committee that ushered in the new cloud-based system for code development.

"Ron was one of the true gentlemen in this business," said ICC Board of Directors Immediate Past President Stephen D. Jones, CBO. "Bright, articulate, passionate and one of the smartest men I ever met, the world will never fully know what an impact he had on the state of code enforcement in this great country."

"While known as a straight shooter, Ron was very approachable and was always willing to take young code officials under his wing," explained ICC Board President Guy Tomberlin, CBO. "One could learn so much from listening to his stories and experiences, and so much can and should be gleaned from the example he set as a professional in our industry."

"ICC's strategic partners and individual stakeholders play a tremendous role in the long-term success of our association," added Code Council CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. "Ron certainly embodied the definition of professional, and his work with BOMA, NAHB and ICC will have a lasting impression on our association and industry. Ron understood deeply the value of ICC to the industry and was working most recently as a member of the ICC cdpACCESS Validation Committee to assure members that our new procedures for maintain the I-Codes worked correctly."
 
Burton served ICC in many capacities, including as a member of the cdpACCESS Steering Committee.
  
A Texas native, Burton graduated from Rockwall High School in 1965 where he was a member of the school's Class 2A state championship football team. He married Linda Louise Dudley in 1966 following a friendship and courtship that began in the third grade. Their daughter, Shelly Rene, was born three years later.

After earning his bachelor's degree from East Texas State University, Burton spent seven years teaching English and history in several school districts in Texas. In 1976, the family relocated to Austin where he followed a love for working with tools and began a career in auto mechanics. In 1985, Burton picked up a different set of tools and started his own custom home building firm, and his passion for codes and the construction and real estate industries was born.

Burton first served as an architectural/technical specialist for the Marvin Window and Door Company's Texas and Mid Atlantic Regions. In 1990, he and Linda moved to the Washington, D.C., area where he continued his work through advocacy, federal legislation and regulatory programs, and the development of building codes and standards for both residential and commercial buildings.

Burton served as NAHB's Senior Vice President for Construction, Codes and Standards for more than 10 years and was a key advocate for home builders as the Code Council's legacy groups began the process of consolidating the regional codes into the International Codes.

"He was just a super nice guy," said NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards committee member Don Pratt, a Michigan home builder. "I first met him through our work on some of the committees for the International Code Council. I was new to the ICC and Ron took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. He was a really great mentor."

"His in-depth knowledge of construction codes and his experience as a home builder meant that he really understood the industry from a practitioner's standpoint," added Home Innovation Research Lab President Michael Luzier, who worked with Burton during his time at NAHB. "Technically competent, easy to talk to, fun to be around, Ron always saw the upside of things."
 
Burton was known for his sense of fashion, particularly his choice of socks.
Burton joined BOMA as Vice President of Advocacy and Research in 2001 and was named Vice President of Codes, Standards and Regulatory Affairs in 2007. He helped to develop BOMA's suite of floor measurement standards; worked on several publications, including BOMA's Guide to the 2010 ADA Standards and the Preventive Maintenance Guidebook; and served in a variety of roles with ICC, ASHRAE, the Consultative Council and the High-Performance Building Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences.

"Ron's influence in the commercial real estate industry cannot be overstated, and he was recognized throughout his career for his superior work representing our industry on many important issues," BOMA said in a statement. "He was a driving force behind BOMA International's successes in the regulatory and codes arenas, and he always worked to ensure that building codes were both effective and reasonable. Always a gentleman, Ron was admired by his colleagues and will be deeply missed."

"I remember the first time I met Ron — it was my first week at BOMA — he knocked on my office door and said, 'Hi, I'm Ron Burton and who are you?'" recalled former coworker Kanwal Saluja. "His unique introduction was so Ron. I loved how he had such a positive way about viewing life and always seemed so happy and content."

In 2012, Burton launched his own successful advocacy and consultation firm, PTW Advisors, LLC that he continued until his death.

In addition to the IAC, cdpACCESS and code development committees, Burton's service with ICC included the Code Development Review Ad Hoc Committee, Codes & Standards Council and the ASC A117 Committee on Architectural Features and Site Design of Public Buildings and Residential Structures for Persons with Disabilities. He was a fixture at code development hearings for years, including most recently for the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in October.

"I won't forget the last conversation I had with him at the IgCC hearings in Fort Lauderdale," said Matt Dobson of the Vinyl Siding Institute. "Ron had an impact on so many, and to me he was the great, endless mentor, friend, and voice of class."

"He could articulate his points elegantly, disagree graciously, champion his causes passionately, pick his battles wisely, and still remain respected and friends with his peers," said Vickie Lovell, President of InterCode Incorporated. "That is a much-to-be admired accomplishment in a profession such as ours which, by its nature, can become somewhat confrontational."
 
(Left to right) Henry Green, Burton, and Jim Sealy at Club Schmitz, a favorite hangout of Burton's in the Dallas area.
  
After Burton left for Washington, D.C., Dallas architect Jim Sealy said he would receive a telephone call whenever ICC, BOMA or AIA were holding events in North Texas. "Long before Ron went to work for BOMA, and moved away from Dallas, he became a regular at Club Schmitz," Sealy recalled. "Every time Ron came home, I would get a call and all that was said was, 'Meet you at The Club.' Well, the club closed this past May and I regret not meeting Ron there one more time."

In addition to his wife and daughter, Burton is survived by his son-in-law, Ross Rebreca, and two grandchildren. The family has requested that donations be made in Ron's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project. Please be sure to complete the acknowledgement section to include Ron's name and the reception address so the family can thank you. For those unable to complete an online donation, you may also send a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75818, Topeka, KS 66675, or call 855-448-3997 and mention Ron's name.