Board Profile: John LaTorra
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The key for ICC's future success, says John LaTorra, is in partnerships that will benefit the industry as a whole. "ICC can't do it alone. We have to work harder at forming partnerships and truly creating one set of codes for our country, and then moving on to more global concerns.
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Although John LaTorra, Building and Inspection Manager for
Redwood City, Calif., and Code Council Board member, has been
working in building inspection for 33 years and managing the
Redwood City department for 22 years, his career path in college
nearly got him moving in another direction.
LaTorra earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in the
early 1970s, just as the Vietnam War was winding down. Timing,
it seemed, was everything.
 "At
that time, the aviation industry was in bad shape—there
were a lot of layoffs because military spending had been taken
away, not to mention that veterans were coming back into the
field with plenty of expertise," LaTorra said. "It
got me thinking about other career options."
High school summer jobs on construction sites had exposed
LaTorra to the industry, so when he saw a trainee building
inspector job announcement at the library, he knew it was
for him. He got the job, and his career took off from there.
Now he plays a key role in overseeing the development of Redwood
City, a town that LaTorra describes as "unique."
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, is located
in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, home to about
80,000 residents.
"In the time that I have been here, we have gone from
building subdivisions to constructing biotech and medical
facilities," LaTorra said, "and this in itself brings
additional code work and knowledge into the picture."
Many large corporations have facilities in Redwood City.
Some of these include Oracle, PDI/Dreamworks and Electronic
Arts. LaTorra said one of the most exciting occurrences in
recent years is the redevelopment of Redwood City's downtown,
which includes a shopping and entertainment component featuring
a 20-screen cinema complex.
 The
local rebirth also has led LaTorra to look more closely at
the operation of his own office and how it can better serve
the growing needs of the community. "We're getting the
inspectors out in the field more productively. We've started
Saturday inspections. The public loves to have the opportunity
to schedule inspections on a 'non-work' day.
"It also has become very important to us that the public
be able to reach us at their convenience. To do this, we give
out our cell phone numbers, which puts us in easy reach of
anyone in need of our services. Basically, it's a whole series
of small things that bring excellent customer service and
show that we are serious about being responsive. We have the
expertise, and we want the public to use it."
He feels strongly, too, that Redwood City and its residents
greatly benefit from his work with the International Code
Council.
"Involvement with ICC ensures that Redwood City will
get the best training and education that is out there. Beyond
that, we're able to find out a little bit more at what's behind
the codes that we're living and working by," LaTorra
said.
The key for ICC's future success, LaTorra said, is in partnerships
that will benefit the industry as a whole. "ICC can't
do it alone. We have to work harder at forming partnerships
and truly creating one set of codes for our country, and then
moving on to more global concerns.
"I've always felt fortunate to be involved with ICC
and in knowing that I play a small part in its successes,
but I have a mission, and that is to create one set of codes
for our country. I hope to see it happen during my board tenure.
If not, that's all right, too—the stage is being set
for it to happen."
 Along
with preparing ICC for a successful future, comes the preparation
of the next workforce generation, LaTorra said. "We're
in good hands. There are a lot of hardworking kids coming
up, and we can keep getting good people if we provide them
quality training. It's our obligation to help those coming
up to be better than us."
LaTorra said he very much appreciates the support of Redwood
City City Manager Ed Everett who has stood behind the ICC
efforts LaTorra has participated in.
"He understands the importance of getting involved in
an organization such as ICC, and he encourages me to get involved
in political and technical issues," LaTorra said.
Another strong supporter LaTorra is quick to give credit
to is his wife, Karen. "She's been very involved with
the ICC activities I've taken part in. Her support has been
an invaluable asset."
After work hours, LaTorra can often be found woodworking
or spending time on the softball diamond where he participates
in men's and co-ed leagues.
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