Individuals honored for their contributions to safety and resiliency in the built environment during 2021

The International Code Council honored outstanding individuals and organizations for their accomplishments and service to their communities, the building safety industry and the Code Council during the 2021 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bobby J. Fowler Award — William Dupler

The Bobby J. Fowler Award honors the memory of the first chairman of the Code Council Board of Directors who led the charge to consolidate three regional model code organizations into one association. This award is presented to a leader who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and compassion. This year’s Bobby J. Fowler Award was presented to William “Bill” D. Dupler, a past president of the Code Council Board of Directors (2011–2012) and former Deputy County Administrator for Community Development for Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Pictured is Dupler (left) as he receives the 2021 Bobby J. Fowler Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (center) and International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims (right) during the ICC Leadership Luncheon on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award — James Moss

The Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award is awarded to an individual whose contributions advance the code enforcement profession and the Code Council’s mission. The award is presented in honor of the founders of the three model code organizations: Albert H. Baum, M.L. Clement and Phil Roberts. This year’s Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year is James S. Moss, CBO, CBMO, project manager for the city of Galax, Virginia, and immediate past president of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association.

Pictured is Moss (center) as he receives the 2021 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) and Code Council Board President Greg Wheeler (left) during the ICC Connections Gala on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award — Michael O’Brian

The Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award (formerly the ICC Fire Service Award) is presented in honor of Robert W. Gain, a founder of the Uniform Fire Code and a prominent member of the organizations that created the International Fire Code. The award is given to a member whose professional abilities and leadership serve as an example to all fire prevention and fire protection professionals. The recipient of this year’s Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award is Fire Chief Michael D. O’Brian CFO, with the Brighton Area Fire Authority in Michigan.

Pictured is O’Brian (second from right) as he receives the 2021 Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) and Code Council Board President Greg Wheeler (left) during the ICC Connections Gala on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

ICC Educator of the Year Award — Glenn Mathewson

The ICC Educator of the Year Award recognizes excellence in promoting professional development. The award is given in memory of Brent Snyder, a renowned Code Council educator and Past Presiding Officer, for his calm and inspiring leadership. This year’s ICC Educator of the Year is Glenn G.A. Mathewson, MCP, president and instructor at BuildingCodeCollege.com.

Pictured is Mathewson (right) as he receives the 2021 ICC Educator of the Year Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (left) during the Safety 2.0 reception on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

ICC Community Service Award — Mike Haugen

The ICC Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service that promotes public health, safety and welfare. This year’s recipient is Mike Haugen, director of Code Services for the city of Topeka, Kansas.

Pictured is Haugen (center) as he receives the 2021 ICC Community Service Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (left) and International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims (right) during the Safety 2.0 reception on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Meritorious Service Award — Rocco Davis

The ICC Meritorious Service Award is granted to an individual who has given unselfishly of time and talent in furthering the development of ICC codes and standards. Rocco Davis, vice president  and special assistant to the general president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, was presented this year’s award.

ICC Raising the Profile Award — Jason Bush

The ICC Raising the Profile Award recognizes an individual or organization for acts or contributions that raise the public awareness of accomplishments by code personnel that improve public safety in the built environment. This year’s recipient of the 2021 ICC Raising the Profile Award is Jason Bush, CBO, building official with the city of Cottage Grove in Oregon.

Pictured is Bush (left) as he receives the 2021 ICC Raising the Profile Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) during the Safety 2.0 reception on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Excellence in Public Safety Award — Henry Kelly

The Excellence in Public Safety Award is granted to a member of the building safety industry who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and dedication to public service. This year’s recipient is Henry “Hank” J. Kelly Jr., a homebuilder from New Jersey and founder and chief executive officer at the Kelly Group, Inc.

Pictured is Kelly (left) as he receives the 2021 ICC Excellence in Public Safety Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (center) and International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims (right) during the Pittsburgh Welcome event on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chapter of the Year Award — Central Arizona Chapter

The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary performance by an International Code Council chapter in promoting the goals and mission of the Code Council. This year’s recipient of the ICC Chapter of the Year Award is the Central Arizona Chapter.

Pictured is Larry Taylor (left), plan review and inspection manager with the town of Gilbert in Arizona and Central Arizona Chapter president, as he accepts the 2021 Chapter of the Year Award on behalf of the Central Arizona Chapter from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) during the Chapter Presidents Meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chapter Merit Awards — Chemeketa Chapter and the Los Angeles Basin Chapter

The Chapter Merit Awards recognize chapters that distinguish themselves through activities demonstrating the Code Council’s goals and objectives. The Chemeketa Chapter and the Los Angeles Basin Chapter are recognized this year for their commitment to member education, their service to their respective communities and raising the profile of building professionals.

Pictured is Daniel Dabler (right), MCP, building inspector III with the Clark County Building Department in Washington, as he accepts the 2021 Chapter Merit Award on behalf of the Chemeketa Chapter from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (left) during the Chapter Presidents Meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pictured is Celine Sarkisloo (left), building code specialist at the city of Glendale in California and Los Angeles Basin Chapter vice president, as she accepts the 2021 Chapter Merit Award on behalf of the Los Angeles Basin Chapter from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) during the Chapter Presidents Meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Trailblazer Award — Frederick Herzberger

The ICC Trailblazer Award, established this year, seeks to inspire the Code Council membership to reach out and serve as mentors to guide others in their code-related careers, especially those who are relatively new to the professions. Based on the nominations sent in by Code Council members and chapters, the Trailblazer Award will annually recognize an outstanding example of a recent mentor-mentee relationship. This year’s Trailblazer Award is presented posthumously to Frederick “Rick” Herzberger, chief building official for the city of McKinney in Texas, who passed away unexpectedly on May 1, 2021, from a sudden stroke.

Pictured is Dana Stillwell (left), project expedited with the city of McKinney, and Jeff Harris (right), chief plans examiner with the city of McKinney, as they accept the 2021 ICC Trailblazer Award on behalf of Herzberger from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (center) during the Emerging Leaders Membership Council meeting on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Innovation in Code Administration Award — City of Modesto, California

The Innovation in Code Administration Award recognizes fire and building departments for innovation in the delivery of code administration services to their communities. Jointly sponsored by the International Code Council Government Relations Department, the ICC Fire Service Membership Council and the ICC Building Membership Council, award recognizes fire and building departments for new and innovative approaches to delivering code administration services as part of their overall approach to community risk reduction. The city of Modesto, California, was presented with this year’s award for its “Plan Check with Us” program.

National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Awards — Ana Salguiero and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network

The National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth and enhancement of codes or public policy espousing the principles of the Code Council Sustainability Membership Council. The awards honor states, cities, towns and individuals who go above and beyond to raise compliance with building energy codes—and by doing so, help unlock billions in savings and improve the efficiency of America’s new and existing buildings and homes using cost-effective, practical, and innovative strategies. This year’s recipients of the 2021 National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Awards are Ana Salguiero, building official for Miami Beach, Florida, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network.

ICC Global Membership Award — Abdul Latif Helaly

The ICC Global Membership Award recognizes distinguished service to the Code Council’s global mission and vision. This year’s recipient of the 2021 ICC Global Membership Award is Engineer Abdul Latif Helaly, project director of the Urban Resilience Project: RAJUK part.

PMG Leadership Award — Daniel Rademacher

The PMG Leadership Award recognizes distinguished service to the Code Council’s global mission and vision. is given to an individual or organization for exceptional service to the plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pool/spa (PMG) industry. The award recognizes contributions in one or more of the following categories: growth and enhancement of PMG codes and standards, advocacy in state and local code adoptions, publication of PMG technical articles or research papers, advancement of PMG knowledge through training and education, extensive Code Council committee or council service, development of innovative PMG products and services, or notable advancement of the PMG industry. This year’s recipient of the 2021 PMG Leadership Award is Daniel Rademacher, program manager of the Viega Trades Education Network.

Pictured is Rademacher (center), program manager of the Viega Trades Education Network, as he accepts the 2021 PMG Leadership Award from ICC Awards Committee Chair Shirley Ellis (right) during the PMG Membership Council meeting on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“The Code Council would like to thank all of our members and organizations for their countless hours of work and dedication to making the association and the building safety industry better,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, CEO, International Code Council. “Congratulations to all of our 2021 award winners for their fantastic achievements and well-deserved recognition.”