Richard Witt received a meritorious service award to recognize his eight years of service to VBCOA as Director of Regulatory Compliance, a Governor-appointed position, for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
The award was presented at the 2017 Virginia Building and Code Official’s Annual School and Conference in Williamburg, Virginia on September 19, 2016.
Rick has dedicated his professional career for over 30 years to promoting building safety at the local, state and national levels. His service to VBCOA includes a seven year position as Legislative Chair, coordinating with lobbyists and members of the Virginia General Assembly to gain a 100% success rate on bills that affected the building community.
In 2016 his commitment to building safety earned him recognition by the International Code Council as Building Official of the Year. Other accomplishments include serving as the Vice Chair of the ICC Codes and Standards Council, Chair of the Board of International Professional Standards (BIPS), the Professional Development Council, and the Certification Committee.
Rick has been instrumental in the expansion and growth of the Virginia Building Code Academy and the Building Code Academy Advisory Committee (BCAAC). He worked tirelessly to recognize many VBCOA members by recommending them for code development committee service and seeking others out to apply for committee service.
Rick began his career as a mechanical and plumbing plan reviewer in Chesterfield County. He currently serves as the Building Official. He advises anyone considering a career in code enforcement to take technical classes, gain field experience, attend college for a 2 year engineering related degree, and obtain ICC certifications, or combinations thereof. Rick says the career rewards are being able to see the product of your work; new structures, commercial development, the revitalization of older neighborhoods and the pride of the people who live and work in the neighborhoods.
Rick looks forward to passing the baton to the new generation of Code people and possibly still being involved with codes as long as it doesn’t interfere with his golfing! He attributes his success to working with and leading highly qualified and dedicated people.