Nick Heatherly

Southwest Missouri Code Officials was established March 3, 1992, as a local chapter of Building Officials and Code Administrators International. On Jan. 21, 2003, SMCO was approved for chapter status by the board of directors of the International Code Council. SMCO covers a 22-county region in southwest Missouri and comprises code administrators, plan reviewers, building inspectors, fire marshals, health inspectors, architects, engineers, contractors and safety equipment suppliers.

What is your job, and how did you become involved with SMCO?

I am the director of Building Development Services for the city of Springfield. As the building code official for the city, I felt it was important that our department be involved in this organization; to have the opportunity to meet and confer with other local and regional code officials; to discuss code development and enforcement; and to work together to ensure that all buildings are built to provide a minimum level of safety for occupants.

What is SMCO’s mission, and how is it achieved?

The chapter’s primary mission is educational, sponsoring a number of seminars and training sessions each year for its membership. We open these sessions to others in the design and construction fields in an effort to expand the level of knowledge to all parties involved in the construction of buildings. These programs provide an overview of the various codes, updates on code changes, and technical sessions on specific aspects of one of the codes.

How many members does SMCO have, and who is eligible to join?

Current membership is approximately 125, and membership is open to all individuals concerned or involved with the design and construction of structures.

What are some of the major issues faced by members?

The codes are continually evolving as new technologies are incorporated into construction and as lessons are learned from things gone wrong. The codes are amended every three years, and keeping our membership informed and up-to-date with the latest provisions can be a challenge.

What goals do you have for the organization under your leadership?

I hope to see our organization grow, both in numbers and its reputation as a leader in the field of promoting quality construction in southwest Missouri.