Code Council’s Tidwell to Retire

International Code Council Deputy Senior Vice President of Government Relations Jim Tidwell has announced he is retiring on May 15.

“My career with the Code Council has been extremely rewarding; the opportunities virtually endless.” Tidwell said. “My goal now is to incorporate more time with family and hobbies while promoting public safety in the code arena through a small consulting business.”

Tidwell began his tenure at the Code Council in 2003, and is credited with developing the association’s fire services programs, and then helping guide the transformation of the Government Relations function into a team of experts from multiple disciplines.

Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland said “what is especially remarkable about Jim is his ability to reach across the different backgrounds that make up our membership. Thanks to Jim’s work, we are closer today to our vision of an effective, multi-disciplinary organization.”

In his job as Deputy Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Tidwell supervised the work of field managers across the United States from both the building and fire disciplines, and provided budget and managerial support to Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes.

“Public safety and fire prevention were always at the top of Jim’s agenda,” said Yerkes. “As a result the International Fire Code is now adopted in 42 states at the state or local level and in Washington, D.C.”

Tidwell served on the first ICC Board of Directors and the International Conference of Building Official’s board. He was a 30-year veteran of the Fort Worth Fire Department where he served in every rank including Chief. He participated in a number of fire-related activities and organizations, including the ICC Fire Code Council, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute and its National Advisory Committee.

Code Council Board President Adolf Zubia, Fire Chief in Las Cruces, New Mexico, added “I will miss Jim’s input and leadership, but am pleased to know he will work with us on a smooth transition in the next few months so our colleagues in the fire service understand the Council’s commitment to them is not going to change.”

The Code Council will celebrate Tidwell’s accomplishments and wish him well in his retirement on May 5 in Washington, D.C., at its Capitol Hill Day Reception during Building Safety Week.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.