Longtime NAHB Member Leader Chip Dence Honored by International Code Council

At its annual conference in Long Beach, Calif., last month, the International Code Council (ICC) posthumously awarded its Meritorious Service Award to Chip Dence, a home builder from Texas and a stalwart on NAHB's Construction Codes and Standards Committee.

Dence passed away in January at the age of 75.

After beginning his career in commercial aviation, Dence transitioned to residential construction in 1984 when he became the co-owner of East End Lumber Co. and East End Builders in Victoria, Texas. He quickly became very involved in NAHB at the local, state and national levels, focusing his attention on building codes and workforce development.

Dence spent decades on NAHB's Construction Codes and Standards Committee and subcommittees, including serving as committee chair. He also was an active participant at many ICC public hearings during code development cycles.

"Although Chip Dence was involved in many activities, he was especially recognized for his expertise in building codes," said Pam Borchert, former EVP of the Crossroads Builders Association, Dence's local HBA. "As a staunch advocate for builders and homeowners, Chip dedicated countless hours to the development and adoption of safe and affordable building codes."

The ICC's Meritorious Service Award is not given out every year. It is granted at the discretion of the ICC Board of Directors to an individual who "has given unselfishly of time and talent in furthering the development of ICC codes and standards."

"Chip will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to improving the home building industry. His work on building codes, preservation of history, and dedication to education will have a lasting impact on future generations of home builders," said Dominic Sims, CEO of ICC.

Dence received numerous honors outside of this work in building code development, including being named Builder Member of the Year six times at his local Crossroads BA and winning builder and remodeler of the year awards from the Texas Association of Builders (TAB). His career was acknowledged in recent years with a lifetime achievement award from TAB and induction into the Texas Housing Hall of Honor in 2017.

"In every conversation, meeting and conference, Chip Dence embodied the spirit of selfless dedication," noted Kimberly Jacobs-Lindsey, EVP of Crossroads BA. "His unwavering love for the housing industry and his commitment to safe and affordable building codes for all will continue to inspire us as we carry his legacy forward. We miss him dearly and will never forget the incredible work he accomplished within the industry."