Texas Building Official Olk to Chair ICC Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas Officials Council

New Council will serve needs of PMG officials and industry professionals

Jim Olk, city of Farmers Branch, Tex., and a past Building Officials of Texas President, has been named chair of the newly created ICC Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Officials Membership Council Governing Committee. The ICC Board approved five discipline-specific Membership Councils: Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas; Building Officials; Fire Service; Global Members; and Sustainability, including energy. Each Council will advocate for concerns and issues that are of particular importance to its discipline.

“The advantage of the PMG Council is that it is industry specific,” Olk said. “We’re not dealing in the broader aspects of building and fire code issues and their interrelation. We are dealing with the specific trades of plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pools, and their interrelationship. These industries are very specific in what they do and how they go about their business and deserve special attention.”

Through this Governing Committee, the Membership Councils will:

• Build and improve relationships with all stakeholders who have a specific interest in the activities of the PMG Membership Council;
• Provide opportunities to enhance the understanding, acceptance and adoption of ICC codes related to the scope of the Membership Council;
• Make recommendations for ICC training, certification and other programs specific to the interests of the PMG Membership Council;
• Keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the association’s activities; and
• Act as an advocate for professional or technical interest areas and receive feedback.

“Having sat on the International Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas Code Council for a number of years now, I’ve got a good feel for what goes on, who the players are and how it all comes together,” Olk said. “I’m certainly not coming into this blind. “I started in this industry in the plumbing business, so it just makes sense that this is where my focus is for ICC. I look forward to helping out in any way that I can to improve the system and our industry.”

McKenzie James, Plumbing Inspector for the city of Portland, Ore., will serve as Vice Chair of the Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas Officials Membership Council. Council members are: Wes Davis, Air Conditioning Contractors of America; Carvin DiGiovanni, Association of Pool & Spa Professionals; Darrin Drollinger, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers; Michael Fink, city of Philadelphia; Donnie Green, Green Plumbing Company; Eli Howard, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association; Jim Kendzel, American Society of Plumbing Engineers; Kenneth Kerr, American Backflow Prevention Association; Roger Rotundo, city of Phoenix; Bob Scott, Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers; and Charles Withers, National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

“Receiving guidance and input from these experts will not only enhance safety in the disciplines of plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pools but will undoubtedly have a direct positive impact on our industry as a whole,” according to ICC senior staff and liaison for the new PMG Council Jay Peters. “I am proud of the diverse talent and vast knowledge represented on this council and look forward to getting started.”

Details on how Members may affiliate with the PMG Membership Council will be announced soon. There is no charge for participation and everyone interested in plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pools is urged to monitor the ICC website for announcements, to get involved and to enroll in the PMG Membership Council.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, 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. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.