Board Profile: Ronald Lynn
Ron Lynn believes the true reward for the time and effort he spends in his professional life is knowing that he is an integral part of leaving a lasting legacy. "To be involved with the construction of buildings is very rewarding . . . These structures are enduring edifices to know that we had something to do with their existence makes me feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day."
|
 |
For Ron Lynn, the building official for Clark County, Nev.,
and International Code Council Secretary/Treasurer, billion dollar
Clark County projects are a part of everyday life. Throughout
its history, Clark County has continuously re-invented itself
as a vacation, entertainment and convention hotspot, and Lynn
has been part of that action for more than 20 years.
 When
Lynn, who holds a geology degree from the University of Nevada-Las
Vegas, began working for Clark County in 1981, the Building
Department had 43 employees. Now it is home to about 500.
Lynn is quick to admit that he couldn't imagine working anywhere
else.
"Clark County is a dynamic environment. State of the
art materials and construction practices which, in many cases
are used nowhere else in the world are often debuted here,"
Lynn said. "Our department is constantly thinking outside
the box for ways to streamline and enhance efficiency to meet
the needs of Clark County's fast-paced construction and development
industries, while at the same time maintaining the highest
quality services. We never restrict ourselves by standing
on tradition."
Because so many of the area's hotel-casinos and high rises
are on the cutting edge, unique and unusual challenges are
an every day occurrence. Lynn said that when an unusual challenge
is faced, the department has experts available in every field,
as well as access to a broad spectrum of professionals worldwide.
He added that, because of Clark County's many complex construction
projects, his department also fields one to two calls each
week from ICC members in the U.S., as well as globally, looking
for help with unusual technical challenges. This national
and international communication and exchange of information
underscores one simple fact-building and fire officials around
the world comprise one community.
According to Lynn, "there's a synergy of mutual support
among the building community. Everyone touching the built
environment is involved in the sharing of knowledge that's
necessary to ensure the safety of our communities."
Lynn credits ICC as being an essential part of his department's
success. "With ICC, you have both large and small jurisdictions,
which allows the organization to relate to all areas of the
world of construction," said Lynn. "We depend on
ICC's codes, evaluation and accreditation services, and we
are a major user of its educational programs. Keeping up-to-date
through education is the backbone of our success."
 While
Lynn is sure of ICC's impact on Clark County and other national
jurisdictions, he feels ICC needs to strive to have more influence
worldwide by enhancing services for a global market and creating
a worldwide contact network with safety as its focus. ICC
and its members should lend a hand in providing expertise
to help other countries construct structures that are safer
and more resilient during disaster situations.
Lynn explained that "it's not about what we, as an organization,
can get; it's about what we can give. ICC can make a difference
worldwide by exporting ideas of a safe environment and spreading
the belief that quality saves—it doesn't cost."
"One of the most significant challenges ICC has is to
use its ability to prioritize among the many issues currently
facing fire and building officials. It is essential we obtain
member feedback to assist in finding a focus for the future.
Further, as a relatively conservative organization, it would
be wise to become more comfortable with taking risks. For
it is only through expanding horizons that we have the opportunity
to reach our full potential for our members and our communities,"
Lynn said.
Lynn believes the true reward for the time and effort he
spends in his professional life is knowing that he is an integral
part of leaving a lasting legacy. "To be involved with
the construction of both residential and commercial buildings
is very rewarding. These structures are enduring edifices;
to know that we had something to do with their existence makes
me feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day."
As a self-described collaborator, he is happy to use his
strengths for the betterment of ICC. His conceptual and strategic
nature has been an asset for bringing people together to come
to a resolution, which is rooted in his belief that results
are what matters. "As a building official, I can't afford
to have a fear of making decisions," he added.
Lynn said the true reward for the time and effort he spends
in his professional life is knowing that he is an integral
part of a legacy. "To be involved in the construction
of structures is very rewarding . . . These buildings will
be here forever; to know that I had something to do with their
existence makes me feel a sense of accomplishment at the end
of the day."
 Outside
of work, Lynn can be found taking part in many other activities
with his wife, Denise, and their three children, ages 11,
17 and 21. As a former football, swimming and track athlete
and college swimming coach, he especially enjoys his role
as a Little League coach.
"If you fail two out of three times, you can still be
in the Hall of Fame," Lynn said. "Baseball, as in
life, is the practice of continuing to hone your skills, to
be ready for the unexpected, and to daily strive for your
best."
Lynn thanks his managers Greg Franklin, Gary Houk, Ted Droessler
and Neil Burning, his administrative secretary Gabrielle Shilling
and secretary Carol Carter, as well as all of his "incredible"
staff. He said praise also goes to ICC staff, the "strength"
of the organization.
|
