Texas Code Leader Michael Shannon Receives 2024 Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award

A 26-year industry veteran, Mike Shannon received the Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award at the International Code Council’s 2024 Annual Conference, with Gerald H. Jones in attendance at the ceremony.

The Code Official of the Year Award is presented in honor of the founders of the three model code organizations, Albert H. Baum, M.L. Clement and Phil Roberts, and recognizes individuals whose contributions strive to advance the code enforcement profession and the mission of the Code Council.

“Michael has played a pivotal role in advancing the building code and enforcement industry in Texas through a series of impactful policies and initiatives,” said Code Council Board Member and award co-presenter Angie Wiese in her speech while presenting the award.

“I was truly surprised and humbled to be the recipient of this year’s award, especially with so many excellent building and code officials around the country,” Shannon said. “I am fortunate to be counted as one of them. I am truly blessed to have a chance to do what I love with the amazing San Antonio team.”

A Lifelong Interest in Building Safety

Currently, Shannon is San Antonio’s Development Services Director, as well as the temporary Animal Care Services Director.

“I have been interested in building and construction since high school and ever more so after I received my engineering master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute,” he said. “The idea of building structures that are safe and will stand the test of time to serve the community – whether housing, retail stores, new schools or industrial development – has always attracted me.”

He worked in the private sector for several years as a design engineer and consultant on large-scale commercial projects. In 2002, he moved to San Antonio with his soon-to-be-wife Veronica, where he became a Fire Protection Engineer.

“I fell in love with customer work and wanted to ensure that development and construction were safer through plan review and inspections,” said Shannon. He advanced through the Development Services Department, eventually appointed as Director in 2017.

Shannon continues to champion education, professional development and obtaining certifications through the San Antonio Building Codes Academy (SABCA). SABCA provides specialized code training for staff, engineers, architects and external contractors to ensure the community is informed about effective implementation strategies for current codes.

He and his team are actively involved in Code Council groups, including the nominating and membership steering committees as well as with the Building Membership Council. Shannon was a Fire Safety Committee Member from 2007-2015, on the general committee from 2018-2022 and served on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) Appeals Board.

Shannon’s Development Services Department Oversees San Antonio’s Safety

As Director, Shannon oversees 500 staffers, with core responsibilities including plating, zoning, code enforcement, plan review, traffic engineering, graffiti abatement, plus permitting and inspections of all commercial and residential buildings. He also oversees the city’s short-term rental permitting, proactive apartment inspection program and affordable housing teams.

This year, Shannon secured City Council funding to address code violations for seniors and residents living with disabilities. He also established a proactive apartment inspection team dedicated to bringing low-income complexes into compliance.

“Michael procured funds to provide free assistance to residents, helping with code compliance items such as the outside placement of vegetation to avoid citations,” said Amin Tohmaz, Shannon’s co-worker for over 20 years. “He gives a compassionate approach to public safety and taking care of people.”

To enhance enforcement of the 2021 IECC, Shannon launched a specialized energy team.

“I appreciate that my team and I get to partner with my community to build and maintain a safer city for our residents and visitors,” Shannon said. “We review subdivision and construction plans for safety code compliance, provide inspections for safe construction while also working to ensure that dangerous structures are either secured or abated to keep our neighborhoods safe. It’s wonderful to know that we get to make our community a safer and better place to live, work and play.”

“Whether working for a large city like San Antonio or smaller jurisdictions around the country, I have found code officials and their staff to be some of the most hard-working and caring professionals in the nation,” Shannon added. “The design and development customers that we work with are more innovative and smarter than ever. Together, we work to meet the demands of our communities by producing needed housing and job development opportunities.”

Going paperless is another step forward for Shannon and his office. They now accept online applications and service requests, review electronic documents and issue e-permits, resulting in timelier and more efficient permitting and inspection processes. This technology allows Shannon’s team to use data more frequently to decide resource allocation more effectively.

Building Safety Industry Mentors Pay It Forward

Roderick Sanchez was Shannon’s boss and mentor in San Antonio for over 15 years. “He taught me the importance of building partnerships with our area’s customers, neighborhood associations and development affiliates to create better safety and development codes,” Shannon said. “Working together as partners, rather than against each other, produces much better results.”

Shannon looks forward to the future within his office and beyond. He wants to grow future Code Council leaders from his department. “San Antonio is fortunate to have some of the most experienced, qualified and passionate safety professionals,” he said. “We will be working to encourage more committee and leadership positions within the Code Council to further our collective mission.”

He pays it forward by mentoring others himself, including Tohmaz.

“Mike is a large reason for my current involvement with the Code Council and the local Alamo Chapter,” said Tohmaz.

Co-worker and Development Services Engineer Rachel Parrish concurs.

“Mike has personally mentored me over the last year, and I attribute a great deal of my success to his guidance,” she said. “He has worked hard to encourage innovation in this department and to become a model for best practices in our industry. He is the most deserving person I can think of to receive the Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award. I’m ecstatic!”

“I would encourage anyone to join the construction industry because it’s an exciting career with many opportunities for personal and professional growth,” said Shannon. “Our communities deserve redevelopment and new development.”

To learn more about the Code Council’s annual awards, click here.