Leadership Summit explores potential of strategic International Code Council & National Council of Architectural Registration Boards relationship.

The International Code Council (ICC) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) are developing a strategy to advance the mutual interests of code officials and the architectural profession.

What began as a series of informal conversations between International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims and Board of Directors President Dwayne Garriss with NCARB Chief Executive Officer Michael Armstrong led to a Leadership Summit in November to discuss the potential for developing a strategic relationship.

The summit, held in Birmingham, Ala., began with presentations providing historical background and outlining the mission and strategic direction of NCARB and the Code Council. This foundation provided the context for in-depth discussion on several topics: participation in code development and architect licensure processes, advocacy through shared resources, new technologies for professional development, mutual interest in sustainability and resilience, advancing initiatives outside the U.S., and building relationships between code officials and architects.

“Code officials and architects have a long and successful history of working together, and this is a natural partnership to help achieve our goals of building safer, sustainable and more resilient communities.”

International Code Council Board of Directors President Dwayne Garriss expressed an interesting realization that the Code Council and NCARB share more in common than one would think. “The Code Council and NCARB share a common mission which dictates our organizations are more closely aligned,” Garriss explained. “Code officials and architects have a long and successful history of working together, and this is a natural partnership to help achieve our goals of building safer, sustainable and more resilient communities.”

Concluding the summit, NCARB President and Board Chair Kristine Harding expressed a clear consensus of the group — that continuing to work together will benefit both organizations. “Architectural learning doesn’t just happen in schools. By working together, NCARB and the Code Council can broaden the perspectives of our members to better understand the importance of the architect/code official relationship.”

In addition to Sims and Garriss, Code Council representatives participating in the summit were Board Director Cindy Davis, Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes, Training & Education Vice President Tracy Lendi, and Membership/Certification Vice President Ron Piester.

In addition to Armstrong and Harding, NCARB representatives participating were Director of Examinations Jared Zurn, and First Vice President/President Elect Greg Erny.