Julie Ruth, American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) code representative, was awarded International Code Committee (ICC) Honorary Member status at the ICC Annual Conference and Expo held in Columbus, Ohio, earlier this month.

This past spring, the ICC Board of Directors requested nominations for 2017 Honorary Members. An Honorary Member is considered to be a person who has been of outstanding service to the ICC. On behalf of AAMA, Diana Hanson, AAMA codes and regulatory affairs manager, submitted a nomination form for Ruth. A second nomination for Ruth was submitted by a member of the ICC Board of Directors.

"Julie is well known among ICC staff as a strong supporter of safety and energy conservation in the built environment," wrote Hanson. "Julie's history includes education and training efforts and many articles in trade publications discussing the I-codes."

Additionally, Ruth has served on many councils and committees over the years, including the International Residential Code (IRC) Building and Energy Code Committee, past chair of the ICC Industry Advisory Council (IAC), ICC Referenced Standards Committee, Sustainability Energy and High-Performance Code Action Committee (SEHPCAC), Code Technology Committee (CTC), Women in Code Enforcement and Development (WICED), and other ICC code change and ad hoc committees.

"I am humbled to have received this distinction from the ICC," said Ruth. "It means a great deal to me because it is one of the few recognitions members of industry are eligible for, within the ICC. The recognition really goes beyond my own participation. It also goes to the commitment AAMA made to the success of the ICC when it was in its infancy, and as it has grown over the last 17 years. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to participate in the ICC, which both they and AAMA have given me."

Ruth has over 30 years of experience in the development and application of building codes (ICC International Codes and legacy codes predating the I-codes). Between 1988 and 1997, Ruth worked for Building Officials and Code Administrators Evaluation Services (BOCA ES). She has represented the fenestration industry in building code development at the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (1997-2000), and then at AAMA (2001-present).

Ruth will be retiring at the end of 2017. Hanson noted that she wished to nominate Ruth in appreciation of her many years of service to the ICC, the code community and AAMA.