International Code Council Honors Building Safety Professionals at 2024 Annual Conference

During the International Code Council’s 2024 Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA, individuals, chapters, and organizations were honored for their accomplishments and service to their communities, the building safety industry, and the Code Council.

The following awards were presented during the 2024 Code Council’s Annual Conference

The Bobby J. Fowler Award  honors the legacy of the organization’s first chair of the Board of Directors. The award is presented to a leader who demonstrates compassion, professionalism and integrity in their duties. John Terry, CBO, Building Code and Life Safety Consultant for JNTerry Code Consulting, was presented with this year’s Fowler Award. 

The Community Service Award is given to those with outstanding service and promotes the public health, safety and welfare of their local community. This year’s recipient is Robert Davidson, Managing Partner at Davidson Code Concepts. 

The Educator of the Year Award acknowledges excellence in promoting professional development and is given in memory of Brent Snyder, a renowned Code Council educator and past presiding officer, who was known for his calm and inspiring leadership. Matthew Hunter, CBO, BCO, Northeast Regional Manager at the American Wood Council, was named the 2024 Educator of the Year.  

The Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award is given to an individual who has helped promote the code enforcement profession and carries out the Code Council’s mission. Presented in honor of the founders of the three model code organizations, this year’s winner is Michael Shannon, Director of Development Services for the City of San Antonio, Texas. 

The Meritorious Service Award recognizes an individual who has dedicated their time and talent to furthering the development of the Code Council’s codes and standards. The 2024 Award is posthumously awarded to Chip Dence, a gifted craftsman, builder, leader and statesman, in recognition of his exceptional contributions. 

The National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award recognizes contributions to the growth and enhancement of codes or public policy related to sustainability and energy efficiency. The winner of the 2024 Leadership in Sustainability Award is Hope Medina, Energy and Sustainability Plans Examiner, Inspector, Instructor and Consultant for Shums Coda Associates.   

The Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and longstanding dedication to the support of fire codes and fire prevention. Coy Porter, retired State Fire Marshal with 44 years of experience in the Utah fire service, is the 2024 recipient.  

The Trailblazer Award recognizes an outstanding mentor in the building safety industry who guides and inspires others in their code-related careers. This year’s award is presented to Van Tran, CBO, Vice President at Bureau Veritas.  

The Chapter Merit Award is dedicated to chapters exhibiting the Code Council’s goals and objectives. This year’s award went to the Code Council’s Southern Nevada Chapter and the Code Administrators Association of Kentucky.  

The Regions Spotlight Award is presented to a regional chapter that has demonstrated strong cooperation among the chapters that make up the region, advancement of professionalism among its members, strong community service and growth in membership. This year’s recipient is ICC Midwest Region V.  

The Chapter of the Year Award is presented to a chapter that best promotes the goals and mission of the Code Council. This year’s winner is the Women in Code Enforcement and Development of Virginia.  

The following Code Council award recipients will be honored with their awards outside of the 2024 Annual Conference

The Excellence in Public Safety Award recognizes a member who has shown exceptional integrity, professionalism and dedication to public service. This year’s winner is Serena Locke, Permit Technician for Jackson County, Oregon.  

The Global Award acknowledges distinguished service to the Code Council’s global mission and vision. The 2024 recipient is the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.  

The Innovation in Code Administration Award honors fire and building departments for innovation in the delivery of code administration services to their communities. The 2024 recipient is the City of Cincinnati Building Department under the Director of the Buildings and Inspections Department, Art Dahlberg. 

The PMG Leadership Award is given to an individual or organization for exceptional service to the plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and swimming pool/spa (PMG) industry. This year’s recipient is Kenneth Gregory, Compliance and Safety Manager for Pentair Water Quality Systems.  

The Raising the Profile Award recognizes acts or contributions that raise public awareness of accomplishments by code personnel that improve public safety in the built environment. Pete Roque, National Director of Code Enforcement at 4 Leaf Incorporated, received this year’s award. 

The W. Scott Copp Chapter Leadership Award recognizes a chapter or individual that champions the Code Council mission and inspires others to become Code Council leaders. This prestigious award honors the memory of Scott Copp, a true leader who dedicated his career to advancing building safety at the local, state, regional, and national levels. The 2024 winners are Dawn Neil, Permit Technician for the Township of Bernards in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and Cindi Somers, retired Permit Technician for the city of Richland, Washington. 

The Code Council congratulates all the 2024 award recipients.