Conference and Trade Show Seminar Speakers

Joe Belcher Joe Belcher, President-Owner, JDB Code Services, Inc. is an independent code consultant with more than 25 years experience in code enforcement and development. He is a Florida Certified General Contractor and a certified Building Official. He is the former Building Official for Gainesville, FL. Belcher remains involved in the development of the Florida Building Code and is active in the development of the International Building and International Residential Codes. Special Note: Please come listen to Joe on Saturday, April 26 at the World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference.

Frank Bennardo Frank L. Bennardo, P.E., President, Engineering Express®. Frank has been an active consulting engineer in Florida since 1996. He has also been licensed and practiced as a general contractor. He has used his experiences as an engineer and contractor to identify shortfalls in the everyday needs of contractors, manufacturers, homeowners, architects, and developers. He has focused his talents on the development of an engineering company that utilizes state-of-the-art technology, cutting edge industry resources, and a highly skilled staff to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Engineering Express® is the realization of that dream now with 13 specialized departments and licenses in 25 states in the US and growing.

Darius Grimes Darius H. Grimes CRC, CSI, CDT, CWMS. Darius experience combines a diverse 25+ year career in manufacturing, distribution and construction with a talent for complex design and innovative solutions. His many contributions to the construction industry are based on a well developed consultative approach reflecting years of hands-on experience, engineering understanding, and development of installation techniques earning him national industry recognition. He specializes in the development of products and techniques for mitigating damage from wind and water; improving technical training in regards to installation, and supporting multiple organizations focused on increasing sustainable design in the built environment.

Richard Kleiner Richard Kleiner is Director of Treated Lumber Markets for the Southern Forest Products Association. Founded in 1915, SFPA is one of the oldest trade associations in the country, representing the Southern Pine lumber manufacturing industry and affiliate lumber treaters and laminators. Kleiner joined SFPA in 1998 as a Marketing Manager, eventually became Director of Industrial Markets, and then assumed his current responsibilities in 2003. His role includes promotion efforts for a wide range of applications suitable for the use of pressure-treated wood products, including outdoor decks, marine construction, and termite-resistant framing. He is frequently called upon to address topics of concern to the building trades, including the lumber industry’s transition to the new generation of wood preservatives, moisture management and mold prevention. Most recently, his efforts have focused on promotion of wood-framed raised floor systems throughout the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast. Kleiner was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he still resides. He joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, and during his military service, attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in Mass Communications. Following military service, Kleiner served as public relations director for the Louisiana Chemical Association.

Don Leggett Don Leggett, Vice President of Risk Management, Insurance Office of America, Chief Executive Officer Advanced Energy Solutions of America. Don Leggett has been a leader in the business world for 26 years. His award winning businesses include insurance agencies, electrical contracting, and an international manufacturing and distributing painting tool distributor ranked in the Fortune Magazine top 2000 . Don appears on Fox TV as an expert in business, insurance and disaster planning.

Adrian Lemon Adrian Lemon, Sales Executive, Elero USA. Lemon has been a sales executive with Elero USA since 1995 and has been primarily responsible for the development of sales and training applications to the rolling shutter industry. Elero USA is a subsidiary of Elero gmbh, a high-quality manufacture of motors and controls for many industrial applications. Previous to Elero USA, Lemon held positions in sales and sales management in the window treatments related industry selling to OEMs, fabricators and retailers.

Helmy A. Makar, P.E., M.S. Helmy A. Makar, P.E., M.S. Product Control Examiner – Product Control Division of Miami-Dade County’s Building Code Compliance Office since 1995. Reviews engineering plans, calculations, laboratory test reports, product specifications and rational analysis for variety of structural products and building materials to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code and other applicable Codes and Regulations and issues their Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Provides technical assistance and code interpretation to the local building officials, architects, engineers, contractors, the general public, and the Board of Rules and Appeals on appeal cases. Develops procedures for the review of various construction products and conduct investigations of their quality assurance. Act as Liaison between BCCO, product manufacturers, and the general public, and participating in conferences and seminars. Provides technical support regarding structural issues to consultants and Product Control Examiners. Assists the Quality Assurance Unit in addressing product complaints. Assists the Code Compliance Specialists in code modifications to the Florida Building Code. Assists in screening products submitted to the Florida Building Commission for State Product Approval. Reviews products for compliance with the non-High Velocity Hurricane Zone of the Florida Building Code.

David Olmstead David Olmstead, Public Affairs and Code Compliance Specialist, PGT, is a former member of the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), Building Officials Congress of America (BOCA) and a current member of the International Code Council (ICC), Construction Specifications Institute and Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) also serving on its Code Interpretation Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of the Fenestration Manufacturers Association.

David Reed Founding Partner in E-tempest.com, Inc. David is the creative and design force behind both the E-tempest web based software for the Hurricane Protection as well as the @ppCreate application platform that powers it. A graduate of the University of Florida, David combines degree work in accounting, industrial engineering and computer engineering. This unique educational combination as well as vast experience in several industries and companies (IBM research at the UF Computer Engineering Department including TQM practices, Industrial Engineering with Bristol Myers, IT Director with several companies as well as starting and running his own companies) allows David to bring a visionary ability to developing effective software solutions that help business succeed in the real world.

Robert Reed Partner in E-tempest.com, Inc and operations manager for the company. In addition to holding Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of California, Robert is an experienced entrepreneur, having started and successfully managed numerous small businesses in a variety of industries during the past 30+ years. Robert brings a unique discipline and perspective to business management with a focus on how to change a small business to enable it to survive in any economic condition. His 4+ years of experience in E-tempest have given him a keen understanding of the unique challenges that companies face in the Hurricane Protection Industry when making their more businesses more efficient and successful.

Glen M Sanders Electrical Engineering degree University of Central Florida Over 20 years as the Manager of Engineering for SIMU U.S Inc.

Mike Westhoff, Special Teams Coach for the New York Jets In 1989 the Dolphins players honored Mike Westhoff’s dedication and courage by awarding him the NFL’s Ed Block Courage Award as he battled bone cancer. Despite the treatments he endured, he continued to coach full-time. Mike Westoff begins his ninth season in charge of the NY Jets special teams after 15 years with the Miami Dolphins.

William York Wiliam H. York is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor—CBC 056072; State Certified Residential Construction Mitigation Inspector; State Certified Hurricane Evacuation Shelter Inspector; Certified Wind Damage Mitigation Inspector and Trainer. His company, W. H. York Consulting, Inc., consults on wind mitigation techniques and inspections with insurance companies, FLASH, IBHS, large developers and the University of Florida. He also teaches classes for FLASH and IBHS on Code Plus programs and Florida and South Carolina Safe Home programs and is an instructor for both inspectors and contractors in both states. He has taught Florida Building Code classes throughout the United States for contractors, building officials, engineers and architects and helped develop and teaches the Advanced Wind Loading Course. Special Note: Please come listen to Bill on Saturday, April 26 at the World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference.