John Burpee is 34th Recipient of NBBI’s Highest Honor
When John Burpee learned he had been selected as the 34th recipient of the National Board’s highest honor, his reaction was immediate.
“I was shocked, quite honestly,” he said. “I’ve always considered that award to be something at the end of a career.”
That humility has defined a career spanning more than 25 years in boiler and pressure vessel safety. Named after National Board founder C.O. Myers, the award recognizes individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on industry safety, placing Burpee among what he calls “legends.”
“Personally, I’ve always felt like I was just doing my job,” said Burpee, a U.S. Navy veteran who is the 34th recipient of the award and will be honored May 13 at the General Meeting in Denver.
Burpee began his inspection career with HSB in 1994 and became Maine’s chief boiler inspector in 1999. He inherited a program that had been without leadership or technical staff for more than a year and rebuilt it into a stable, self-sustaining operation.
“That’s probably what I’m most proud of,” he said. “Taking a program that was neglected and making it viable and making it self-sustaining.”
Among his many accomplishments was helping guide the adoption of updated regulations, including the 2023 National Board Inspection Code and ASME codes – a process that took nearly two decades.
“It took a long time to move that forward,” he said, “but getting it across the finish line was significant.”
Throughout his career, Burpee remained deeply involved with the National Board. He served on the Board of Trustees, including terms as Member at Large (2010 to 2014), Chair (2014 to 2017), and First Vice Chair (2019 to 2025).
That experience broadened his role from technical expert to industry leader.
“You realize people are listening,” he said. “You’re helping shape the direction of the organization.”
Now serving as a jurisdictional liaison, he continues to support members across North America.
For Burpee, the importance of the work has always come down to one thing: public safety.
“You’re protecting people who don’t even know they need to be protected,” he said. “It’s about making sure nothing happens.”
For those who nominated him, Burpee’s impact is anything but quiet.
“His knowledge, experience, and dedication have been a steadfast pillar to the National Board organization,” said Illinois Chief Inspector Patrick Polick, one of five individuals to nominate Burpee for the award. “There is no candidate more worthy of this recognition.”
In his nomination, Louisiana Chief Rhett Termini said Burpee’s “leadership skills, along with his extensive knowledge, experience, and passion, are an example to us all.”
Still, Burpee remains characteristically modest.
“I’ve just been doing what needed to be done,” he said.