by Holly Robinson
October 12, 2011 9:22 AM
Ronald Boorstein, who has worked in the self storage industry for twenty-one years, was inducted into the 2011 Self Storage Hall of Fame. Those inducted have made meritorious contributions to the self storage industry and to the Self Storage Association. The ceremony was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Boorstein, a Harvard Law School graduate, had a successful law practice in Chicago before he became interested in self storage. One of his clients, who was in real estate, suggested that Boorstein look into storage facilities. So he flew to Los Angeles and met with Wayne Hughes, founder of Public Storage, to learn about the industry.
In 1990, he opened a facility in Mundelein, Illinois, adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway. Millions of people driving along the freeway saw his towering sign for his business.
At that time, his established innovative features for his business such as drive-through aisles, direct vehicle access to indoor units, and climate-controlled units. He designed a key lock system which is now an industry standard. The MiniStorage Messenger named his facility the Facility of the Year.
The Self Service Storage Association elected Boorstein to two consecutive terms as president. At that time, the association was experiencing financial difficulties. Under his direction, he led the association to a stronger financial standing by limiting the number of trade shows and consolidating some of the Associations regions.
He was an advocate of creating a code of ethics and his work led to the establishment and acceptance of the code.
Boorstein used his legal expertise throughout his career in the self storage industry. He provided legal counsel for numerous self storage owners. There has been an ironic twist in this, however. Two storage facilities that are in direct competition with his retained him as their lawyer.
In addition to his work in the self storage industry and legal world, Boorstein participated on the board of directors for his temple. He helped raise money for families in need,for the University of Michigan and the Harvard Law School, and donated many hours of volunteer work to his temple.
Sources Used:
"People on the Move." Lake County News-Sun; 12 October 2011.
"News Makers." Vernon Hills Review; 12 October 2011.
2011 Self Storage Hall of Fame; September 2011.