ICC Appoints Michael Gardner as EVP Compliance Programs

Veteran Association Executive Will Lead Efforts to Optimize Industry Compliance Initiatives

The International Code Council (ICC) has announced the hiring of Michael Gardner as Executive Vice President of Compliance Programs. Gardner will be leading ICC efforts to maximize the association’s performance and achieve its long‐term financial goals. Working with the CEO and presidents of ICC’s Evaluation and Accreditation services, Gardner will work to coordinate strategic efforts, build industry relationships, expand value for clients and manufacturers, and identify new opportunities to help the ICC leverage knowledge and technical expertise to help clients navigate the complexities around the supply chain, from compliance and regulatory issues to market acceptance.

Gardner has served as Executive Director and CEO of the Gypsum Association since 2003, and has served as that industry’s lead building code and national legislative policy liaison. His career in association management began in 1993, when he accepted an opportunity to manage the technical standards and services department and direct the educational foundation at a construction industry member‐service association. In 1998, he joined the staff of the Gypsum Association as its national building code liaison. After serving in a variety of senior staff positions, he became the Executive Director of the organization in October 2003.

“Michael is a seasoned professional with considerable experience in the building codes industry,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, CEO of the International Code Council. “ICC is a strong brand in the industry, and we are committed to working with manufacturers and clients to help them demonstrate specific performance and get their products to market faster. As we pursue an aggressive growth strategy in the area of compliance and assessment, Michael’s industry network and significant experience will provide invaluable leadership and counsel in this effort.”

“Michael’s addition to this organization will further enhance the record growth we are experiencing. I look forward to working with him in order to make ICC‐ES remain the product evaluation agency of choice to manufacturing clients as well as the code officials and specifiers,” said Shahin Moinian, President ICC Evaluation Service.

Chuck Ramani, President of the International Accreditation Service, said “The IAS stands ready to support Michael and to assist him in his efforts to expand and share our knowledge base and support for conformity assessment principles.”

Gardner earned the Certified Association Executive credential in 2008. In 2008 and 2009, he served as Chair of the ASAE Small‐Staff Advisory Committee. He currently serves as Chair of the International Code Council Industry Advisory Committee, and has served on numerous sustainable building standard committees, code committees, foundations and boards. He writes a regular column for an industry publication, and is an instructor and lecturer on both gypsum industry technical issues and small staff association management topics.

Gardner holds a B.A. degree from Hobart College and an M.A. degree from the University of Delaware. He began his professional career in the gypsum industry in 1983 as a sales estimating and marketing representative for a large, commercial contracting firm, a stint that was followed by a series of sales and marketing positions in gypsum contracting and manufacturing.

Gardner has participated in a vast number of industry related activities, including as a member of the ASTM C11 and A5 Committees; as Past Chairman of the ASTM Subcommittee C11.03 on Application of Gypsum and Other Products in Assemblies; as a member of the ANSI/GBI 01‐2010 Committee on Green Building Standards; and as a member of the ANSI/NAHB ICC National Green Building Standard (ICC 700) Consensus Committee.

Gardner will assume his new role with the ICC on April 7, 2014.

The International Code Council is a member‐focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.