Our Team
Our inspectors have served with municipal and state agencies, enforcing local and state codes, laws, and ordinances. One is also a Licensed General Contractor. We are well-versed in South Carolina codes and standards, particularly those from the ICC and NFPA, and stay current through continuing education.
Our Inspectors
Brian Blackwell, Founder, CEO, CBO, MCP
In 2005, Brian L. Blackwell founded RCI of SC Inc., the first code consulting firm in South Carolina, where he continues to serve as CEO. The firm provides code consulting, plan review, and inspection services for jurisdictions across multiple states and supports federal agencies, military installations, and design teams.
Brian was recent
In 2005, Brian L. Blackwell founded RCI of SC Inc., the first code consulting firm in South Carolina, where he continues to serve as CEO. The firm provides code consulting, plan review, and inspection services for jurisdictions across multiple states and supports federal agencies, military installations, and design teams.
Brian was recently honored as the 2024 Building Official of the Year for the state of South Carolina. Brian began his career in construction with hands‑on carpentry training at a vocational school. His early work included residential and light commercial construction, during which he founded Blackwell Brothers Construction and earned both a Residential Home Builders License and a General Contractor’s License.
In 1992, Brian entered the public sector as a Building Inspector and later advanced to Building Official, serving in local government for 14 years. During this time, he held leadership roles including president of the SC Upper State Code Enforcement Association and the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors.
In 2000, Brian was selected by the International Code Council to serve on a national team tasked with merging the testing standards of BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI. He served as Chairman of this group until 2005 while earning numerous certifications across major code disciplines, ultimately achieving the designations of Certified Building Official and Master Code Professional.
Ashley Rochester, CBO
Ashley holds 6 certifications in the disciplines of building, plumbing, property maintenance as well as certified building official. Ashley is licensed with SCLLR as a building official.
Ashley worked at the City of Clinton from 2015-2024. She worked in several different capacities including as the Planning Director and Building Offici
Ashley holds 6 certifications in the disciplines of building, plumbing, property maintenance as well as certified building official. Ashley is licensed with SCLLR as a building official.
Ashley worked at the City of Clinton from 2015-2024. She worked in several different capacities including as the Planning Director and Building Official. Prior to accepting the position with RCI, Ashley worked as the Director of Building Codes for the County of Laurens.
Ashley is a member of associations including the Upper State Code Enforcement and Building Officials Association. She holds an associate’s degree in administrative office and currently pursuing a bachelor’s in business administration.
Brent Bullard, CBO, Project Manager
Brent Bullard, CBO, Project Manager
Brent brings a lifetime of experience in construction, fire safety, and building inspection. His career began with hands‑on work in his father’s construction company, which specialized in high‑end residential and commercial projects. This early foundation set the stage for his long‑term commitment to the industry.
In 1996, Brent joined the
Brent brings a lifetime of experience in construction, fire safety, and building inspection. His career began with hands‑on work in his father’s construction company, which specialized in high‑end residential and commercial projects. This early foundation set the stage for his long‑term commitment to the industry.
In 1996, Brent joined the Darlington County Fire District, becoming a certified Interior Structural Firefighter and later serving as a training captain. His background includes work as a welder and fabricator, as well as a superintendent for an acoustical ceiling company. After co‑owning a construction business with his father, Brent discovered his passion for building inspection in 2004—a role that blended his construction expertise with his dedication to public safety.
Brent advanced from Building Inspector to Chief Building Inspector and ultimately Building Official, earning 21 ICC certifications and numerous Fire Academy credentials throughout his career. In 2023, he joined a third‑party inspection firm full‑time while remaining actively involved in the fire district to continue sharing his skills and experience with others..
Ruthie Helms, CBO, Project Manager
Brent Bullard, CBO, Project Manager
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Ruthie Helms has served in the building department profession for more than 36 years. She attended North Greenville College and holds credentials including Certified Building Official, Chief Housing Code Official, South Carolina Fire Marshal, Licensed South Carolina Contractor, Disaster Response Ins
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Ruthie Helms has served in the building department profession for more than 36 years. She attended North Greenville College and holds credentials including Certified Building Official, Chief Housing Code Official, South Carolina Fire Marshal, Licensed South Carolina Contractor, Disaster Response Inspector, and Certified ADA Coordinator through the University of Missouri School of Architecture.
Ruthie also holds multiple ICC certifications and is a South Carolina Master Gardener.
Ruthie began her career with the City of Rock Hill, York, and Spartanburg, working in roles such as Code Enforcement Officer, Commercial and Residential Building Inspector, Plans Examiner, and Chief of Inspections.
For 15 years, she served as the Building Official and Director of the Building and Development Standards Department for the City of Greer. Under her leadership, the department has streamlined services while managing the demands of one of the fastest‑growing cities in the state.
Ruthie is a past president, vice president, and long‑serving board member of the Upper State Code Enforcement Association. She was named the 2015 Member of the Year and received the Red F. Allen Educational Award. She currently serves as Vice President of the Building Officials Association of South Carolina and was honored with the 2022 John W. Wasson Member of the Year Award.
David Breakfield, MCP, CBO
David holds a Master Code Professional (MCP) certification and is licensed with SCLLR as a Building Official. His credentials reflect broad expertise in building codes, planning, and zoning administration.
David spent 30 years with the City of York, serving in multiple roles including Planning Director and Building Official. During his ten
David holds a Master Code Professional (MCP) certification and is licensed with SCLLR as a Building Official. His credentials reflect broad expertise in building codes, planning, and zoning administration.
David spent 30 years with the City of York, serving in multiple roles including Planning Director and Building Official. During his tenure, he earned MCP and CBO certifications, achieved AICP planner status, and became certified as a zoning inspector, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development and public service.
David is a member of BOASC and holds a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University. He is also certified as an Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT), further strengthening his technical and regulatory background.
Chris Lewis, CBO
Chris serves as the Chief Plan Reviewer at RCI, specializing in large and complex commercial projects across multiple jurisdictions. He holds certifications including Certified Building Official, Commercial Plan Review for Building, Mechanical, and Plumbing, as well as Commercial Building and Plumbing Inspector credentials. He is currentl
Chris serves as the Chief Plan Reviewer at RCI, specializing in large and complex commercial projects across multiple jurisdictions. He holds certifications including Certified Building Official, Commercial Plan Review for Building, Mechanical, and Plumbing, as well as Commercial Building and Plumbing Inspector credentials. He is currently preparing for the Certified Floodplain Manager exam.
Chris is an active member of the Upper State Code Enforcement Association, where he previously served as President and Vice President. He is also a member of the Building Officials Association of South Carolina and contributes to both the Building Code Change Review Committee and the Emergency Response Committee.
Before joining RCI, Chris served as the Building Official for the Town of Hilton Head Island from 2024 to 2025, overseeing permitting, plan review, inspections, and the island’s Damage Assessment team.
Chris began his code enforcement career with the City of Spartanburg, serving from 2008 to 2024 as Plan Reviewer and Senior Building Inspector. He led plan review operations, supervised inspection teams, and served as lead inspector on major civic, commercial, and institutional projects.
Prior to his public service career, he spent nearly 15 years in architectural design and project management with several firms while studying Architectural Engineering at Greenville Technical College.
Robert Keith Morton, Inspector, CBO, MCP
Robert Keith Morton, Inspector, CBO, MCP
Keith holds numerous ICC certifications, including Master Code Professional, multiple electrical inspection and plan review credentials, Building Codes Official, Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, Fire Inspector I, and Building Plans Examiner. His certifications reflect a long and accomplished career in construction, inspection,
Keith holds numerous ICC certifications, including Master Code Professional, multiple electrical inspection and plan review credentials, Building Codes Official, Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, Fire Inspector I, and Building Plans Examiner. His certifications reflect a long and accomplished career in construction, inspection, and code administration.
Keith began his career in 1964 in single‑family and commercial construction, advancing from helper to foreman before entering code enforcement in 1979 with York County, SC, where he later became Chief Inspector. He went on to serve as Building Official for the City of Rock Hill from 1986 to 1999, continued part‑time until 2002, and later worked as Inspection Superintendent for the City of Gastonia until 2012. He finished his career as Manager of the Utilities Maintenance Division for Two Rivers Utilities, retiring in 2015 and later joining RCI.
Keith earned an Associate Degree in Commercial Science from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science from Lander College. He has served on and led boards within the Upper State Code Enforcement Association of South Carolina and the Building Officials Association of South Carolina, and has contributed to SBCCI and ICC committees throughout his career.
Ernest Lynn Adams, CBO, MCP
Robert Keith Morton, Inspector, CBO, MCP
Lynn holds 16 ICC Certifications in the disciplines of Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing, including credentials as a Certified Building Official and a Master Code Professional in the State of South Carolina. He is also approved by the Office of School Facilities as a Chapter 1 Inspector for the State of South Carolina. With m
Lynn holds 16 ICC Certifications in the disciplines of Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing, including credentials as a Certified Building Official and a Master Code Professional in the State of South Carolina. He is also approved by the Office of School Facilities as a Chapter 1 Inspector for the State of South Carolina. With more than 30 years of experience, Lynn has served in numerous leadership and technical roles, including Chief Commercial and Residential Inspector, Plan Reviewer, Deputy Building Inspector, and Building Official for Lancaster County.
Before his tenure in Lancaster, he worked as Construction Manager for E. L. Adams Construction and later served as Development Coordinator and Building Inspector for the City of Rock Hill, as well as Commercial Industrial Inspector for York County. His extensive ICC certifications include Building Plans Examiner, Certified Building Code Official, Certified Building Official, Certified Electrical Code Official, Certified Mechanical Code Official, Certified Plumbing Code Official, Commercial Combination Inspector, Commercial Electrical Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Electrical Plans Examiner, Mechanical Inspector, Master Code Professional, Mechanical Plans Examiner, Plumbing Inspector, Plumbing Plans Examiner, and Residential Electrical Inspector.
David Christopher Welch, Inspector
Chris holds residential and commercial certifications in plumbing, mechanical, building, and electrical inspections. His career began in the plumbing trade at the age of 16, where he gained 18 years of hands‑on experience before transitioning into code enforcement.
He joined the City of Sumter in 2021 as a meter maintenance technician and
Chris holds residential and commercial certifications in plumbing, mechanical, building, and electrical inspections. His career began in the plumbing trade at the age of 16, where he gained 18 years of hands‑on experience before transitioning into code enforcement.
He joined the City of Sumter in 2021 as a meter maintenance technician and advanced to the role of Building Inspector in 2022. In 2023, Chris began working with RCI, where he currently serves as the lead inspector for the Scout plant in Blythewood. He is actively pursuing the Certified Building Official designation to continue advancing his career.
Tommy Holcombe, Inspector
Tommy Holcombe joined RCI after retiring from the City of Easley after 42 years of service. Twenty‑six of those years were spent in building codes, with approximately 24 of them serving as the Building Official before his retirement in January 2024. He has been with RCI for nearly two years, continuing to apply his extensive experience in
Tommy Holcombe joined RCI after retiring from the City of Easley after 42 years of service. Twenty‑six of those years were spent in building codes, with approximately 24 of them serving as the Building Official before his retirement in January 2024. He has been with RCI for nearly two years, continuing to apply his extensive experience in the field.
Throughout his career, Tommy has served on the boards of USCEA and SCBOA, and he was a founding member of the Tri‑County Building Codes Association, which later merged with the Upper State organization. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Residential Building Inspector, Commercial Building Inspector, Certified Housing Code Inspector, Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, Zoning Inspector, and Code Enforcement Technician.
Wade Dodgens, Inspector
Wade Dodgens, Inspector
Wade is a seasoned professional with more than 34 years of experience in the construction and code enforcement fields. He holds an associate degree in Mechanical HVAC from Greenville Technical College and maintains ten ICC certifications, including Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, Commercial and Residential Electrical Inspector
Wade is a seasoned professional with more than 34 years of experience in the construction and code enforcement fields. He holds an associate degree in Mechanical HVAC from Greenville Technical College and maintains ten ICC certifications, including Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, Commercial and Residential Electrical Inspector, Electrical Plans Examiner, Certified Electrical Code Official, Plumbing Inspector, Commercial Plumbing Inspector, and Commercial Energy Inspector and Plans Examiner.
From 1989 to 2023, Wade served the County of Greenville in multiple leadership roles, including Chief Electrical Inspector, Electrical Plans Examiner, and Building Inspector. His long tenure reflects a strong commitment to public safety, technical accuracy, and effective code administration. He joined RCI following his distinguished service with the county.
Wade’s extensive certifications and technical background, combined with decades of field and administrative experience, position him as a highly knowledgeable and reliable professional within the building and code enforcement community.
Craig Welch, Inspector
Wade Dodgens, Inspector
Craig brings extensive hands‑on and technical expertise to the building inspection profession, supported by 15 ICC certifications spanning Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines. His career began in his family’s construction business, where he gained foundational experience across multiple trades. He later broadened hi
Craig brings extensive hands‑on and technical expertise to the building inspection profession, supported by 15 ICC certifications spanning Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines. His career began in his family’s construction business, where he gained foundational experience across multiple trades. He later broadened his skill set through various construction roles before spending 13 years with Caterpillar Hydraulics.
In 2021, Craig transitioned into code enforcement, joining the City of Sumter Building Department as a Building Inspector. Over three years, he conducted inspections across residential and commercial projects, strengthening his knowledge of code application and compliance. Craig joined RCI in July 2024 and is licensed with SCLLR as a Building Inspector. His ICC credentials include Commercial and Residential Combination Inspector, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Building certifications.
Danny Sturgis, Inspector
Danny Sturgis, Inspector
Danny Sturgis, Inspector
Danny has been with RCI of SC Inc. for two years, bringing with him more than three decades of industry experience. Before joining RCI, he spent 25 years working in inspections and an additional seven years in the construction field. His professional background spans multiple disciplines, and he is registered in four commercial practice a
Danny has been with RCI of SC Inc. for two years, bringing with him more than three decades of industry experience. Before joining RCI, he spent 25 years working in inspections and an additional seven years in the construction field. His professional background spans multiple disciplines, and he is registered in four commercial practice areas: Commercial Building, Commercial Electrical, Commercial Mechanical, and Commercial Plumbing.
Damon Knight, Inspector
Danny Sturgis, Inspector
Danny Sturgis, Inspector
Damon Knight serves as a Commercial Inspector with RCI of South Carolina, bringing extensive experience in code enforcement, commercial construction, and electrical systems. He holds eight International Code Council certifications across the Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing disciplines and is registered with the South Caroli
Damon Knight serves as a Commercial Inspector with RCI of South Carolina, bringing extensive experience in code enforcement, commercial construction, and electrical systems. He holds eight International Code Council certifications across the Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing disciplines and is registered with the South Carolina Building Code Council.
Damon began his career in Florence, South Carolina, working in commercial wiring before transitioning into code enforcement. He joined Sumter County in 2016 as a Building Inspector, where he conducted inspections across multiple trades and contributed to the county’s development review processes. In 2021, he expanded his field experience by serving as a construction liaison with Synergy Group, supporting project coordination and compliance efforts.
In April 2024, Damon joined RCI as a Commercial Inspector, where he applies his multi‑disciplinary expertise to complex commercial projects across the region.
Certifications — International Code Council
- Residential Building Inspector
- Commercial Building Inspector
- Commercial Plumbing Inspector
- Residential Plumbing Inspector
- Residential Electrical Inspector
- Commercial Electrical Inspector
- Commercial Mechanical Inspector
- Residential Mechanical Inspector