Ask Me Anything: Your Questions About Board Service and More, Answered

David Spencer, CBO, President of the International Code Council’s Board of Directors, joined us on the Code Council’s online member community to answer member-submitted questions.  

From insights on board service and membership, to the future of the Code Council, here’s a recap of his answers.  

Editor’s Note: Some of the questions and answers have been edited for length. View the original “Ask Me Anything” post in “Talkin’ Shop” in the online member community, here. Learn more about David Spencer here.  

Q&A With David Spencer 

Has ICC explored partnering with a college or university, similar to FEMA’s partnership with Frederick Community College, to create a formal academic pathway where ICC certifications and professional experience can be converted into college credit toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in code administration, building safety, etc.? 

Spencer: The International Code Council’s Technical Training Program introduces building codes to high school and college students. I also know that there is a program (an ICC Chapter) at Chemeketa Community College with a Building Inspection Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  

Also, the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) has a Code Official Accreditation Program (COAP). These, along with the other programs and collaborations, lead me to believe there is much work being done around this topic.  

What are you most looking forward to at ICC’s annual conference? 

Spencer: While there are many things, I can’t tell you everything that might be planned (I don’t want to take away the element of surprise!).  

Personally, the year has been very eventful, and ICC has accomplished many things. I will be looking forward to seeing many of our members, longtime friends and colleagues, and hopefully meeting some new ones as well.  

It will also be a time for me to personally look back and reflect on the year, what was accomplished, and the objectives and initiatives I had planned for and worked to put into action. Working with the Board of Directors and our CEO over the past year has been an honor and a privilege. 

What excites you most about the future direction of ICC? 

Spencer: ICC is in a good place and going in a direction that will continue to strengthen the organization and its long-term success. With the Board of Directors hiring our new CEO John Belcik at the beginning of 2025, the Board of Directors and CEO are focusing on the future and “One ICC.” 

You might remember my Presidential theme for the year, “Leading the Way In a Changing World.” I also challenged the membership to think boldly and to consider what are the possibilities and opportunities that the International Code Council can achieve in the next 30 years. 

It will be exciting to see and watch where the future Board of Directors and our CEO will take the organization. 

Can you talk about how the broad strategic plan will be implemented by staff and dedicated members? 

Spencer: The ICC 2030 Strategic Plan is implemented in many different facets: 

1. The Board of Directors, working in conjunction with the CEO, will periodically review the three main pillars: Empowering Members, Protecting Communities and Strengthening ICC. These are then what one might call our “North Star.” While the public document is a high-level outward facing document, the Board of Directors and CEO work to make critical and important decisions that guide the organization in these directions. 

2. As for the team (staff) at ICC, those individuals are then guided by our CEO John Belcik in their functions in alignment with the 2030 Strategic Plan, as the Board of Directors only has one employee and that is the CEO. The CEO is then tasked with the day-to-day operations of the organization. 

3. As for members, being involved in committees of all kinds, the code development process, standards development processes and other activities all contribute to the mission and goals of ICC. Therefore, they contribute to the overall Strategic Plan. 

What is something that you wish every member of ICC knew?   

Spencer: I wish that every member knew the number of dedicated and passionate staff (or as I like to say, “ICC team” members) that work for the ICC family of solutions (or as we now like to say, “One ICC”).  

I have had the privilege of working with and meeting many of them, but not all. I have had many opportunities to see them in action, and each time I am impressed by their dedication to our organization, their professionalism and their passion for what we all do in our industry.  

What would it take for building safety and code administration to be seen as a cornerstone career in public service, and how can ICC lead that cultural shift? How do you see the role of building officials evolving beyond code enforcement into being recognized leaders in shaping safe, resilient and thriving communities? What can ICC do to help the public and elected officials better understand that our work is not just about compliance, but about protecting lives, safeguarding investments and strengthening trust in local government?  

Spencer: I believe there is only so much that the ICC can do. ICC can and does have programs, certifications and other tools to promote and enhance building safety and code administration in our profession. That being said, every individual must also have skin in the game as well, meaning they have to work themselves to promote the importance of what they do locally and at their respective jurisdictions. Too often we are quiet, and our roles only become visible when something then goes wrong.  

We need to be better at promoting “we do what we do for the ones we may never meet.” When we do our jobs correctly, people remain safe in the structures that we all live, work and play in, and therefore, our work goes unnoticed by design. We need to more effectively promote that as individuals in our profession. 

How did you become an ICC Board Director?   

Spencer: I originally got involved with ICC though a former ICC Director and mentor of mine, John Darnell, who said I should go to the code hearings and “learn how the sausage is made.“ He said it would help me understand the intent of the codes and how they are developed. After my first code hearings, I was hooked and wanted to keep coming back.  

This even caused me to then get more involved with the WABO Technical Code Development Program, and other programs in my own state chapter. Over time I was fortunate enough to receive four Code of Honor Scholarships through ICC to attend the code hearings. At that time, I was not even thinking of planning to run for the ICC board of Directors. I also had other opportunities to be involved in the ICC Building Membership Council, two of the ICC exams and testing committees, and even served on the ICC-ES Board of Managers.  

After about a six-year period of all of these various opportunities and activities, some individuals began asking me if I had ever thought about running for the Board of Directors. I then thought long and hard about what that meant and what service on the Board would be like. After discussions with my family and some careful consideration of whether I felt I could make a difference and contribute to the Board of Directors, I decided to run. I was fortunate to be successful on my first attempt, as this is not always the case. My time on the Board of Directors has been very rewarding, and I believe I have made an impact and contribution to both the Board and the ICC organization during my time. 

How much time does an average ICC Board Director spend in a year performing board service?  

Spencer: On average, about 25 to 30 days a year. Not all of those days are during the work week, though. There are four in-person board meetings (board meetings are typically held on weekends), chapter visits and other associated board duties. Of course, when you are on the executive committee, the time commitment is greater. 

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face as President and as a member of the Board of Directors? And how did you overcome these challenges? 

Spencer: My time on the Board of Directors and as President has been very rewarding. Ensuring I am diligent in maintaining the duties as President, while balancing my professional career, daily job responsibilities and personal life has been challenging at times.  

It’s important to have a good support system both personally and professionally. There are challenges in everything we do. It’s how you face those challenges as they come that matters most. Working with our CEO John Belcik and the Board of Directors this year has been an honor and I’m glad to be here.  

What advice would you offer to high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in building safety and code development? 

Spencer: It’s important to realize that there are many pathways to getting involved in building safety. Seek out and take opportunities to learn about the codes, even if it is just one that interests you now, like plumbing or mechanical. You might find that those initial interests lead to even bigger things than you could ever have imagined. When it comes to the possibilities ahead of you, you’re only limited by your own imagination.  

What are some general tips for building safety professionals who want to advance their careers? 

Spencer: Grow your professional network. There are many great code officials, permit techs, plans examiners, fire officials, code compliance officers, designers, engineers and architects in our industry, and the knowledge and experience available is extensive. Someone from somewhere has likely already reviewed it, permitted it, inspected it, or dealt with it in some way. 

Also, go to the ICC code hearings. It is the best place to learn the codes, why they are, what they are and how they came to be.  

Don’t be afraid to fail – it brings with it valuable lessons and experiences that will shape and improve your career. Challenge yourself. 

What’s one initiative or code development you’ve helped lead that you believe has made the biggest difference in improving public safety or sustainability in the built environment? 

Spencer: I haven’t led an initiative or code development that specifically improved public safety or sustainability in the built environment. However, I have participated in many things that I believe have made a difference such as my time spent on the ICC ES Board of Managers providing strategic oversight and guidance to ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-ES), a subsidiary of the International Code Council.  

My time spent on ICC exam and testing committees helped to shape and work on exams for code officials working in public safety. I believe my service on the ICC Board of Directors has made an overall positive impact on many things relating to improving public safety or sustainability in the built environment. 

What was the point in your life where being a code official was your goal? 

Spencer: Probably around my early 30s. For a long time, I had an interest in understanding and learning the “why” and “what” I was asked to do while in the construction trades. Sometimes it felt like things were not always the same – they may change from inspector to inspector, or even different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. This inspired me to learn more about the codes.  

I read the 2003 International Residential Code® (IRC) from cover to cover, not a recommendation for everyone though. I was then fortunate to be selected for my first inspector job in 2006. I had some great mentors in those first few years, and we remain close friends to this day. I took my first building official position in 2010 and have continued to grow throughout my career. The entire journey to now has been very rewarding both personally and professionally. 

How did your experience in trades and your experience with your father building houses shape you into who you are today? 

Spencer: My time spent working in the trades and in the family-owned construction company with my father taught me many things: the value of hard work, how to run a business, the value of customer service and integrity both professionally and personally. 

It also had an influence on my career as a code official. Since I spent many years on the “other side of the fence,” I work to approach every individual and their projects with respect and understanding. While an application for a project may just be another application or inspection for a code official in their daily functions and duties, it is many times one of the most impactful, and sometimes stressful, times for the individual or applicant.  

For example, in many instances, a home is one of the largest financial purchases many people will ever make. Providing quality customer service while ensuring code requirements are achieved is a key component of success in the process

Many of us believe our profession deserves the same academic pathways and recognition as planners or engineers. What steps can ICC take to champion that kind of visibility and legitimacy for future generations?  

Spencer: I think there are many different pathways to becoming a Code Official – it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Not all, but some may require academic pathways like planners, engineers, or architects. Some individuals come from the trades as well, just as I did and it brought with it great value to my career and growth as a code official.  

It’s important to know and realize that in the code profession a good mindset, a good demeanor and having a skill of providing good customer service are key elements. Our profession overall has mostly remained behind the scenes historically as the “silent defenders”. We need to do better in promoting what we do and why we do what we do in our profession. Many of us have become better at doing this, but we can always improve. 

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