Sara Yerkes, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the International Code Council, is set to retire after spending the last 20 years as a leading voice for the local, state and federal adoption of the Code Council’s building codes and standards.

Yerkes began her career with the Code Council in 2001 and has supported the adoption and enforcement of the most up-to-date building codes since the first publication of the International Codes (I-Codes). Under her leadership, she has implemented and executed various proactive programs that have seen the I-Codes become adopted in all fifty states. Yerkes also co-founded and co-chairs the Coalition for Current Safety Codes, which consists of many safety and building code organizations with the mission of helping state and local jurisdictions modernize their construction codes.

 “I want to thank the great team of leaders at the Code Council for their unwavering commitment to the safety and resiliency of our communities,” said Yerkes. “It has been my honor to serve alongside these leaders for the last 20 years and I look forward to continuing to support the Code Council’s mission as a consultant.”

Yerkes has cultivated relationships with both national and state organizations and has established beneficial alliances to support the Code Council’s mission. Throughout her tenure with the organization, Yerkes has also overseen the successful implementation of programs such as Building Safety Month, the Technical Training Program and the Military Families Career Path Program.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have someone with Sara’s expertise, passion and character help our organization accomplish its goals over the last two decades,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, Chief Executive Officer, International Code Council. “We would like to thank her for her exemplary service and dedication to safety and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.”

Upon retirement, Yerkes will transition to a consultant role and continue to provide her support and expertise to the Code Council. During this transition period, Deputy Senior Vice President Gabe Maser will take on additional duties before fully transitioning into leading the Government Relations Department as Senior Vice President upon her official retirement.

Over the past three years, Maser led the Code Council’s federal engagement and national strategic efforts. He also serves as the elected Chair of the High Performance Buildings Coalition. Before joining the Code Council, he served as a regional director for market expansion and policy at Renovate America; as the director of federal-state relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; a legislative assistant for a member of Congress; and an associate at Baker Botts L.L.P. Maser has a bachelor’s degree in biology from McGill University and a juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. He is a licensed lawyer in the District of Columbia and Massachusetts.

“Gabe has been a valuable addition to our team,” continued Sims. “He has spent the last three years advocating for building safety professionals at all levels of government, and we’re excited to have his experience and talent to support our members and customers in his new role.”