2025/2026 Board of Directors

WABO PRESIDENT’S REPORT -  by Ray Cockerham, CBO

Thank you to the membership for a wonderful year and the opportunity to serve the organization for another year.  It is a great honor and privilege to serve our industry with the executive board, the executive director and the membership of this organization.

I would first like to express my gratitude to all the first-time attendees for joining us and participating in the Annual Business Meeting in Leavenworth. The executive officers hope that this experience has inspired you to remain involved with WABO, find your place within a committee, and participate at whichever pace feels right for you. Bring your expertise and share the knowledge you’ve gained—your contributions make a significant impact.

Serving as president this past year has given me a unique perspective and deeper involvement with the committees. Witnessing the commitment and participation of our members has been profoundly inspiring. During the meeting, I briefly highlighted a few aspects of the committee's work over the past year. One key point I emphasized—and I feel compelled to reiterate—is that my one regret is not getting involved with WABO sooner.

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors. Seeing their names in our meeting packets and recognizing their active participation in our meetings adds immense value to our organization. Their support elevates our efforts and strengthens our collective mission.

As I look ahead to the coming year, I reflect on my goals and the agenda we’ve set. I firmly believe in the “Back to Basics and Beyond” theme I established, as well as the continued progress of the membership driven initiatives we have continued.

The liaison work we have started is also a highlight.  I am deeply grateful for the Washington State Fire Marshal Association and look forward to future collaboration to enhance our shared objectives. There is so much to learn and gain from this partnership, and the efforts we coordinate hold great potential.

Additionally, the Washington State Permit Tech Association represents a vital core value for every building official and WABO member. Permit technicians across the state deserve our collective support to sustain and expand their participation. Their contributions are essential to the success of our mission.

Last fall, Todd Blevins and I had the privilege of attending the BIAW meeting, and I am excited that we’ve been invited back again this year. Their openness in welcoming us demonstrates a spirit of partnership that aligns with our work. While finding the balance between collaboration and independence will always pose challenges, the benefits of cooperation far outweigh the risks of failure.

As we move forward, I am motivated by the opportunities ahead and remain committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and shared success for WABO and its members. Together, we can achieve great things.

My gratitude goes to Executive Director Tara Jenkins and the WABO office where our calls, our issues and our problems are all received with sincerity. 

Please reach out to me and let me know if you have an idea a task or a need. 

I hope to see you at the summer meeting.

Ray Cockerham

2025 Code Official of the Year: Jenifer Gilliland, City of Seattle  2025 Jurisdiction Outreach Award: City of Tacoma - Alyssa Torres and Mary Crabtree 2025 Outstanding Educational Achievement: Andrew Lunde, City of Seattle and Jaime Curbow, City of Edgewood

Technical Code Development Committee - Chair Micah Chappell, MBA, CBO - City of Seattle & Co-Chair Jon Siu, PE

The Technical Code Development Committee portion of the WABO Annual Business Meeting in Leavenworth began with Chair Micah Chappell recognizing the WABO and TCD members serving on various committees at the ICC and SBCC:

• ICC Committee Members
  • Micah Chappell (IBC-General Committee)
  • Ardel Jala and Shane Nilles (IEBC Committee)
  • Merria Norris (Administrative Committee)
  • Jon Siu (IBC-Structural Committee)

• SBCC Technical Advisory Group Members
  • Kim Barker and Todd Blevins (WSEC-Commercial TAG)
  • Kim Barker and Shane Nilles (WSEC-Residential TAG)
  • Jen Eliuk, Quyen Thai, and Lia Sommer (Residential TAG)
  • Ray Shipman, Chirs Vance, Shane Nilles, and Johnathan Goldsmith (WUIC TAG)
  • Andie Lorenz, David Kinley, Jeromy Moore, Johnathan Goldsmith, Rich Williams, and Jon Siu (Single Exit/Multiplex Housing Ad-Hoc TAG)

The next order of business was to report on the twelve “petitions” (code change proposals) TCD submitted to the SBCC process.  For the IBC processes, TCD submitted six proposals to change the IBC in Group A in 2024 (Fire Safety, Egress, and Fire Code), with a success rate of 50% so far.  For Group B this year, we submitted five changes to the IBC, three to change the IEBC, and one to change the IRC.

The majority of the meeting was taken up by a discussion of two code change proposals, imitating the ICC Committee Action Hearing process.  A seven-member committee was appointed to listen to arguments for and against the proposals, then vote whether to approve them or not.  The code changes were selected from actual proposals that were to be heard at the ICC Group B Committee Action Hearing #1 in Orlando (April 27-May 5).  The proponents and opponents had two minutes per person to state their case, followed by one-minute rebuttals.  A lively discussion amongst the committee members and vote followed.  While the results weren’t recorded, the process served the purpose of helping TCD members who were going to be attending the Orlando hearings to practice, as well as to demonstrate the process to the WABO membership who hadn’t attended ICC hearings before.  Many thanks go to those who participated:

• Moderator: Ardel Jala
• Committee Chair: Angela Haupt
• Staff
  • Micah Chappell: Secretariat, parliamentarian
  • Jon Siu: Timekeeper, projector
  • Committee Members
    • Ray Allshouse
    • Stacey Criswell
    • Andie Lorenz
    • David Spencer
    • Bob Snyder
    • Molly Severns
    • Testifiers
      • Jenifer Gilliland
      • Hoyt Jeter
      • Shane Nilles
      • Quyen Thai
      • Rich Williams
      • Marty Gillis

Given the positive feedback we received after the mock hearing, TCD will likely put another one together next year, this time demonstrating the process for the ICC Public Comment Hearing.

Certification & Registration Committee - Chair Brian Smith, CBO, ACO

 The Certification & Registration Program handles many programs for the association such as the Weld Certification Program, The Special Inspection Program, Fabrication Registration Program and the newly tasked WA State Energy Code Plans Examiner Program.  The C & R Committee has created subcommittees to help with all the program maintenance and updates. The Special Inspection Advisory board met and made updates to Post-Installed Anchors in WABO Standard 1701. The Special Inspection Advisory Board is also looking into the steel storage rack systems and will work with the TCD committee regarding the code language. The Special Inspection Advisory Board will be looking into the feasibility of creating a procedure for a remote Fabrication Facility Audit for renewals only and, if feasible, will look at this for other agency program renewal audits.  The WABO Annual Education Institute held a couple of special inspection classes and the classes were well received, if members want to see more Special Inspection training please let the WABO office know.  The subcommittee for the Energy Code Plans Examiner Program is still waiting on the Commercial Energy Code questions that are currently undergoing peer review.  Once peer review is completed Lisa Rosenow will provide the bank of questions to the subcommittee for review.  The Energy Code Plans Examiner subcommittee will begin reviewing the Residential Energy Code questions that have been resubmitted from Jonathan Jones at WSU Energy Program.  The subcommittee requested additional volunteers to help with the committee work and Molly Severn (City of Spokane), Allison Newcomb (City of Woodinville), and Bradley Eisold (City of Elma) all stepped up to assist.

Government Relations - Chair Tim Woodard, CBO, ACO

The Government Relations Committee met to discuss the legislative session. This year WABO had an exciting year in the legislature. WABO was successful in running their first bill in over 8 years. HB 1935 was run as a cleanup bill for SB 5290. The bill clarified once and for all that “Building Permits” are not “Project Permits” and are inherently different from other land use processes.

While our efforts were overwhelmingly successful the one bill that WABO supported that didn’t pass was the bill to clean up the Wildland Urban Interface RCW that had adopted technical code into the legislation tying the hands of Building Officials across the state and not allowing it to follow the same process as the rest of the codes we enforce. We look forward to this bill coming back this next cycle and we are hopeful we can educate the policy makers on how this bill is bad for building and get modifications approved to allow the State Building Code Board to modify and produce a code we can all use upon the completion of the new WUI maps by the Department of Natural Resources. As a reminder no WUI code is required to be enforced and is optional up until the maps are completed. We do not anticipate this prior to the next legislative session.

Several other bills were discussed; however, the only one other bill that may affect some departments is an ADU bill that would allow a jurisdiction to implement a self-certification process for licensed architects and engineers to self-certify compliance with the building code in-leu of a plan review from the jurisdiction. To be clear this is optional for jurisdictions that choose to implement this program. The program requires several factors such as the owner, architect, and contractor must sign an agreement that any issues that arise are the responsibility of the owner to resolve. If your jurisdiction is considering this type of program, we recommend including your legal department to review the program and ensure compliance with the law. For additional information you can review the passed legislation here (SHB 1353). Until next year!

Education Committee - Ryan Mumma, CBO, ACO

The Committee went over the 2025 Annual Education Institute (AEI) reports which covered class comments, instructors, final numbers, and the beginning class projections for the 2026 Annual Education Institute.    Many were positives and there were a few outliers that we feel are directed to the course subject rather on the instructor.  The Education Committee reviews extensively the information that is extracted off of the survey results from the Annual Education Institute and thanks the individuals that provides constructive feedback that is helpful to make the event better each year.  The 2026 AEI will still be held at the Lynnwood Event Center as many attempts to find a new locations were attempted and many facilities either could not hold our capacity,  the Food & Beverage minimum was too high,  or the room block request ask was higher than WABO can facilitate.   The Education Committee will continue to look for viable options to have other venues for consideration.  The Education Committee will begin selecting classes for the 2026 Annual Education Institute and hope to have them finalized at the 2025 Summer meeting.  If you are not aware, the committee enlists the help of volunteers to join and help put together the roster of classes that you see offered each year at Institute.  So, if there was something you wanted to see but didn't, this is your opportunity to join the committee and help establish the trainings that matter to you.  Please contact Ryan Mumma at [email protected] for more information.  

Outreach Committee - Chair Stacy Criswell, CBO, ACO

 No Report.

Emergency Management Committee - Chair Quyen Thai, CBO, MCP

WABO Emergency Management Committee accomplished quite a bit in 2024 and early 2025. Partnering with Washington State EMD, City of Seattle, City of Tacoma, City of Bainbridge Island, Cascadia Regional Earthquake Workgroup, Washington State Department of Historic Preservation, and other agencies.   The City of Tacoma completed their URM Survey on November 15^th, 2024. The URM survey project, hosted by the City of Tacoma, included over 60 volunteers from various agencies as listed earlier. The City of Tacoma surveyed over 300 buildings in a 4 hour period and have now begun the QA/QC portion of the project.

In addition to the City of Tacoma URM project, the Emergency Management Committee has continued our partnership with WAsafe, and have updated our WABO Emergency Management website to provide easier access to our members and those in the public whom we serve. We hope to continue the success of 2024 and bring this success to the next year by continuing the URM survey project with the City of Spokane and City of Bainbridge Island.

Finally, the Emergency Management Committee would like to recognize all Building Safety Evaluation volunteers and ask more of our WABO members to join in this effort. Having attended ICC When Disaster Strikes train the trainer, we are hoping to expand our BSE effort and training material at our state level. More training of the ATC 20/45 will continue to be provided throughout 2025 and 2026 in Washington State by WAsafe.

Accreditation Committee - Chair James Tumelson, CBO, MCP, ACO

This has been a very busy year for the Accreditation Committee. The Code Official Accreditation Program (COAP) continues to be a state licensed school thanks to the tireless work at the WABO office.  This program has gained a lot of attention from the legislature so much so that we received two separate funding sources from commerce and the community colleges. Specifically, ESSB 5920.SL ear marked a budget proviso that was intended to accelerate the hiring for city and county permit technicians which funded WABO consultants to audit the entirety of all four years of COAP and make necessary modifications. This shift has propelled us into a constant improvement and refinement phase which has extremely strengthen the program and curriculum. The other proviso has been specifically utilized for marketing and collaboration with colleges to explore pathways into our industry while potentially receiving credits through the partnered college.  These efforts have boosted our presence and enabled our continued progression all while evolving as a school. 

If any of these accomplishments sounds exciting to you or you have a passion for being a lifelong learner, you should consider joining the Accreditation Committee.  Enrollment beings May 5th and class sizes are limited. This means you may have to wait an entire year if you don’t act now to join the countless others pursing higher education through COAP. 

Finance Committee - Chair Andie Lorenz, CBO, ACO

Andy provided the membership with an overview of WABO's 2024/2025 3rd quarter financials. 

TCD Scholarship Reports on the ICC Committee Action Hearings (Group B#1), April 27- May 06 2025, Orlando, FL

Quyen Thai, MCP, CBO, CFM - City of Tacoma

Thank you again and much gratitude to the Washington Association of Building Official Technical Code Development Committee for granting me a scholarship to attend the ICC Group B Committee Action Hearing #1 in Orlando, FL.  

Since this is the second time attending this new format, it was interesting to note that there were less attendees in the audience than last year’s CAH #1 held in the same location. At least, less attendees who were code officials. There were almost the same amount of special interest groups attending as can be attested by the number of proposals by the industry. I feel that as each code cycle is established, we are inching closer to a decent (if not exactly perfect) code book and because of that, code officials representing jurisdictions are now less inclined to create code proposals to make it “better”.  

I do feel that my comfort level to testify has gotten better. I’m no longer as nervous going up to testify on proposals that I feel strongly for, such as several of the flood code changes in the ADM proposals. I think, and this is probably like other individuals like Hoyt Jeter, that as we attend more and more of these hearings, our connections and networking is expanding with other individuals.  Having a higher comfort level with others who are in attendance, I believe, makes it much more easier to get in front and speak. It no longer feels like we’re talking to strangers but to colleagues I know!  

In general, though, the continued experience to these code hearings has strengthen my resolve to continue in this code path and learn. Especially after the 2027 code cycle, several experienced

code experts will be “retiring” from the industry. I’m glad I can, for the short term, continue to soak in the knowledge from listening to them.

Again, thank you for letting me represent WABO at the code hearings!

TCD Scholarship Reports on the ICC Committee Action Hearings (Group B#1), April 27- May 06 2025, Orlando, FL

Stacy Criswell, CBO, ACO - City of Monroe

The recent code hearings in Orlando, Florida, were a real eye-opener just like they always are. I've been to a few of these before, but this one definitely felt different. I understood the process better, knew where to find the information about all the proposed changes, and I really felt like I belonged there.

One thing that stands out at these hearings is the people. You see a lot of the same faces, folks who clearly spend a lot of time digging into code. They speak with confidence, ask smart questions, and seem totally comfortable doing it... It's impressive to watch.

If you're curious about how code decisions are made, a great place to start is by listening in on the work of our Technical Code Development Committee (TCD). It's an easy way to get familiar with the process from your desk. After that, I highly recommend applying for one of our many scholarships to attend a hearing in person. It's a great way to see how things work in real time while allowing you to still check work emails, so you don't burn up vacation time.

For me, these experiences have been super helpful, especially when someone challenges how we're interpreting the code. Being able to say I just came from a hearing where I've seen how decisions are made for changes, and that I understand the reasoning behind them makes a big difference.

Ray Allshouse, AIA, CBO, ACO, City of Shoreline

I was pleased to be a member of WABO’s contingent to the 2025 Committee Action Hearings #1 in Orlando.

Fortunately, I was able to attend over five and a half days of the Hearings predominantly in Track #1, considering that I did also testify on EB10-25 held under Track #2 helping to get this change rejected as planned. While personal time constraints precluded my attendance for the entire duration of this hearing schedule such that I was unable to witness a couple of high interest change deliberations, I understand that we were nevertheless able to prevail in my absence.  It was also nice to see that WABO was not alone on a number of concern areas such that our “me too waves” oftentimes prove sufficient to carry the day without having to prolong testimony.  The opportunity for face-to-face “side bar” discussions with colleagues from across the country continues to be a fruitfully proven effort, emphasizing the value of being there.  I look forward to our collective efforts over the months ahead to further pursue evolving changes in preparation for CAH#2 this fall. I also believe that the mock hearing we conducted at the ABM in Leavenworth has prompted more WABO members’ interest in the code development process and hopefully added future participation. 

Notes:

• The Committee Action Hearings had two committee hearings running simultaneously.  Track 1 had the IRC-Building and IBC-General Committees.  Track 2 had Property Maintenance, Zoning, Administrative Provisions, Existing Buildings, and Structural Committees.
• Cod Change Proposal EB10-25 relates to the requirements for installation of rooftop-mounted photovoltaic panel systems
  
  

Julius Carreon, SE – City of Bellevue

Thank you to WABO for the opportunity to attend the 2027 ICC Group B Committee Action Hearing (CAH1) in Orlando, Florida, as a representative of the WABO Technical Code Development Committee (TCD). I participated actively in both the Structural and IEBC subcommittees of the TCD.

This hearing cycle, I stayed for the full week and attended sessions for the IEBC, IRC, General IBC, and Structural committees. The structural hearings were particularly relevant to my day-to-day work and provided valuable insight into anticipated code changes. Being there in person allowed me to engage directly with other stakeholders—an experience that significantly deepened my understanding of both the technical content and the ICC hearing process.

As a member of the TCD Structural and IEBC subcommittees, I helped review proposals submitted by other organizations and participated in developing several proposals on behalf of WABO. I had the privilege of testifying in support of four WABO TCD proposals: EB36, RB171, EB50, and S169. While only RB171 and S169 were approved during CAH1, the feedback we received from committee members and opponents of EB36 and EB50 was constructive and will be instrumental in refining those proposals for Committee Action Hearing #2. We remain optimistic about improving their chances for approval in the next round.

Overall, the experience was both professionally rewarding and technically enriching. I am grateful for WABO’s continued support and look forward to contributing further to code development efforts at both the state and national levels.

Notes:

• EB36 relates to the trigger for additional plumbing fixtures in the IEBC
• EB50 relates to the assignment of risk category for additions in the IEBC
• RB171 and S169 relate to the location of notches and holes in sawn lumber in the IRC and IBC

Angela Haupt, CBO - City of Kirkland

Well, another hearing over. This CAH #1 was a bit different than the one last year. It seemed like we took more of a wait-and-see approach for a lot of proposals. I think we learned from last year’s experience that we could be ready to testify, but could make more of a game-time decision as to whether it was necessary or not. I did end up testifying a handful of times, and I think it went pretty well. I’m still working on being more relaxed at the microphone, but at least I’m not nervous about actually getting up there anymore.

There were a lot of residential proposals, but they went pretty fast. The IBC general proposals also moved along well. I anticipate that we will start our work for CAH #2 soon, and I’m ready for it.

Hoyt Jeter, PE - City of Tacoma

In the intricate world of building regulations and standards, the International Code Council (ICC) plays a pivotal role in shaping the safety and sustainability of our built environment. Attending an ICC 2025 Committee actions hearing—Group B1 code hearing isn't just an event; it's an immersive experience that offers profound insights and learnings for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Having recently participated, I am compelled to share the invaluable lessons gained and advocate for the broader engagement of stakeholders in these deliberations.

The ICC code hearings serve as a platform where individuals propose changes to the International Codes that are discussed, debated, and voted upon. These codes encompass building design, construction, maintenance, and safety regulations. From fire safety to energy efficiency, accessibility to structural integrity, every aspect undergoes meticulous scrutiny to ensure that the resulting codes reflect the latest advancements and best practices in the construction industry.

Lesson 1: Collaboration Breeds Excellence:

One of the most striking observations from the ICC code hearing is the testimonies for and against the code proposal. Professionals from diverse backgrounds—architects, engineers, builders, code officials, and industry experts—converge to contribute their expertise and perspectives through code change proposals, testimonies, and committee feedback (Vote for or against), all in the pursuit of enhancing the code for the better. This collaborative ethos underscores the collective responsibility we all share in safeguarding our communities and the importance of inclusivity in the code development process.

Lesson 2: Advocacy Amplifies Impact:

Participating in the ICC code hearing isn't merely about passive observation but active engagement and advocacy. Every attendee can voice their opinions, present supporting evidence, and propose for and against the code changes that align with their expertise. Whether advocating for enhanced sustainability measures, improved accessibility standards, improved structural standards, or heightened safety protocols, each contribution can shape the codes' future. Through effective advocacy, individuals can amplify their impact and drive meaningful change that resonates far beyond the confines of the hearing room.

Lesson 3: Education Fosters Empowerment:

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from attending the ICC code hearing is the knowledge gained throughout the process. From the technical nuances of building proposals, individual testimonies, and committee feedback are immersed in a rich learning environment that expands their understanding of the built code environment. This educational aspect empowers attendees to make informed decisions and cultivates a deeper appreciation for the complexities inherent in code development.

Conclusion:

Attending an ICC code hearing is more than just a professional obligation; it's a transformative experience that underscores the power of collective action and collaboration to progress toward a safe built environment. Through active engagement, advocacy, and testifying, participants can shape the trajectory of building codes and contribute to creating safer, more sustainable, and resilient structures.  I would strongly recommend that anyone who has not had the opportunity to attend one of the hearings on code development watch some of the process online through cdpACCESS, or even better, attend the next hearing.