ICC-ES eNews

Letter to ICC-ES eNews Readers — ICC-ES: Improving and Growing

As the new president of ICC-ES, I would like to introduce myself and provide a brief summary of my experience and the vision and goals I have for ICC Evaluation Service.

I began my career with a Code Council legacy organization, the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO). Over the span of 22 years with ICBO and now ICC, I have been responsible for management oversight of product and business development, international services, publications, marketing, sales, and customer service.

Over the past months, I have worked closely with ICC-ES and its customers to refine its business model and have introduced new initiatives to improve the customer experience and create more efficient methods within the core business process. I would like to share with you a few of the changes and new initiatives that have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.

Senior Management Reorganization


Michael Beaton		Kurt Stochlia		Gary Nichols

As President of ICC-ES, my commitment to maintaining the technical excellence that has always existed within ICC-ES is of utmost importance. I am pleased to announce personnel changes that will expand technical capabilities, improve customer service and develop new programs and services, while maintaining the integrity of ICC Evaluation Service.

Michael Beaton, P.E., has been named Senior Vice President of ICC-ES. In his new role, Mr. Beaton will manage daily operations of ICC-ES, and ensure the implementation of service improvements and business strategies.

Kurt Stochlia, P.E., has been appointed Technical Director. Mr. Stochlia will be responsible for ICC-ES technical policy and represent ICC-ES in technical activities with national and international organizations.

Gary Nichols, P.E., continues in his capacity as Vice President of Birmingham Operations with responsibility in helping Mr. Stochlia establish and implement ICC-ES technical policy in the Birmingham and Chicago district offices.

All three are long-term employees of ICC-ES and their former legacy organizations. They have exhibited extraordinary skills in addressing the technical and competitive challenges of today’s business environment.

New Customer Relations Team

A new customer relations team has been formed to improve the application experience. Each application will be reviewed as it is received for administrative accuracy and technical requirements. This team will also identify those applications that may require minimal review for items such as editorial revisions, simple technical revisions or private label report applications. A review of the applicant’s quality documentation will be conducted separately from the technical review with the intended result of expediting the entire review process.

Expanded Communication Initiatives

Leveraging the ICC communication channels as well as partnerships, we are focused on adding value to our customers by educating the construction industry on new and innovative products that have been issued a report or listing with ICC-ES. As part of this effort, we have developed CDs containing pertinent information about ICC-ES reports and listings that are included in the I-Codes; webpage templates for use by jurisdictions, ICC chapters and organizations; webinars that offer CEUs are scheduled through the end of the year; and we are implementing several campaigns that are designed to enhance the visibility of our report holders and listees as well as the code officials who utilize our reports and listings. Finally, we continuously utilize our partnerships to provide links to our reports and listings within the codes and on other industry websites.

New Business Opportunities

As you may be aware, last year we launched both the ICC-ES PMG Product Listing Service and the Sustainable Attributes Verification of Attributes (SAVE) Program.

The ICC-ES PMG Listing Program assists those who enforce codes in determining whether a plumbing, mechanical or fuel gas product complies not only with applicable standards but also with applicable codes. Our program is unique in that code compliance is not normally covered in listing programs. Our program will also include ongoing inspections to ensure that the manufacturing process for the approved product remains consistent.

ICC-ES PMG evaluates products based on requirements in one or more codes, including the International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Residential Code, International Fuel Gas Code, Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code.

The ICC-ES SAVE™ Program is based on guidelines for sustainability. Evaluation under this program results in a Verification of Attributes Report™ (VAR™), which will provide trusted product information designed to help verify that products may qualify for points under major green rating systems such as: US Green Building Council’s LEED GBI’s Green Globes, ICC 700 - National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and the California Green Building Code. A VAR (Verification of Attributes Report) from ICC-ES gives manufacturers proof they can show their customers that the sustainability of their product is indeed verified, a significant advantage in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Code officials, designers and specifiers know to look for products evaluated under SAVE.

In closing, I would like to invite each of you to contact me directly if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. My door is always open and I encourage and welcome your feedback.

Mark Johnson

President

ICC Evaluation Service