Get to Know John Belcik, the Code Council’s New CEO

The International Code Council is under new leadership, with John Belcik taking over as Chief Executive Officer as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Belcik previously served as the Code Council’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, where he played a key role in shaping the organization’s financial and strategic landscape.

Belcik’s career spans leadership roles at the Illinois Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. He also spent 20 years at Wilson Sporting Goods, where he ultimately served as Vice President of Finance.

A graduate of DePaul University and the University of Notre Dame, Belcik also served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University.

In Part 1 of our 2-part series, the Building Safety Journal spoke with Belcik to learn more about him on a personal level. Part 2, which will be published in the coming months, will focus on Belcik’s vision for the Code Council and the path ahead.

What are some values that are important to you in your work, and how do they shape your decision making and leadership? 

Integrity, persistence, patience and empathy are four guiding principles that have helped me navigate both professional and personal situations. As a leader, I recognize that even the smallest decisions can have a big impact on people, which is why I think empathy is so essential.

Who has been your biggest influence or inspiration in your career?

Having the right mentors has been crucial for me. While some of them may have been hard on me or pushed me at times – that is when I learned and grew the most. I’m grateful now to have the opportunity to actively mentor others and I encourage everyone, regardless of where you are in your career, to seek out a mentor and ask for their guidance.

What are you most excited about as you begin this new chapter with the Code Council?

I am most excited about working with the incredible staff across our family of solutions. I’m also continuously inspired by our mission to develop codes and standards that keep billions of people around the world safe every day.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received and how has it shaped your approach to leadership and your career? 

My predecessor, Dominic Sims, told me when I first arrived at the Code Council in 2009, to “Do things the right way.” It’s simple, but it’s a guiding light in complex situations – especially when there are many distractions.

What drives and motivates you in your daily life?

Making my family proud and honoring my parents’ memories. My dad was a gas meter repairman, and my mom stayed home to take care of our family. They taught me about the value of hard work, humility and remembering where you came from. I feel like I stand on my parents’ shoulders every day, and I try to make them proud with the way I live my life inside and outside of work.

How do you maintain a work-life balance and what do you do to recharge outside of work?

I try to separate my work and my personal life by going into the office most days. I know it’s not for everyone, but for me it works. When I am home, I try my best to be present. Although I admit that my wife will catch me thinking sometimes and say, “you’re thinking about work again, aren’t you?” That comment usually helps me to reprioritize my activities. I also make sure I see my three grandchildren whenever I can. They keep me focused on what is most important in my life.

To recharge, I do a lot of fitness work, mainly running, and I like riding my bike to work when Chicago weather permits. We also have a couple of Labrador Retrievers at home; they are great at keeping me ‘in the moment.’

What are some of your favorite books and music? 

My favorite book that I read recently was A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles. It was a great story about perseverance, adaptation and strength of character with the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. Right now, I am reading The Power of Fun, by Catherine Price, which attempts to define “real” fun.

My musical taste tends to lean toward rock. The two artists whose concerts I have attended multiple times are the Rolling Stones and Lyle Lovett.

What is one achievement or moment that you are most proud of?

Professionally, becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the Code Council is a capstone accomplishment for my career.

Personally, I ran the Chicago marathon for the fourth time in 2024 during which, I set my personal best time for a marathon.

We know you’re a big sports fan – what are your favorite teams and what sports do you follow?

The sporting events I enjoy watching the most are the winter Olympics and the U.S. Open. I am also a Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks fan, although none of them have given me much reason to watch recently. I am a Notre Dame football fan and attend as many home games as I can. There is no place like South Bend on a home game Saturday afternoon in the fall.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy gardening both indoors and out. I have a crazy number of houseplants. In fact, I have quite a collection of plants in my Country Club Hills office as well. 

What is your favorite place that you’ve travelled to and why?

I have had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout my career, particularly in Asia and Europe. However, my favorite place is Traverse City, Michigan, where we have vacationed every August for the last 29 years with my extended family. Apologies to my family for tipping off the world to the best-kept-secret-vacation-spot there is.

Tell us one thing that might surprise people to know about you.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work for the FBI, but I decided not to pursue the opportunity. I have never regretted that decision. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, and for the latest news and updates from the Code Council, be sure to subscribe to the BSJ Weekly here.