President: Ben Abbey
Ben has several years of experience in the construction industry, working in private and public service. Ben is currently the Chief Building Official for the City of Bozeman and is an active board member on the Montana Building Codes Council. He also holds many ICC certifications and is working towards becoming a Master Code Professional. Ben feels that a public servant’s role is building collaborative professional partnerships to encourage, educate, and explore best practices for fire, life, and safety.
He dabbles as a part-time Montana fly-fishing guide and enjoys camping and fishing with his family throughout Montana.
Favorite quote:
“Our job is to solve complicated problems, not complicate solved problems” – B. Fowler.
Vice-President: Lucas Sobeck
Lucas has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, 17 years of those years being a combination of Residential and Commercial Construction as well as the Fire/Ems Service. Lucas is currently the Chief Building Official for the City of Belgrade. Lucas is a Certified Building Official, Certified Fire Marshal and currently working on becoming a Master Code Professional. Lucas enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters if it’s just casually riding horses, running the girls to a rodeo, watching a rodeo or just relaxing with the family.
Favorite quote:
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” —Woodrow Wilson
Treasurer: Michael Nasheim
Mike has over 25 years of experience in the building industry. He is currently employed by the State of Montana as the Section Manager for South Central Montana overseeing six combination building inspectors across 15 counties. Mike is a Master Code Professional and Certified Building Official. He enjoys following and attending everything his teenagers are involved with.
Secretary: Rhea Papke
Rhea is a Building Inspector III for the City of Bozeman. Rhea was Permit Technician and Permit Project Coordinator for five years before becoming a Building Inspector. As a Permit Tech and Project Coordinator gained a strong base of the Building code and relationship with the Designers, Developers, Contractors and Citizens. Transitioning into a Building Inspector was was an opportunity to grow even more in the Building Code. Rhea’s previous life worked at Montana State University and many years in Social Services with the State and Non Profits. Currently a Board Member at Large for the Region II WICED (Women in Code Enforcement and Development). Rhea has lived in Bozeman for 35 years. Currently lives outside of Bozeman with her family including her daughters who ski on the National level in Mogul Freestyle.
Director at Large: Tad Lisowski
Tad has over 23 years experience at the City of Whitefish Building Department. Tad has been the Chief Building Official for the last nine years and senior field inspector 14 years before that. He holds numerous ICC certifications. His 33 years experience at all levels of government has helped him create a Building Department that serves the community. Tad and his wife enjoy camping, fishing, and chasing their 3 teenage boys around the state watching various sports.
Director at Large: Chuck Nunley
Chuck is a Plans Examiner for the City of Helena Building Division and has 23 years of experience in the both the private and public side of the construction industry. He was born and raised in Montana and enjoys what Montana has to offer.
Director at Large: Kevin Smith
Kevin is a Building Systems Commissioning Authority at Elkhorn Commissioning Group, Inc. He is a Professional Engineer in the State of Montana, as well as a Certified Commissioning Professional through the Building Commissioning Association and a certified Building Commissioning Professional through ASHRAE. Kevin loves all things Montana State Bobcats and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Past President: Karen Courtney
Karen is a Multidiscipline Inspector for the State of Montana covering Park and Sweet Grass Counties. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband and their 2 German Shepherds.