Longtime NAHB Member Leader Chip Dence Honored by International Code Council

Codes and Standards
Published
Chip Dence

Calvin "Chip" Dence

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.”

Jim Tobin accepting award
NAHB CEO Jim Tobin accepts the award on behalf of the Dence family and NAHB.

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.”

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Student Chapters | Workforce Development

Jul 25, 2025

NAHB's Student Chapters Helped Give Her Confidence to Pivot Careers

Zhetique Gunn's early exposure to building and problem-solving has led to national recognition and a city-level impact as an urban planner in Washington, D.C.

Jul 24, 2025

Federal Court Upholds New York State Gas Ban

The federal court for the Northern District of New York on July 23 upheld New York state’s “gas ban” legislation. New York’s legislation is the first statewide law that restricts natural gas use in new buildings, effectively banning gas stoves and other fossil fuel appliances in most new construction starting in 2026.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jul 25, 2025

Market Share of 5,000+ Square Foot New Homes Started Declines in 2024

In 2024, there were 24,000 homes that exceeded 5,000 square feet, equating to a 2.3% market share of all new homes started. Both the number and market share for 5,000+ square foot homes experienced declines from 2023, according to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC).

Economics

Jul 24, 2025

New Home Sales Hold Steady at a Relatively Tepid Level

Challenging affordability conditions, elevated interest rates and economic uncertainty continue to act as headwinds on the housing sector as many potential buyers continue to stay on the sidelines.

Economics

Jul 23, 2025

Existing Home Sales Retreat to 9-Month Low

Existing home sales fell to 9-month low in June as home prices hit another monthly record high, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sluggish pace of sales suggest that higher mortgage rates and elevated home prices are continuing to sideline buyers, despite improved inventory conditions.