Redefining Leadership in Building Safety: Omarys Vasquez’s Career Journey and Lasting Influence

Through her role as State Building Inspector with Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, Division of Regulatory Compliance, Omarys Vasquez is known for advancing a collaborative code discussion that values all perspectives for safer communities with a lasting impact. As an industry innovator, she’s also known for advancing women’s leadership roles in building safety.  

Vasquez is the second woman to serve as Connecticut’s state building inspector since 1971 serving as the state’s first appointed minority and now longest serving woman state building inspector in Connecticut’s history. She is also a founding architect of the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAct). 

“Stepping into this role was intimidating at first, but it also reinforced an important lesson early on: when opportunities come your way, you have to be willing to step forward, even if you’re not completely sure where they will lead,” said Vasquez, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED-AP. “You may be surprised at what you’re capable of when you do.”   

Following 16 years as an architect in her close to 20-year career, Vasquez said her transition into building safety was pragmatic.  

“Right out of college, my initial motivation was probably more practical than I realized at the time,” she said. “I didn’t love having to revise my work repeatedly while being mentored by more experienced architects early in my career. But looking back, that experience ended up shaping everything that followed in a really positive way.” 

Code Competency: A Framework for Efficiency  

Increasing her code knowledge as a designer improved Vasquez’s problem-solving efficiency.  

“As I became more familiar with the code, I started to see it less as an obstacle and more as a framework that actually made me a better, faster, and a more confident designer,” said Vasquez. “I began memorizing chapter structure, and eventually specific requirements like accessibility reach ranges, shaft ratings and egress provisions. The more comfortable I became with the code, the less time I spent searching through it — and the more time I could focus on design and problem-solving at the schematic level.” 

Her deepening code knowledge also led to a change in the workplace. Coworkers started coming to Vasquez with code questions, which led to her developing code summaries and assisting with plan reviews.  

“That experience helped me realize how much I enjoyed the intersection of design and code compliance and ultimately led me toward building safety as a career path where I could use both perspectives in a more meaningful way,” Vasquez said. 

Mentors Matter  

Along her journey, Vasquez recalled two mentors who were especially influential: Ron Cooper, a registered architect, and Philip Sherman, P.E., a code consultant.  

Both played an important role in her professional development—not only through their technical expertise, but in how they emphasized the importance of detailing and understanding the building codes at a deeper level. Vasquez credits Cooper and Sherman with encouraging her to think critically and to stay grounded in the details.  

“From Phil in particular, I learned to focus not just on what the code requires, but why it requires it—an approach that shaped how I continue to evaluate and apply code today,” she said. “I also found value in supplementing that understanding through resources like International Code Council (ICC) opinions and other formal interpretations which helped reinforce a more thoughtful, well-rounded perspective.”   

The Inspector Life    

As Connecticut’s state building inspector, Vasquez works closely with the Codes and Standards Committee and other state partners to help guide the development, administration and consistent enforcement of the Connecticut State Building Code.  

In this role, she oversees a team of building officials and inspectors. With the help of her team, Vasquez supports code updates and amendments, issues interpretations and advisories, reviews appeals and modification requests and promotes consistent application of the code across all municipalities. 

Her department also supports day-to-day code enforcement by responding to technical questions, managing permits, inspections and certificates for state-owned buildings and overseeing elevator and boiler inspection programs. Vasquez and her team also follow legislation affecting the built environment and play a key role in the training, education and licensure of building officials, ensuring a well-informed and capable code enforcement community. 

Members of Vasquez’s team reinforce her tangible successes.  

“Omarys’ contributions have significantly strengthened our collaborative work environment and have advanced the quality and consistency of our code-related operations statewide,” said Technical Services Building Official Joseph Summers, MCP, CBO, Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.  

“Working with Omarys is consistently rewarding,” he added. “She fosters open and thoughtful discussion on the intent, structure and application of building code provisions, ensuring that every team member’s perspective is heard and valued. Her ability to guide dialogue with clarity and respect has elevated the entire team’s effectiveness.”  

Summers expanded on the wide scope of duties within their department, and how Vasquez’s leadership has shaped a positive team culture.   

“Over the past year, my work with OSBI has shown me the wide-ranging nature of our responsibilities—from researching the history and development of code sections, responding to inquiries from the public and supporting the preparation of statewide presentations. Throughout this work, Omarys’ leadership has been evident. Her engagement, support and steady guidance contribute directly to a team culture grounded in professionalism, growth and high standards.” 

What motivates Vasquez the most is knowing the work her and her team do has a real and lasting impact on their communities. 

“Together, we help shape equitable environments where people can live, work and gather safely, comfortably and with confidence in their long-term resilience,” said Vasquez. “I’m driven by the belief that everyone deserves buildings that are not only well-designed and durable enough to stand the test of time and climate change, but also constructed in a way that remains achievable and affordable.” 

Vasquez said it is equally important to find balance as construction costs continue to rise, and materials, energy standards and product availability evolve within an ever-changing economic and political landscape.  

“Our work helps protect both public safety and the investments behind each product while supporting thoughtful, practical decisions that allow communities to continue building spaces that serve people well for generations,” she said.

Future Goals  

Vasquez’s top future goal is to continue helping strengthen the building and design industry’s understanding of building codes in a way that feels practical, approachable and useful in day-to-day work. 

“I truly believe knowledge is power, and when we take the time to educate, share and support one another, we raise the level of the entire industry,” Vasquez said. “My hope is that more professionals across the state feel confident in the code—not just as a requirement, but as a tool that helps them build safely and successfully. When that happens, everyone benefits, and we continue improving the quality of buildings across Connecticut.” 

Additionally, Vasquez wants her administration’s outreach and relationships with organizations and state agencies to grow. 

“Building that kind of mutual collaboration helps us better understand each other’s challenges and find more balanced, effective solutions for the people we all serve,” she said. 

The positive results of Vasquez’s efforts are clearly visible across the state.  

“Her dedication not only improves our internal operations but also positively impacts the communities we serve,” Summers said. “Her leadership continues to set an example of excellence within the agency.”  

At the same time, Vasquez said she is always looking for better, more efficient ways to work. As demands continue to grow, she wants her team to be thoughtful about how they use tools and processes that keep them responsive and effective while still maintaining the care and attention that good code enforcement requires. 

Tips for Women in Building Safety 

Vasquez’s activities to boost visibility for women in the industry include speaking alongside a panel of state leaders at the Capitol News Briefing on National Working Moms Day. 

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the building code is something you grow into: it takes time and practice to understand its structure and language, but once you do, it becomes much more navigable,” Vasquez said. “And even then, there is always room for interpretation and improvement—which is why thoughtful discussion around the code is so important.” 

Her top advice for women entering careers in building safety and construction?  

“Stay open, stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions or learn from every perspective in the room,” she said. “Understanding the ‘why’ behind code provisions is just as important as knowing the ‘what.’ I’ve also learned that dialogue will always take you further than debate—listening and working through differences leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.” 

Finally, she advises career seekers to treat people with respect, regardless of title or background. 

“Whether it’s an owner, contractor or design professional, approaching every interaction with professionalism and openness helps build trust and stronger working relationships. That kind of collaboration is what ultimately moves the industry forward,” Vasquez said.  

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