Ron Smart has stared down federal regulators — and lived to tell the tale.

And he didn't just survive. The efforts of Smart's company, Salt Lake-based Won-Door, to change regional and national building codes have led to an explosion of growth for the company, which manufactures folding partitions and accordion-style sliding doors for churches, museums, schools, office buildings and more.

When Smart took the reins in 1979, he focused on education and training, and regulations changed. Now, Won-Door's product is the single legally approved fire-rated exit door alternative to traditional swinging doors.

Smart was also instrumental in helping Won-Door convert its distribution system to a network of branch offices.

Guiding Won-Door through the major changes, Smart led the company to open 24 U.S. branches and two regional sales offices. The move cut costs and increased customers.

Smart plans to expand Won-Door's U.S. distribution base with more branch offices. He also will oversee expansion of the company's budding markets in Europe and Asia.