Share this episode of Takis Talk Takis Talk episode 11 dives into the life, leadership, and legacy of Mike Savage, a nationally respected building official, ICC executive board member, master electrician, and former military servicemember whose career has helped shape the modern building safety profession. In this in-depth conversation, Mike shares how a family construction legacy, frontline inspection work, and decades of code development experience have all fueled his mission to protect lives through safer buildings and better-trained professionals. Takis Talk Episode 11: Mike Savage on Building Safety, Leadership, and Legacy “Takis Talk episode 11” centers on Mike’s unique path from a contractor’s kid in Maryland to a nationally influential building official and code leader working with jurisdictions across the country. Today, Mike serves as the building official for the Town of Oakland, Florida through industry leader Willdan, where his team manages permitting, plan review, inspections, and building official services as a fully integrated solution for the jurisdiction. He also sits on the International Code Council (ICC) Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer, giving him a direct hand in the codes and standards that shape building safety worldwide. Mike’s roots in construction run deep. His grandfather, Edward F. Savage, ran a general contracting company and raised 16 children, with the sons dropped off at job sites and the daughters helping run the farm and store. That environment instilled a strong work ethic and practical understanding of how buildings go together, which later powered Mike’s journey into obtaining and maintaining his master electrician’s license in Maryland. His commitment to the trades is also personal: Mike’s father died in a construction accident in 1968, a loss that sharpened his awareness of just how high the stakes are when it comes to codes, inspections, and life safety. From Overwhelmed Inspector to National Leader One of the most compelling parts of Takis Talk episode 11 is Mike’s candid reflection on his early years as an inspector. He admits he was miserable during his first six months, transitioning from hands-on construction to racing through 30–45 inspections a day, constantly afraid of missing something that could affect budgets, schedules, or lives. With minimal mentoring and a retiring predecessor in “short-timer” mode, he turned to self-study—digging into code books at night and even ordering VHS training tapes—to build the knowledge and confidence he needed. That hunger for education led him to the Maryland Building Officials Association in the mid‑1990s, where networking and shared learning reinforced his commitment to staying in the profession long-term. Over the years, he carried that same drive into roles in Maryland, New Mexico, and Florida, working in jurisdictions that required everything from partial licensing to full licensing across all four trades, including building code administrator credentials. In Florida today, Mike holds an impressive 11 separate licenses—more than he has ever held in any other state—demonstrating the depth and breadth of his technical and administrative qualifications. ICC, NFPA, UL, and IAEI: Shaping the Codes That Shape Our World Takis Talk episode 11 also highlights Mike’s extensive service in the national and international codes and standards arena. Through his governmental membership with ICC, he serves on the ICC Board of Directors and currently holds the officer role of Secretary/Treasurer, helping guide strategy, policy, and member-focused initiatives for the code community. His commitment extends well beyond ICC: he has served on NFPA code-making panels for the National Electrical Code (including as chair of Code-Making Panel 15), as a Connect at TakisTalk.com
