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Program staff members

For general information

Inspector Training Program
training.bcd@dcbs.oregon.gov
503-373-7974

Program staff members

Photo of Stephen Simms

Training and Outreach Manager
Stephen Simms
503-378-2827

Stephen Simms joined the Building Codes Division as the Training and Outreach Manager in August 2020 after serving as the Administrator of the Oregon State Apprenticeship and Training Division since 1996. As Apprenticeship Director Stephen promoted and regulated registered apprenticeship in a variety of occupations and trades, with a focus on the building and construction trades. Working with business, labor, government and educational institutions to increase training and employment opportunities in apprentice-able occupations, he has advocated collaborative partnerships between business and government. Stephen holds a BA in Business Administration from Marquette University and a JD from the University of Oregon School of Law.

Photo of Dana Fischer

Training Program Support Coordinator
Dana Fischer
503-373-7974

Dana Fischer has worked in the division since 1998 in a variety of positions, including plan intake for prefab and site-built structures; permit issuance in Salem and at various field offices around the state; and organizing code change and other priority development committees. In late 2012 the Training Program was create and in early 2013 Dana was asked to step in and help with the divisions new course development. She quickly made the career move as a permanent member of the Training Staff. She looks forward to the continued growth of the training program and meeting new students as each new course begins. Helping people fulfill a dream is something Dana enjoys.

Photo of Nick Armstrong

Training Administrative Support
Nick Armstrong
503-378-5331

Nick has worked Building Codes since September of 2016. Nick has had the opportunity to work in BCD’s Policy and Fiscal sections before joining the Training Program in the summer of 2020. Nick supported the policy section with code adoption committee facilitation and tracking various policy communications. During Nick’s time with BCD’s fiscal section he helped in the mail room, processing a variety of credit card payment transactions, and various section needs. Nick will be supporting the training program with course tracking including student attendance, exam scores, reviewing course material and other documents, and handling much of the email inquires on how to become and inspector. He is excited to learn more about the Training Program and how to use that knowledge to better serve students and staff.

Photo of Tim Zimmerman

Electrical Code Specialist, Trainer
Tim Zimmerman
503-899-2177

Tim Zimmerman began his electrical career in 1977 after being accepted into the four year IBEW apprenticeship program. In 1982 Tim opened his own electrical contractor’s business and in 1996 joined BCD team as the Coos County Electrical Inspector. Part of Tim’s career included teaching electrical continuing education classes for 20 years. Tim joined the training team in July 2020 and looks forward sharing his knowledge with those seeking to become residential electrical inspectors.

Photo of Max Butler

Plumbing Code Specialist, Trainer
Max Butler
971-375-7033

Max Butler has worked in the plumbing and building industry for over 12 years. He worked as a plumber in the Willamette valley for nearly 8 years with experience in residential, commercial, and industrial installation. He has also served the plumbing community as an apprenticeship instructor and JATC member for Area II. Max joined BCD’s training program in early 2019 as the Plumbing Code Specialist and Trainer. "I have always looked up to inspectors, and now I can be a part of what makes ours the best around." Max brings a new perspective to the next generation of Oregon plumbing inspectors and is glad to be a part of BCD.

Photo of Kevin Ellis

Structural Code Specialist, Trainer
Kevin Ellis
971-375-7363

Kevin Ellis grew up in Los Angeles and worked as a framer and finish carpenter for residential, commercial and TV/movie set construction for 15 years. He hung up his bags in 2005 to begin studying to become a building inspector. Since 2006 Kevin has worked as a Permit Technician, Building Inspector, and Senior Building Plans Examiner. He covered all facets and disciplines of building inspection and plan check, and also shared in the responsibility of training new plan check staff. Kevin joined the division in early 2019 as Structural Code Specialist, but quickly moved over to the training program as the structural trainer. "I am excited to have the opportunity to share my construction, inspection and plan check experience and knowledge with the next generation of inspectors and plans examiners through the BCD Academy and other trainings offered by the BCD Training Program."

Supplementary staff

Photo of Andy Skinner

Plumbing Program Chief, Trainer
Andy Skinner
503-373-7488

Andy Skinner brings more than 30 years of plumbing industry experience to the classroom. He has worked for the division for over 20 years, serving as plumbing chief, inspector, and trainer. In addition, he has owned and operated a plumbing business, consulted with a confederated tribe, and instructed a plumbing apprenticeship in eastern Oregon. Andy currently teaches plumbing inspector cross-training courses. His diverse experience and familiarity with plumbing codes, designs, intent, and installations provide a wealth of knowledge for students to learn from. “My goals for the training program are to help build knowledge and consistency of the plumbing codes, and to train on special systems that are unique to the trade,” said Andy. “This will ensure that inspectors become a valuable tool for their jurisdictions.”

Photo of Marcus Stovall

Assistant Plumbing Chief, Trainer
Marcus Stovall
971-707-0935

Marcus Stovall has worked in the plumbing and building industry for 18 years. He worked as a plumber for a company for several years and then transitioned to owning his own plumbing business for a few years. He then turned his attention to becoming a plumbing inspector and worked for various jurisdictions. Marcus joined BCD in October 2016 as deputy assistant plumbing chief. He assists with training and the regional program. He is pleased to be part of the BCD team, adding: "I enjoy teaching the curriculum and I want to see students succeed."

Photo of Richard Rogers

Chief Building Official
Richard Rogers
503-378-4472

Richard Rogers is an Oregon native and has always lived in the Salem area. He has a diverse background in both residential and commercial construction. In August 2000, transitioned from private construction to the regulatory environment at the Building Codes Division as the fire, life-safety/ADA code specialist. In 2002, he was appointed as the structural program chief, a position which included responsibilities such as dispute resolution and oversight of the state’s structural, residential, mechanical, and energy codes. In 2013, Richard assumed a new role, chief building official, with an emphasis on providing oversight and direction for implementing the division’s goals of uniformity, consistency, and predictability in the administration and enforcement of the statewide building code.

Photo of Tony Rocco

Structural Program Chief
Tony Rocco
503-910-1678

Tony Rocco has worked in the construction industry for more than 14 years, including six years with the Building Codes Division, which he joined in 2011. In addition to previously owning and operating two successful construction-related companies, Tony has obtained 11 certifications related to inspection, plans examination, and building official duties along with a related second college degree. As part of the Policy and Technical Services Structural/Mechanical Program team at BCD, Tony provides support regarding stakeholder inquiries, code change processes, interpretations, board activities, and also leads the plan review team on division special projects.

Photo of Mark Heizer

Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineer, P.E.
Mark Heizer
971-600-6821

Mark Heizer came to BCD with more than 25 years of HVAC design experience. A mechanical engineer, he has designed everything from a drive-through coffee shop to a full U.S. embassy compound. Mark has been responsible for technical support, code development, and interpretations for Oregon’s Mechanical, Energy, and Reach Codes for seven years at BCD. Mark served as vice chair of the ICC Sustainability, Energy, and High Performance Code Action Committee, authoring several substantive revisions to the 2015 and 2018 International Energy Conservation Codes, as well as the 2015 International Green Construction Code. “My goal is to keep the students awake for the most boring portion of the presentation. Trust me, few fall asleep."

Photo of Jeremy Williams

Structural Program Engineer, P.E.
Jeremy Williams
503-930-9039

Jeremy Williams joined BCD in May 2017 with 14 years experience in structural engineering. His experience includes the design, review, and project management of commercial, industrial, and residential building construction, tenant improvements, seismic evaluations, seismic retrofits, and a variety of site development, transportation, and transit related structures. Jeremy is the structural program engineer within BCD’s Policy and Technical Services section and is responsible for statewide technical support, code interpretations, code development, and structural engineering plan review on special projects.