Ray Tonjes is the President and founder of Ray Tonjes Builder, Inc., a homebuilding company based in Austin, Texas which specializes in mainstream, high performance custom homes and renovations.

Ray has been a proponent of energy efficient construction since the energy crisis of the 1970’s.  In 1985, he became one of the first “Austin Energy Star” builders in Austin as part of their initial aggressive conservation program.  This program evolved into the nation’s first green building program (established 1991).   Ray continues to advocate at all levels for the improvement of energy efficiency and participation in green building programs.

A 36-year veteran of the home building industry, Ray is Chair Emeritus of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Sustainable & Green Building Subcommittee, having served as the Chairman from 2001-2008, 2017, 2018 and a founding member since 1999. He also served (2008-2009) as a NAHB National Vice President and a member of the NAHB Green Building Task Force. 

Ray was the founding Director/Chairman of the Board (2004-2014), Executive Committee 2004-present, for the Green Building Initiative, a national non-profit organization (est. 2004).   He has also served on the City of Austin's “Zero-Energy Capable Home 2015” Task Force, Energy Efficiency Upgrades Task Force, and the State of Texas Residential Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (HB3070).  He was the Vice Chairman of the ICC-700 (National Green Building Standard) Consensus Committee from 2011-2012

Ray was the 2005 President of the Texas Association of Builders (TAB), the 2003 Chairman of the NAHB Custom Home Builder Committee and the 1998 President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin.  In 2009, Ray was a finalist for the inaugural Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing.  In November 2016, he was honored as the 20th inductee into the TAB Housing Hall of Honor.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Ray made Austin his home following his (1971-1977) service as a pilot with the United States Air Force.  He and his wife, Rosemary, have two grown children, a son-in-law and granddaughter. 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

•  National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
National Vice President, 2008-2009
Member, Green Building Task Force, 2008 - 2009
Member, Green Builder Subcommittee, 1999-2019
Chairman, Green Builder Subcommittee, 2001-2008, 2017-2018
Chairman, Custom Home Builder Committee, 2003
Member, Executive Committee, 2003, 2008, 2009
Life Director, 1996-present

•   Texas Association of Builders (TAB)
President, 2005
President Elect, 2004
Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, 2003
Co-Chairman, Government Relations Committee, 2002-2003
Co-Chairman, Building Standards Task Force, 2002-2003
Chairman, Long Range Planning, 2001
Chairman, Contracts Task Force, 2000-2001
Life Director, 2004-present

•  Home Builders Association of Greater Austin  (HBAGA)
President, 1998
Executive Committee, 1995-1999
Chair, Custom Builder Council, 1996, 2000, 2012-2014
Steering Committee, 1994-2004, 2011-2015
Member, 1983-present

•  City of Austin
Member, Green Building Program, 1991-present
Member, Energy Efficiency Upgrades Task Force, 2008-2009
Member, Zero Energy Capable Home 2015 Task Force, 2006-2008
Chairman, Green Building Task Force, 1999-2001
Member, Austin Energy Star, 1985-1991

•  State of Texas
Member, Residential Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (HB3070)
Member, Energy Code Stakeholders Group (2001-present)

•  Green Building Initiative  (founding member / national non-profit)
Chairman of the Board, 2004-2014
Board of Directors, 2004-present

•  Awards/Recognition
2012 recipient, President’s Choice - Custom Builder of the Year (HBA of Greater Austin)
2009 nominee, The Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing
2008 recipient, Lifetime Achievement in Green Building Advocacy (by NAHB Green Building Awards)
2008 recipient, Builder of the Year (by TAB)
2016 TAB Housing Hall of Honor

•  Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker, 1983 - present

•  Better Business Bureau, 1988 - 2018