May 6th, 2021
by Richard Hauffe

Everybody would like to hit the ground running when starting out in building code careers, but most new code professionals could use some help to guide their paths forward in the workplace.

The Emerging Leaders Membership Council (ELMC) hopes that its new, annual Trailblazer Award will promote the kinds of mentorships that are needed to create success stories for new generations of code officials. Applications to nominate an outstanding mentor are available online. The filing deadline for nominees to receive the 2021 Trailblazer Award is June 1.

“The Trailblazer Award was established to recognize inspiring examples of successful mentor relationships among veteran code officials and young careerists finding their paths in the built environment,” Andre Jaen, chair of the ELMC Governing Committee, said. “The Emerging Leaders Membership Council’s Governing Committee created this award to promote more and more veteran code officials to reach out and shape the next generation of code officials.”

Jaen, building permit supervisor for Jefferson County, Colo., said he benefited greatly from a mentor when he entered public service in his 20s. That was Jefferson County’s Chief Building Official Becky Baker, the 2017 recipient of the Gerald Jones Code Official of the Year Award and a past chair of the Building Membership Council.

“I will never forget what Becky did to inspire me and help my career take off,” Jaen said. “It’s an example of paying it forward. The reward is watching someone move ahead and hopefully pass along their knowledge and insights to another new code careerist.”

Jaen said applicants will be reviewed by a panel appointed to consider nominees in time for the next ELMC Governing Committee meeting on June 14.

The Trailblazer Award will be presented during the 2021 Code Council Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., at the joint meeting of the Code Council Membership Committees.

About the Author
Richard Hauffe
Richard Hauffe is a senior regional manager for Government Relations of the International Code Council whose region includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and Wyoming. He is a resident of Sioux Falls, S.D. Before starting with the Code Council in April 2011, he had been involved in non-profits, fundraising, political campaigns, polling, and research and marketing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from South Dakota State University and worked nine years as a reporter and photographer on a daily newspaper. He is also a former ironworker.