Orange County Building Official Thomas Allen will retire July 31, 2026, concluding a career spanning more than four decades in the construction industry and code administration. In that role he oversees the administration and enforcement of construction codes for one of Florida's largest and busiest jurisdictions, directing residential and commercial plan review operations and inspection teams specializing in building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical disciplines.
Among his accomplishments, the source cites his leadership of the Division of Building Safety through the process of earning International Accreditation Service accreditation in 2026, an effort his experience as an IAS Building Department Accreditation Lead Evaluator helped guide. He also created cross-disciplinary internship programs approved by the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board that help inspectors and plans examiners earn additional certifications.
His career includes leadership positions with Seminole County; the cities of Maitland, Port Orange and Mount Dora; Reedy Creek Improvement District; Lake County; and the International Code Council, where he served as Southeast Regional Manager for Government Relations. A past president of the Building Officials Association of Florida, he continues to serve on its Board of Directors. His honors include the association's Building Official of the Year award, multiple President's Awards for Outstanding Service, Lifetime Honorary Membership in the International Code Council and the Robert K. Becker Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in 2025.
Press release issued by Orange County Government Newsroom:
https://newsroom.ocfl.net/2026/07/orange-county-building-official-retires-after-lifetime-of-service/
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