| Industry professionals honored for contributions to safety and resiliency in the built environment. |
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| From left: International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, Gerald H. Jones, 2016 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award recipient Richard Witt and International Code Council Board of Directors Member and Awards Committee Chairman William Jeff Bechtold. |
| "We have the honor to recognize our peers and colleagues for outstanding contributions to safety in the built environment," said International Code Council Board of Directors President Alex Olszowy during Tuesday's Awards Luncheon at the ICC Annual Conference in Kansas City, Mo. "All of our award recipients have provided outstanding contributions to public safety, public service and our association."
The International Code Council honored several industry professionals for their contributions to a safer and more resilient built environment: |
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| Richard Witt recipient of 2016 Code Official of the Year Award. The International Code Council Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award is given to an individual whose contributions to the code enforcement profession are meritorious. The individual must demonstrate professional abilities that are an example for all members of the code enforcement profession, and advance the cause of safety in the built environment. The award is presented in recognition of service by the founders of the three model code organizations: Albert H. Baum, M.L. Clement, and Phil Roberts. The 2016 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award recipient is Richard Witt, Building Official in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Richard C. Witt has dedicated his professional career for over 30 years to Building Safety at the local, state and national levels. Rick is a lifetime member of the Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association, as well as serving as an Executive Committee Member for the ICC Region VII since its formation. Most recently Rick has served as the Vice Chair of the ICC Codes and Standards Council, and Chair of the Board of International Professional Standards (BIPS), the Professional Development Council, and the Certification Committee. As part of his duties on the Codes and Standards Council, he has advised, prepared and testified on code changes, while always maintaining the philosophy of providing the best building safety standards possible. His service to VBCOA includes a seven year position as Legislative Chair, coordinating with lobbyists and members of the Virginia General Assembly to gain a 100% success rate on bills that affected the building community. His work as the Virginia Director of Regulatory Compliance — a Governor-appointed position, was supported by his Code Official peers, as the Building Official's representative on the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Board (DHCD). Rick was instrumental in the expansion and growth of the Virginia Building Code Academy; as well as, what is now the Building Code Academy Advisory Committee (BCAAC). He has worked tirelessly to recognize many ICC members by recommending them for code development committee service and seeking others out to apply for committee service. Ronald Lilley honored with 2016 ICC Fire Service Award. The Fire Service Award recognizes an ICC Member whose service, professional abilities and leadership is exemplary in fire code development. It is presented in honor of Robert W. Gain, a founder of the Uniform Fire Code. The 2016 International Code Council Fire Service Award recipient is Ronald S. Lilley, Captain of the Goodyear Fire Department in Arizona. Captain Ronald S. Lilley began his service with the Goodyear Fire Department in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter and by 1991, he was hired as a full-time firefighter. Captain Lilley led a comprehensive overhaul of the Fire Prevention division of the Goodyear Fire Department to uncover and address any deficiencies. Another creation is the citizen volunteer program known as the Fire Prevention Assistance Program (FPAT). It is designed to complete and process low hazard inspections for local businesses, and is dedicated to their community's health, safety and welfare by finding, enforcing, and ensuring compliance of low hazard inspections. In 2013, Captain Lilley was presented the Firefighter of the Year Award. He is also a member of the Arizona State Fire Marshal Association, and the Arizona Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Newport Beach, Calif., presented 2016 ICC Community Service Award. The ICC Community Service Award recognizes meritorious service that promotes public health, safety and welfare by initiating activities that are above and beyond. The recipient of the 2016 ICC Community Service Award is the city of Newport Beach, Calif., Building Division. The city of Newport Beach's Building Division employs a group of 32 dedicated and talented team members who strive to provide the very best level of service to meet the varied and complex demands of a robust community. The services that are provided by the Newport Beach's Building Division is a strong commitment to serving the community, which includes guaranteed next day inspections and 80 percent of plan reviews completed at the counter. In 2015, the Building Division staff provided permitting, plan review, and inspection services to an amazing $650 million permit valuation, an all-time record for the City of Newport Beach. Recently the iPERMIT was launched by the city of Newport Beach Building Division — an online permitting system, which allows the public to obtain permits through the City’s web portal, and offers a large number of different types of permits, including permits for new electric vehicle charging stations. In 2016, they were the recipient of the 2015 California Building Department of the Year, recognized by the California Building Officials for their commitment to the codes and extensive community outreach. Recently, the City Council approved the Newport Dividend Program, which waves plan check, permit, and other development fees for residential projects, which totaled over $2 million waived fees for residents and a benefit to the community. The Building Division staff participates in Volunteer day. As beaches are an important part of the Newport community, the staff felt it was important to keep the beaches clean from trash. They invest in educating the public on the latest technology, code changes, and interpretations through seminars and workshops, which are offered free of charge. Each event is attended by 30 to 60 members of the public. Michael Graham recipient of 2016 ICC Affiliate Award. The International Code Council Affiliate Award is presented in honor of Ron Burton, John Fies [Fees], Wilbur H. Lind and Alton Riddick. The award recipient demonstrates the qualities of integrity, professionalism, and dedication through service to the profession. The 2016 recipient of the ICC Affiliate Award is Michael J. Graham, CFM and the Vice President of Operations for SmartVent Products, Inc. As a pioneer in Floodplain Management, Michael J. Graham recognized early on in his career that effective flood management helps to lessen the devastating effects of water-borne destruction. Mike has been active in Floodplain Management for over 15 years and was one of the first four Floodplain Managers in New Jersey, and a founding member of the New Jersey Association of Floodplain Management (NJAFM). He is a Past President, and current Co-Chair of the NJAFM Educational Conference Committee, a member of the ASCE Flood resistant Construction Committee and the ASFPM Flood-proofing Committee. In 1999, Mike started work on the development of a line of Engineered Flood Vents, called Smart Vent. Working with ICC Evaluation Service, Mike developed the first ever Performance Acceptance Criteria for automatic foundation flood vents. Yasmeen Sami Saadah receives 2016 Raising the Profile Award. The Raising the Profile Award recognizes an individual or organization for acts or contributions that raise the public awareness of accomplishments by code personnel that improve public safety in the built environment. This year's Raising the Profile Award went to Yasmeen Sami Saadah, Division Director of Municipal Regulations for the Abu Dhabi Municipality, United Arab Emirates, and who recently was the Head of the Sustainability Unit, Town Planning, also in Abu Dhabi. Saadah has made a significant contribution both nationally and internationally for promoting the cause of ICC. She has served as a member of many national and local committees, such as: Chairperson of the Consultants Committee for the Emirates of Abu Dhabi; UAE Federal Renewable Energy Board; and she was a Representative and Committee member of the International Accreditation Services. Steve Burger presented 2016 ICC Educator of the Year Award. The ICC Educator of the Year Award is given to an individual or organization on the recommendation of the Education Committee. It recognizes excellence in education and promoting professional development among ICC Members. The award is given in memory of Brent Snyder for his contributions to ICC Members to further their educational pursuits and professional development. The 2016 recipient is Steve Burger, Chief Building Official, LEED AP, Certified Code Official. |
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