Building Excellence: Al Smythe

09/23/2024

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Al Smythe

Florida building departments are responsible for reviewing plans and inspecting commercial construction for compliance with the Florida Building Code and other applicable construction requirements. At FSU, the Building Code group in Environmental Health & Safety works closely with project planners from the start of construction through project completion. Al Smythe entered the role of Building Official for FSU on August 30th, 2024, and is responsible for the permitting, plan review, inspections, and Certificates of Occupancy or Completion issuance for not only FSU but also Florida State University Schools and New College in Sarasota.

Before working at FSU, Smythe worked across Florida, assisting numerous building departments with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) storm assessments and permits for repairing or rebuilding damaged structures. He possesses multiple state licenses, including Commercial Contractor, Coastal Construction Inspector, Plans Examiner, and Building Official.

Smythe, who is from Great Falls Montana, joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1989. While fulfilling his role as a Rescue Swimmer, he received the Coast Guard Medal for Heroism. He also attended Three Rivers Community College and the University of New Haven.

In his current role, Smythe’s days consist of ensuring that construction projects for the campus community are being safely constructed and inspected. Having worked with numerous building departments around the state, Smythe shares that the quality of work and attention to detail from the other groups involved in the construction process are second to none. He notes that the planning and design work put in prior to it reaching his office is outstanding.

“We are excited that Al has joined our team. He is already making an impact on the Building Code Office by looking at ways to become more efficient as FSU ramps up construction activities,” said Megan Sandy, Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. “The new permitting software that he is implementing will allow inspectors, contractors, and project managers to update information, and allow them to see the status of the permitting process.”

Outside of the office, Smythe enjoys spending days off during this part of the season boating and spearfishing. Smythe, having missed last year's grouper season due to his response to Hurricane Idalia around Crystal River, was not going to miss this season, and he didn’t.