California Code Leader Raj Patel Receives 2023 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award

During the International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Raj Patel was honored with the 2023 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award for his contributions to the building safety industry.

The Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award is presented to those whose contributions strive to advance the code enforcement profession and the mission of the Code Council. The award was created in honor of the founders of the three model code organizations, Albert H. Baum, M.L. Clement and Phil Roberts.

When presenting Patel with the award, Mike Boso, Chair of the Code Council’s Awards and Honorary Members Committee, stated, “Raj is the glue that has held the California code officials together for nearly four decades.”

Deep Roots and a Long Career as a Southern California Building Engineer

Patel graduated from UCLA with an engineering degree and spent his entire 38-year career in public service. In 1985, he started as a plan review engineer for the County of Los Angeles, where there were 30 engineering divisions. That territory covered 2,600 square miles and served more than 1 million residents in over 150 communities.

“I enjoyed the balance of technical code application combined with constant customer interaction,” he said. As a Superintendent of Building, he managed the plan review, inspection and code enforcement operations for the county and 17 contract cities. He then served as LA’s Assistant Director of Public Works for two years.

Patel couldn’t resist becoming part of the management team for the City of Beverly Hills in 2014. “The city has incredible architecture, history, culture and personality,” he said. “I was pleased to be part of the team that took pride in providing residents and businesses with an enhanced level of problem-solving and customer service.”

He left that position at the end of 2020 to become president of JAS Pacific, a municipal engineering consulting company specializing in building and fire code plan review, inspection, permit technician and code enforcement services. JAS Pacific also assists jurisdictions with planning and public works staffing and solutions. 

“The quality of JAS professionals and the company’s overall focus was a perfect fit for my desire to share my administrative and technical experiences on a larger scale,” Patel said. “I enjoy collaborating with my professional peers in many different jurisdictions. This position also allows me to increase my participation and support for the Code Council and its members.”

A Career Dedicated to Helping Others

Currently, Patel serves on the board of the California Building Officials (CALBO), the largest of the state’s 30 Code Council Chapters, his “second tour of duty” after previous board service from 2010-2016.

CALBO provides statewide building code training and legislative advocacy and supports other chapters with code development efforts. His CALBO work continues to support current and future code professionals through the creation of leadership academies for both building officials and current technicians.

“It’s fun to work with future building safety profession leaders,” he said. “They know what they do, and we share the why and the how.”

“Whenever I meet with new recruits, I compare building safety to working at a hospital’s emergency room,” Patel added. “Every day brings a new challenge, and no two experiences are alike. There’s no way to predict who is coming in and what assistance they need. It’s the perfect career for an adrenaline junkie!”

Prioritizing Mentorship for Professional Growth

“I am surprised, humbled and grateful,” said Patel. “To be recognized by my peers at the national level is something I never thought possible. I give credit to my amazingly talented co-workers and friends who have generously shared their time, effort and knowledge throughout my career. From their mentorship, I have learned that ‘you get what you give.’”

“From the day I started this work, mentors, advisors and my professional network have played pivotal roles in shaping my career as a code professional,” Patel said. “Collaboration is the most significant aspect of my work life; it is not just a job requirement to me. The exchange of ideas and that shared sense of purpose is the heartbeat of my passion and commitment.”

“My peers’ guidance has provided not only valuable technical understanding and expertise but also a broader understanding of industry trends, best practices and the importance of continuous learning, which was the foundation of my professional success,” added Patel. “They helped me navigate political and professional challenges too and stressed the importance of participating in professional organizations such as the Code Council.”

Embracing Collaboration Opportunities in the Building Safety Industry

“I will never forget my initial participation on a Code Council committee. I was asked to chair the initial Energy Exam Committee and develop the Code Council’s first energy certification exam for plan reviewers and inspectors,” Patel remembered. “That mission was challenging. It was my first exposure to working on a committee of technical experts from all over the country. Thankfully, I had the guidance of Code Council program manager and test developer, Vern Peterson, and Code Council psychometric expert Dave Nelson, alongside an incredibly dedicated and talented committee to help.”

“I am grateful for an experience that broadened my perspective on the development of national codes and standards, as well as the variety of issues that code officials in other states and jurisdictions are required to coordinate and solve,” Patel said.

Liking people is a crucial skill in the building safety industry since “it’s a people business,” Patel said. In addition, he stresses that willingness to see the bigger picture, and understanding how decisions made will line up with the overall mission and values of city operations, are the keys to success.

He advocates for curiosity as well. “There are no absolutes,” he said. “In our profession, it’s easy to focus only on the process and the codes. But it’s also important to want to know why we do what we do so we’ll know where to be flexible without sacrificing safety and sustainability.”

The Importance of Code Training and On-the-Job Experience

Patel believes it takes a lifetime of experience and training to become an effective code professional. His personal path was through licensure as a professional engineer and then on-the-job experience in reading and interpreting the codes.

For those rising building safety professionals, Patel advises a thorough understanding of regulations and codes governing construction and safety standards. “Familiarize yourself with local, state and national codes and laws, as they form the backbone of ensuring structures are safe and compliant,” Patel said. “Also cultivate a proactive and participative approach to staying updated on evolving code and industry practices, as continuous learning is essential in this dynamic field.”

Early in his career, Patel saw the implementation of desktop computers, then email, then cell phones. “Now we are able to work almost entirely in a virtual environment,” he said. “And coming soon is using 3D printing in construction, AI-generated problem-solving and designs, and who knows what else!”

Yet the dedication to the structure safety sector remains constant. “Everything we do as a building department improves someone’s quality of life, both on the micro and macro scale,” Patel said. “Whether it’s developing building codes to make buildings safer and more resilient, enforcing codes to improve the sustainability of the planet, or simply providing information to a customer, it’s gratifying to be part of making a positive difference.”

Learn more about the Code Council’s annual awards and view past recipients here.