James “Jim” Ellwood of Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland, was the International Code Council’s Career Development Liaison, responsible for managing the organization’s Safety 2.0 Technical Training Program (TTP). He championed building code knowledge and awareness by promoting public safety, health and welfare related to construction.

His passion for educational advocacy, including encouraging students to seek and train for building construction careers, earned him the Code Council’s 2016 President’s Award for outstanding contribution to the organization’s goals, vision and mission.

After Ellwood’s passing in April of 2023, his family was invited to the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association’s (VBCOA) Annual Banquet held in September to celebrate his life and accomplishments with over 250 VBCOA members and partners.

During the banquet, Past President and Special Projects Manager for Alexandria, Virginia’s Department of Code Administration, Pete Mensinger, CBO, presented the Outstanding Public Service Award to Ellwood’s wife Fran and his daughter Ashley. The plaque was given in special recognition and appreciation for Ellwood’s exceptional service, interest and initiative in promoting students’ education nationwide.

Ellwood Spearheaded Training Programs for the Next Generation of Construction Professionals
Ellwood’s inexhaustible leadership provided education and achievement certificate programs for students in high schools, technical training programs and community colleges across Virginia.

“Jim was a visionary,” Mensinger said. “He was an engaging leader, a mentor, and a friend. He made a huge impact on people, especially the students whom he inspired.”

During the banquet presentation, Mensinger recalled working with Ellwood in 2014, at the behest of former VBCOA president Sean Ferrell. Mensinger said that “a dedicated and passionate Maryland man met me in Richmond. He was seeking approval from the Virginia Department of Education for a certification of achievement program for building trade students and high school architecture programs throughout the Commonwealth.”

Within two years, Ellwood and the VBCOA had the program up and running, quickly becoming a national leader in high school technical training as a jump start for those planning on construction industry careers.

At the outset, Ellwood said, “We owe it to our children to do more to help them succeed in the building industry and in their careers.”

Over 26 high schools and community colleges signed up to utilize the program, which has since worked with over 1,480 students and produced 1,841 certificates of achievement. Since the Virginia debut, the TTP has supported curriculum in over 32 schools.

Inspired Through the Habitat for Humanity Mission
“Jim was tireless, frequently driving from near Baltimore, Maryland to all over Virginia, in his support to help educate tomorrow’s building trade leaders,” said Mensinger.

He remembered that Ellwood discovered his passion for helping students after a Habitat for Humanity project in 2009. Ellwood knew that local high school students would be building a home for a needy family, and he was motivated by those kids’ willingness to offer good to their community.

Ellwood met with those students and worked with them on the Habitat home’s plans and permit applications. He taught how necessary the building codes were while completing the house. His first curriculum was developed during that project to help the volunteers learn about building and trade codes.

As Ellwood worked alongside school instructors, he understood the importance of adding code knowledge to student toolboxes, especially for those not interested in pursuing a traditional college path.

Ellwood’s Inspirational and Award-Winning Career
In 2016, the VBCOA received the Code Council’s Chapter Merit Award to recognize commitment to member education, community service and raising the profile of building professionals.

Many attributed that award to Ellwood’s time, effort and hours making presentations to many schools. For that award, former Code Council President Cash Olszowy said, “The vision and energy behind the high school technical training program can be attributed to many people, but one stands out. Jim Ellwood embodies the spirit and passion of inspiring high school students around the country to join the program. This man is truly inspirational.”

Jim Ellwood had a vision for the next generation of building trades and code compliance professionals. He wrote about the process as well, with topics such as “What Makes a Career and Technical Instructor?”

His loved ones note his use of intelligence, practicality and humor throughout his life, and remembered his favorite quote: “you just gotta be smarter than what you are working with, i.e. a door.”

One of Ellwood’s proudest moments as a mentor was with his beloved granddaughter Piper. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Piper Stoddard College Fund.

Safety 2.0 is the Code Council’s signature initiative to welcome a new generation of members and leaders to the building safety profession. Click here to participate in the valuable Mentor Program and help strengthen the future of construction trades.

NOVEMBER 7TH, 2023
by Karin McKie

https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-perspectives/construction-educator-jim-ellwood-honored-with-virginia-public-safety-award/

Above you will find the most recent Virginia Building and Code Officials Association Podcast episode!  This podcast discusses the codes and people who ensure the everything built is safe and meets the code. The podcast can be listened to on most podcast platforms or by following this link to Spotify.

In June, a milestone was reached. All members of The Customer Service Center, representing Building Inspection and Public Utilities, became certified as International Code Council Permit Technicians. To obtain this certification each employee must attend two prerequisite courses and then take the International Code Council Exam. This exam is challenging because it requires the Permit Technician to think beyond the scope of their daily process to an international level. The certification examination covers a wide range of topics and has questions related to business management, legal, zoning, and building codes. To maintain certifications at the state level, each Permit Technician is then required to obtain sixteen hours of continuing education every other year. There is an additional requirement for hours to be obtained and submitted every three years to renew their certification at the international level.

Once certified, permit staff participate in monthly ride-a-long ’s with Building Inspectors to enhance their field knowledge along with their understanding of the inspection process. These field inspections provide an opportunity for continued growth as well as the ability for office staff to keep a good pulse on development in the county on both a Commercial and Residential level.

Goochland is a smaller locality when compared with neighboring counties such as Henrico and Chesterfield. In Henrico, there are three levels of Permit Technicians with only level three requiring the Permit Technician Certification. Currently, Chesterfield has fifty percent of its Permit Technicians certified. Goochland County strives for excellence and requires all Customer Service Center representatives to obtain their certification. This requirement reflects the importance Goochland County places on career development and education. Having all permit staff certified, from entry level positions through management, is a major accomplishment.