April 9th, 2021
by Tara Lukasik

The Philadelphia section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) presented International Code Council member Elizabeth Baldwin, P.E., chief code official with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections, with its 2021 Government Service Award. This award is presented to an individual outside the section’s membership for their commendable achievements and remarkable accomplishments. The ASCE, founded in 1852, is America’s oldest national engineering society.

As chief code engineer for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Baldwin leads the development and implementation of Philadelphia’s codes for the safe and lawful construction and use of buildings. She is responsible for the interpretation of codes and the associated programs and procedures required for effective administration and enforcement. She has served in the public sector for more than 20 years, with 14 of those years dedicated to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Baldwin began her career with the Department of Licenses and Inspections as a plans examination engineer and, prior to her current appointment in March 2019, she managed all licensing, permitting and plan review as the permit services director for the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Registered in Pennsylvania as a professional engineer and certified building code official, Baldwin has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Drexel University. She was recently appointed to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review & Advisory Council, which analyzes and proposes changes to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

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.