It is with great pride that
we announce the 2023-2024 CALBO Awards Recipients. We
are grateful for these CALBO members
contributions to the building-safety community.
Building Department of the Year
City of Malibu
The Building Department of the Year recognizes outstanding
leadership demonstrated by a jurisdiction over the preceding
year. As an organization of building departments,
CALBO bestows this honor upon the entire jurisdictional team that
works hard to serve California communities. We take
great pride in spotlighting the remarkable achievements of this
year’s recipient, City of Malibu, for
its dedication to building safety through effective
long-term disaster response, environmental sustainability,
and progressive technological
practices. This department has shown remarkable
adaptability and innovation, providing essential services and
care to communities increasingly vulnerable to climate change and
natural disasters. Please join us in celebrating the
achievements of the exemplary City of Malibu as CALBO’s 2023-2024
Building Department of the Year.
Building Official of the Year
Ron Takiguchi, P.E.
City of Pasadena (Retired)
As a peer-based award, the Building Official of the Year is
the most prestigious honor bestowed upon working Governmental
members of CALBO. It honors a single individual who
has shown exemplary leadership over the preceding year and
overall career. Mr. Ronald T. Takiguchi,
P.E. has been a career code official having served
the jurisdictions of County of Los Angeles, Cities of Santa
Monica, Burbank, recently retiring from City of
Pasadena. Currently, he serves as the Vice President
JAS Pacific. Outside of his work in various jurisdictions,
Takiguchi has been a familiar face at CALBO events over the years
whether volunteering as a course instructor and developer, CALBO
Policy Committee Member, or CALBO Board Director leading to
his election as CALBO President from 2016-2017 and Past President
from 2017-2018. It’s a great honor to celebrate his
remarkable career and contributions that now includes CALBO’s
2023-2024 Building Official of the Year.
Fire Officials of the Year
Ms. Darcy Davidson, Carlsbad Fire Department
Ms. Rebecca Leda, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
CALBO applauds the efforts of our fire service professionals
through recognition as the 2023-2024 Fire Official of the
Year. Realizing that public and building safety is a
shared responsibility with fire officials, CALBO works hard to
collaborate whenever possible as an association of local
governments. CALBO honors an exemplary Fire Official
each year as a partner and public safety leader within California
communities. Ms. Darcy Davidson of the
Carlsbad Fire Department serves as the 2023-24 President of the
Southern California Fire Prevention Officers and Ms.
Rebecca Leda of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire
District serves as the President of the Northern California Fire
Prevention Officers. Individually, as well as
collectively, these leaders serve as the embodiment of this
award. Their road as Presidents has been difficult,
navigating change between parent organizations and
members. They have provided positivity, resilience,
and an overall spirit of empowerment, not to mention result, not
exclusively to the FPO community, but to the greater code
official profession.
Industry Achievement
Energy Code Ace
Building industry colleagues are a significant player within the
CALBO membership, actively engaging beyond event exhibiting to
serve and promote the building and code official
profession. Each year, CALBO honors a standout
industry partner with the Industry Achievement
Award. CALBO members are familiar with this
organization, which acknowledges their long-standing commitment
and effective management of services across a wide range of
municipalities and jurisdictions. Their staff are frequent
chapter meeting and CALBO event attendees across California
ensuring educational opportunities, such as Education Week Lunch
and Learn events, CALBO sponsored webinars, and useful online
resources that highlight their commitment to our profession,
community, and members. When it comes to navigating the intricate
details of California’s Title 24, Part 6 building energy code and
Title 20 appliance standards, this organization is our go-to
resource. Their comprehensive suite of no-cost tools, trainings
and resources have kept us in compliance with ease. This
organization is powered by the California Statewide Codes and
Standards Program and vetted by the California Energy Commission.
We are honored to commemorate the significant contributions of
our partner, Energy Code Ace, as the
2023-2024 Industry Achievement Award winner.
Course Development Merit Award
Permit Technician Career Advancement Academy Content and Course
Developers
CALBO Training Institute launched its newest training endeavor,
Permit Technician Career Advancement Academy, last year to
redefine the future of counter technicians. This
groundbreaking Academy is dedicated to honing the technical and
interpersonal skills of counter technicians, paving the way for
stronger, more efficient building department operations and
services. With a focus on long-term career planning, this
academy is not just a training ground—it’s a transformative
journey towards leadership and professional growth. This new
Academy owes its success to the dedication and expertise of the
exceptional content contributors and visionary course
developers who are honored with the 2023-2024
Course Development Merit Award. These individuals have
contributed both their knowledge and passion into crafting
curriculum that transcends traditional training. Their
commitment to excellence is evident in the depth of the topics,
the richness of material, and the invaluable student support
provided. The academy extends heartfelt gratitude to these
remarkable individuals who served as the Academy course
developers and instructors for their invaluable contributions to
the advancement of our profession through the strengthening of
counter technicians. Click
Here for a list of the award recipients.
Lifetime Honorary Member
Stuart Tom
The membership of CALBO is pleased to honor Mr.
Stuart D. Tom, P.E. with Lifetime Honorary
Membership. A stranger to no one, Stuart has been a career
long code official having served the jurisdictions of the Cites
of Los Angeles, Glendale, and now Pasadena. Currently, he
is the Chief Technical Officer of JAS Pacific. Stuart is
known for his collaborative nature, having served to foster
connectivity between building and fire code officials.
Perhaps that is why he served as not only the Building Official
for the City of Glendale, but later as the Fire Marshal.
The hallmark of Stuart’s accomplished career is found in his
current capacity as the President of the International Code
Council (ICC). As ICC President, Stuart has worked to
tirelessly to represent the code official membership while
seeking to expand ICC’s global reach. Our CALBO Building
Official of the Year in 2006, Stuart is an exemplar of our
profession and with great pride, we honor him with Lifetime
Honorary Membership.
Congratulations to all!
For a complete list of CALBO Award Recipients from years past,
please visit the Award and
Hall of Fame page located on the CALBO website.
At CALBO’s 62nd Annual Business Meeting, members gathered for a week of networking, education, and professional development opportunities. Numerous workshops and seminars were held throughout the program’s four days. The 2024-2025 CALBO Board of Directors were elected and confirmed for the new membership year, and fellow members were honored for their contributions to our organization and industry. 
