Manatee building official tops in Fla.

BRADENTON — Local building official C.J Dupre, who has been with Manatee County since 2001, was named Florida Building Official of the Year by the Building Officials Association of Florida.

The association chose Dupre among 477 other building officials, according to a release from Manatee County. “It's an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Manatee County as their building official,” Dupre says in the release. “It's a great honor to be selected as number one among them.”

Manatee Building and Development Services Director John Barnott says Dupre is a key reason for the department's recent improvements in customer service. Dupre, named Building Official of the Year by the association's Gulf Coast chapter two years ago, also works with Sarasota County officials to bring consistency to building departments in both counties, according to the release.

“C.J. is a value to our customers and community,” Barnott says in the release. “He is the epitome of all of the great qualities needed for his position. He provides excellent customer service and provides staff with guidance in the values of being the best. He's a great model for others to follow.”