Board Profile: Steve Shapiro
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While Code Council Board President Steve Shapiro takes great pride in his community's past, and the long-standing importance codes have played in construction throughout human history, he knows that it is the future of code enforcement and building safety that deserve priority number one - and he sees ICC's role as a critical in accomplishing this goal.
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In his position as Director of Codes Compliance for the City
of Hampton, Va., Steve Shapiro, International Code Council
Board of Directors President works to ensure the safety
of construction in this very historic American town. Hampton,
a city of nearly 150,000 residents, holds an important claim
to fame in U.S. history, boasting the esteemed title as the
first continuous English-speaking settlement, with roots that
can be traced back to 1610.
 While
Shapiro takes great pride in Hampton's past, and the long-standing
importance codes have played in construction throughout human
history, he knows that it is the future of code enforcement
and building safety that deserve priority number one—and
he sees ICC's role as a critical in accomplishing this goal.
"ICC is going to have to be sharp, not only for codes,
but also for new products. Codes have to evaluate these products
and the developing technologies. Training and certification
need to be on the front burner," Shapiro said. "This
is not a time for us to rest on our laurels."
Shapiro also points to a continued need for ICC to stay in
touch with its members and meet their current needs, while
anticipating future ones. He said an ad hoc ICC committee
soon will examine what members expect and what they want to
get out of their affiliation with the council. A self-described
introvert with an "even temper and level attitude,"
Shapiro feels he has a calming effect on board members, often
lending a hand in bridging two sides of an issue.
"One of my strengths is that I have a quick wit and
am very approachable. If a discussion becomes heated, I can
jump in after the 'fire' has died down and provide input that
often diffuses the situation, leading to a productive resolution,"
Shapiro said.
Because Virginia operates under a statewide building code
(based on the I-Codes), the work of ICC affects Shapiro on
a day-to-day basis. "ICC needs to be strong because it
will be the law that we live by here in Virginia."
 He
added that Hampton also is a governmental member of ICC. "The
city is a member of ICC, and I am the face behind that representation,
so of course I take my role very seriously. The work I do
as part of ICC has huge international implications along with
the local implications for Hampton."
While Hampton is not faced with new growth issues, it has
challenges of its own regarding redevelopment that come across
Shapiro's desk every day.
"Since there is not much open land left in this area,
the focus becomes re-development." Shapiro noted.
 When
Shapiro needs to cast a wider net and get opinions on work-related
issues, he is glad to have the network of professionals that
comes along with the ICC. He credits ICC members representing
a wide range of expertise for being a simple phone call or
email away. "ICC members provide an invaluable support
net for me. When I am faced with an issue that I have never
seen before, I've got people I can call, people I can trust
to give me honest opinions and useful, relatable information."
Also providing solid backing and support for Shapiro and
his ICC mission is Hampton City Manager Jesse Wallace, who,
Shapiro said, has been behind his ICC participation 100 percent.
"I'd also like to thank the folks in my department who
keep the ship running while I'm gone, and to my wife who covers
the home base," Shapiro said.
One of the biggest hopes he has for ICC is that it continues
to play a role in guiding those interested in the code enforcement
field.
"I want everyone reading this to know that I am very
approachable and interested in providing information to anyone
considering the building field or code enforcement as a career—I
hope they consider ICC a valuable career resource."
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