VBCOA Podcast: A Building Code Geeks Podcast

Dennis Hart, CBO is the MEP Codes Administrator for Fairfax County, Virginia as well as a US Navy Veteran. In this episode, learn about how you can support the upcoming VBCOA Anniversary milestone and enjoy a great round of golf!

In this episode of the Building Code Geeks Podcast, host Nate Young speaks with Quentin Mascari, the building official for King and Queen County, Virginia about his journey into code enforcement, the unique challenges he faces in a rural locality, and the importance of customer service in the field. They also discuss the need for more young professionals in code enforcement, and emphasize the significance of understanding the intent behind building codes. Quentin also offers valuable advice for those considering a career in this field and highlights the importance of mentorship and community engagement.

D. A. Pierce is a Plans Examiner with the Roanoke City, VA Building Department and Chair of the VBCOA Energy Code Committee. His goal is to bring consistency and understanding application of energy codes in the Commonwealth.

Robby Dawson from the National Fire Protection Association joins Nate and Tom Coghill for a discussion about "Safety Doesn't Happen by Chance". The new public awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about how codes and standards make our lives safer. View more details at www.dontchancesafety.org and www.reverserenovations.org

Recently elected as the President of VBCOA, Jason Laws works as the Assistant Building Official for Chesterfield County, VA. In this episode, Jason shares his approach to code enforcement and customer service as well as his plans for his term at the helm of VBCOA.

Kemper Elder is the talent behind the renewed VBCOA Website. He has taken the reins of "Webmaster" to a new level. He is also a Residential Plans Review Supervisor with Chesterfield County.

Mathew Hawkes is a Code Investigator III with Fairfax County, VA and joins Nate in this episode to discuss his approach to code enforcement and the importance of the job all code enforcers are doing.

In this episode Nate is joined by Mark Bolt, the Budling Official in Floyd County, VA. From early jobs in construction to code enforcement in a relatively urban area, Mark has gained unique insights into code enforcement and a philosophy of making sure they know the "why".

With Christina's new position on the Board of Directors of the ICC, she is transferring the role of Podcast Host to Education Chair Nate Young. Learn about what's to come on this episode!

How do you make the leap from Flight Attendant to Certified Building Official? Let Brandon Rou show you how it's done!

Joseph Blackman is the founder of Vitendo - a Training and Education company with an innovative approach to training the public sector workforce. He also hosts The Public Works Podcast. Learn more about Vintendo and The Public Works Podcast at www.vitendo.us.

Sharon Guidry is a code enforcement professional from San Bernadino, California. She joins Christina today to talk about the importance of diversity in the code enforcement world and what the future of the profession may look like.

Stacy Bristow could be called the accidental code enforcer. From the sheriff's office to author, now code enforcement, her success lies in the mentors she has surrounded herself with.

Nathan Young is the Building Official In Amhurst County, VA with a focus on customer service.

Monica Whitney is a Permit Technician with Sussex County, VA. Her path getting into code enforcement was not typical. A relative newcomer who decided to give a new challenge a try.

Celebrating Women in Construction Week, Christina is joined by Maryia Lackansinh, a Code Specialist III with the County of Fairfax, VA and the President of WICED of Virginia.

Mike Dellinger is the Building Official for Albemarle County near Charlottesville, VA with an interesting take on amusement device inspections and code enforcement.

Even after retirement, you can continue to learn and contribute to the profession. In this episode, Jim Collins, former Chief Building Inspector for Prince William County shares how his years of experience is still being expanded and passed down to the next generation.

Cynthia Kobe-Rojas worked as a marketing professional in the medical field before her journey in the code enforcement world. Now an Engineer Technician II with Fairfax County, she has greater career aspirations as a first time VBCOA Conference attendee. Please excuse the jet noise in this episode from the area of Virginia Beach.

Andrea Scates worked in code enforcement in a few code enforcement offices in the Tidewater region of Virginia before taking the role of Property Maintenance Division Chief in Alexandria, VA. Now she works to resolve property issues with a focus on connecting and building relationships with the property owners to bring them into compliance.

Alan Boswell became the Director of Building Inspections in Tuscaloosa, Alabama after working in the electrical construction and sales fields. He is also a current member of the ICC Board of Directors. Christina met with him during the recent VBCOA Conference in Virginia Beach and discussed his career and how mentoring plays a big role in his career still today.

Ron Clements is a 30 year member of the codes community who has served in two central Virginia jurisdictions and is now the Department Head and Building Code Official in Chesterfield County. Furthering his service to the industry, Ron is running for the Board of Directors of the International Code Council. Find out more about Ron's career, challenging projects, and why he is running for this Board in this episode.

After serving in the US Military, Antwan explored a formal education in Civil Engineering, but on that path, discovered the benefits of professional certifications as well. Antwan in a student at the Tidewater Community College in Virginia.

Krista is the Training and Development Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Her smiling face and calming voice helps her work with DHCD as they educate code officials on the technical and legal requirements of the job.

From a self proclaimed Government Nerd to Code Nerd, Lisa works with state and local governmental organizations to improve building safety in their communities.

Cindy Davis is the Deputy Director of Building Codes at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Additionally, she has served the International Code Council as their President. She got her start in the code development process in the "legacy codes" world and explains how the ICC evolved to the code making organization it is today.

Allison Cook is a construction plans examiner with the Arlington, VA Building Department. She has been involved with the ICC Emerging Leaders Program since she simply asked a question. Find out her philosophy toward mentorship and how to get involved in the ICC codes development process - just like everyone else has.

Michelle Coward is the Deputy Director for the City of Richmond and the 2nd Vice President of VBOCA. She has served in our nations armed forces and now serves her community and the state's building safety industry.

March is Women's History Month and in this episode, Christina speaks with one of the leaders of Women In Code Enforcement and Development (WICED) Karissa Shrader. Karissa is the Vice President of WICED Virginia and works in Campbell County, Virginia. Find her contact information here: https://www.co.campbell.va.us/154/Permits-Inspections

Travis Luter is a Code and Regulation Specialist with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition, he is the Secretary to the State Building Code Technical Review Board. You can register for the VBCOA Mid-Year Conference and see his session on the VA TRB at this link: www.vbcoa.org/event/vbcoa-mid-year-conference/

In this episode, Christina has a conversation with Robby Dawson, former Fire Marshal for Chesterfield County and current Regional Director for the National Fire Protection Association.

Assistant Chief/Chief Fire Marshal Jeff Senter joins Christina in this episode to talk about the importance of collaboration with other building and code officials as well as some emerging threats and hazards associated with new technology.

In this episode, Christina learns how beneficial the Arabic language is in code enforcement, some odd job interview questions, and how technology is impacting the code enforcement profession. Joining her in this episode is Paul Mesplay, a Code and Regulations Specialist with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Mike Eutsey is the Assistant Chief Building Official for Hanover County, Virginia and is also the current VBCOA President. In this episode, Mike and Christina talk about the importance of mentors and how you can grow your career.

What is the difference between being an inspector, and being the craftsman whose work is being inspected? Join Christina in this episode as she discusses that topic and others with David Dunivan, the Building Official for Powhatan County, VA.

Mentors, coaches, and professional organizations are the focus of this episode with John Broughton, VBCOA 1st Vice President and Building Official from Franklin County, VA.

In this episode Christina discusses the staffing and technology challenges with Scott Steen, Chief Building Official and Permits and Inspections Administrator in the City of Virginia Beach.

Richard Gordon is the Chief Building Official in Hanover County, VA. In this episode, Christina talks with Richard about the challenges of new technology and how the Technical Review Board Interpretations process helps out with determining code compliance.

Jenna Goodman was a structural engineer who became involved in the code enforcement profession. Now she's supervising Plans Review in Prince William County, VA. Christina and Jenna talk about how that transformation took place and the importance of working together in the plans review process.

Jeff Brown is the Director of State Building Codes for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. In this inaugural episode, Christina talks with Jeff about the development of the model building codes and how Virginia's code adoption process works, and how to be involved in the process.

Welcome to the Virginia Building and Code Officials Podcast - A Code Geek's Podcast. This program is dedicated to bringing code officials, designers, contractors, architects, planners, and anyone who is interested in the development and enforcement of building and fire codes and regulations together to share stories and knowledge about their craft. Join Christina Jackson, VBCOA Education Chair, as she discusses all types of topics related to this profession. Episodes are released every other week. Make sure you subscribe and rate to stay in touch with the VBCOA Podcast.