Building Safety Group Presents Awards

The International Code Council honored individuals and groups during its Annual Conference in Minneapolis for their contributions to building safety, fire prevention, safe construction and code enforcement.

Bobby J. Fowler Award: Bob Weber Code consultant and former Building Official and Director of the Clark County, Nev., Building Department, Weber received the Bobby J. Fowler Award. The award, the Code Council’s highest honor, is in memory of the late Bobby Fowler, who is credited with being the founding father of the International Code Council. Weber was recognized for his decades-long advocacy of performance-based design and for his knowledge and expertise of architecture, engineering and codes that have benefited the International Code Council.

Code Official of the Year: Khanh Nguyen Building Official for Costa Mesa, Calif., Nguyen was named Code Official of the Year for his work to further the cause of building safety. Nguyen was recognized for implementing two programs in his community that have encouraged homeowners to make property improvements: the Residential Remodel Incentive Program and the Building Green Incentive Program. Both have led to nearly $40 million in improvements as residents remodel their homes and add green features.

Fire Service Award: Chief John Mueller Deputy State Fire Administrator for the State of New York, Chief Muellerreceived the International Code Council Fire Service Award. A 30-year veteran of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Mueller was instrumental in developing the world’s first fire safety standard for cigarettes, now used in 27 states and Canada. He also has been responsible for fatal fire investigations, incident management, fire protection planning and fire code development. From his initial efforts as a rank and file firefighter to today as an executive in the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Chief Mueller has devoted his career to ensuring the public’s safety.

Community Service Award: Sun City, Ariz., Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau The 18 volunteers of the Sun City Fire Prevention Bureau received the International Code Council Community Service Award, recognizing service to promote public safety, health and welfare. The Fire Prevention Bureau’s volunteers perform business inspections, conduct home safety surveys, and install smoke alarms, emergency lock boxes and fire extinguishers to enhance the safety of Sun City residents.

Affiliate of the Year Award: Jim Messersmith Coordinating Manager of Regional Code Services for the Portland Cement Association, Messersmith, earned the International Code Council Affiliate of the Year Award for his dedication to codes and code development. For 25 years, Messersmith has worked with the building industry to coordinate and collaborate on code change proposals.

Educator of the Year Award: Doug Thornburg Technical Director of Product Development for the International Code Council, Thornburg received the organization’s inaugural Educator of the Year Award. A registered architect and certified building official, Thornburg has been teaching for more than 25 years and is one of the Code Council’s most requested instructors. The Educator of the Year Award is given in memory of long-time code instructor Brent Snyder for his contributions to Code Council members, their educational pursuits and their professional development.

Chapter of the Year: Heart of America The Kansas Heart of America Chapter was honored for serving its citizens through disaster assessment and assistance, education and community service. The chapter is in the process of launching an on-line code school to provide continuing education for contractors, architects, engineers, tradesmen and building inspectors.

Four merit awards were presented to chapters of the International Code Council who distinguish themselves through activities that demonstrate the goals and objectives of the International Code Council. They are the Michigan Association of Housing Officials, Rainier Chapter, Tennessee Building Officials Association and Virginia Building and Code Officials Association.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.