Instructors

William Bracken, PE, CFM, is Technical Training Manager for the International Code Council’s Training group. Mr. Bracken’s career has spanned more than 35 years and has centered on the practice of civil/structural engineering while specializing in its application in the fields of Design, Construction, Building Codes, and Standards of Care. His practice has encompassed design, analysis, research, instruction, and forensics. Currently he works as the Technical Trainer Manager for the International Code Council. Mr. Bracken has published and routinely presents on topics of building codes, forensic engineering, wind and flood design, structural rehabilitation, and innovative use of current technology. He is a Certified Floodplain Manager as well as a Special Inspector and is licensed in 50 US jurisdictions. Additionally, he served as an Urban Search & Rescue Structural Specialist for two decades and as the vice-chair and chair of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers for two terms. He is a recognized Fellow within the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and is a Board-Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the National Academe of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). (email: wbracken@iccsafe.org)

Scott D. Coffman, PE, has over 40 years in structural wood design, engineered wood building components and forensic engineering experience. This experience includes product testing, field investigations, FRT lumber, construction related issues, building envelopes, structural evaluation, expert testimony, and product application and serviceability. He has been a member of the ANSI/TPI 1 Standard Project Committees and has authored and co-authored several publications. He has worked for TrusJoist MacMillan, Builders FirstSource, Motley Structural Design, and REI Engineers, Inc. He is a Purdue University graduate currently licensed as a professional engineer in ten states. (email: scottcoffman7@gmail.com)

John “Buddy” Showalter, PE, M.ASCE, M.NCSEA, is principal staff engineer with the International Code Council's (ICC) product development group. He develops technical resources and provides education in support of the structural provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code. Showalter is the project lead in the development of Mass Timber Buildings and the IBC and associated education programs. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Showalter has also been a member of the editorial board for STRUCTURE Magazine for 20 years. Before joining ICC, Showalter spent 26 years with AWC. He has over 38 years of experience in the development and support of building codes and standards, authoring or co-authoring more than 80 publications and technical articles for industry-related trade journals. (e-mail: bshowalter@iccsafe.org)

Marvin Strzyzewski, PE, has over 40 years of experience in the wood truss industry, currently with Truss Engineering Company (MiTek, Inc. Affiliate). Marvin is currently a Senior Building and Product Regulations Team Staff Engineer. He has experience designing, reviewing, and approving truss designs and repairs. He has been involved with product development and testing, including full-scale trusses, individual plate testing, and quality control, all based on the Truss Plate Institute’s (TPI) standards. He also sat on three project committees to update TPI-1. Marvin is currently the Project Committee Chair for ANSI/TPI-3 Truss Bracing. Currently, he is a member of the ICC’s IBC-Structural committee for developing the 2027 IBC. Marvin works with building codes and standards writing groups to review and prepare public comments and testifies at code hearings for new building codes and standard requirements. He has developed and presented numerous Continuing Education Programs that MiTek offers to RDPs, Architects, Building Code Officials, and Builders. (e-mail: marvins@mii.com)

Frank Woeste, PhD, PE, is Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech (VT). Frank conducted wood engineering research and taught wood design courses throughout his 26-year tenure at VT. Frank, along with his colleagues at VT and wood industry professionals, have developed and presented continuing education programs for more than 30 years. He currently serves on the AWC Wood Standards Design Committee responsible for revisions to the national design standards such as NDS and WFCM. On a routine basis, Frank consults with the public, design professionals, contractors, building code officials on various aspects of engineered wood construction and residential construction, including decks and balconies. (e-mail: fwoeste@vt.edu)