October 30th, 2019
by Tara Lukasik

Each year, the International Code Council recognizes peers and colleagues who are a reflection of what the association stands for: dedication to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. The Code Council honored several outstanding individuals and organizations for their accomplishments and contributions to building safety and resiliency in their communities during the 2019 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Lissette Rodriguez-Tomasini and Evelyn Moya Gines accept the 2019 ICC Community Service Award on behalf of the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee from Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes (left) and Committee Chairman Alan Boswell (second from left) during the Government Relations Forum on Oct. 22, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Lissette Rodriguez-Tomasini and Evelyn Moya Gines accept the 2019 ICC Community Service Award on behalf of the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee from Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes (left) and Committee Chairman Alan Boswell (second from left) during the Government Relations Forum on Oct. 22, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev.

The ICC Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service that promotes public health, safety and welfare. The 2019 recipient is the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee for its work to update the Puerto Rico Building Code following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Following hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Puerto Rico Planning Board tasked the Permits Management Office with revising the Puerto Rico Building Code to meet the latest consensus codes and standards. Administrative Order 2017-10 set an aggressive deadline for the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee to “study, evaluate and make recommendations regarding adopted building codes.”

On Nov. 15, 2018, the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee successfully adopted the updated Puerto Rico Building Code, based on the 2018 International Codes published by the International Coe Council. This task could not have been accomplished without the tireless work of the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee leaders, Lissette M. Rodriguez-Tomasini and Evelyn Moya Gines as well as the work of Puerto Rico’s State Hazard Mitigation Officer Jose Valenzuela.

“Lissette and Evelyn worked diligently with local stakeholders and national experts to create a strong, collaborate code,” said Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes in presenting the award. “Jose was instrumental in acquiring funding from FEMA for this effort and ensuring confidence with the Governor of Puerto Rico to achieve the adoption.”

Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee leaders Lissette Rodriguez-Tomasini and Evelyn Moya Gines accepted the award on behalf of the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee during the Government Relations Forum on Oct. 22, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nev.

The International Code Council congratulates the Puerto Rico Construction Code Committee as its 2019 ICC Community Service Award recipient.

View past award recipients.

About the Author
Tara Lukasik
Tara Lukasik is an editor for the International Code Council, working out of its Western Regional Office in Southern California. Starting with the International Conference of Building Officials as the managing editor of its Building Standards Magazine, she has more than 25 years of experience in writing and editing feature content and advancing digital newsletters and magazines from conception to completion. She is currently putting her experience to good use managing the Code Council's Building Safety Journal and its BSJ Weekly newsletter, which connects construction professionals with the Code Council community and the latest industry news and resources. A California native, she enjoys volunteering in her local community and exploring the Golden State with her husband and three spoiled dachshunds. Follow her on Twitter @ICCTLukasik and Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/taralukasik.