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Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
November 2, 2007
4:30 p.m.
Mayor names interim Building Commissioner
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Mayor Stephen J. Luecke today named Charles C. Bulot as Interim Building
Commissioner for the joint City-County Building Department, effective Nov. 10.
Bulot,the assistant zoning administrator for the Building Department since October
2004, will fill the position being vacated by Donald F. Fozo, who last month was named
the new executive director of the Michiana Area Construction Industry Advancement
Fund.
The Mayor said he intends to begin a formal search process for a permanent appointment
later this month.
"I am fortunate to have quality internal candidates to consider both for the short-term and
for the permanent position. After much deliberation, I have asked Chuck Bulot to be
Interim Building Commissioner, effective November 10th," Luecke wrote in a memo to
Building Department staff. "I am deeply grateful for your outstanding teamwork in the
Building Department. The City and County are fortunate to have had Don's excellent
leadership and to have had your expertise and dedication. I appreciate the can-do attitude
and the customer service that you exhibit. I know that we will continue the high level of
service as I conduct a search for Don's replacement."
In his current capacity, Bulot has acted as Building Commissioner in Fozo's absence. He
oversees a six-member office staff, and has served as a Building Department
spokesperson before the Board of Zoning Appeals. He has been a building inspector since
July 2000. Before joining the department, Bulot ran his own residential construction
company with a five-member crew.
A graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, Bulot is a certified commercial and
residential building inspector and a certified mechanical inspector. He has been a member
of the Home Builders Association of St. Joseph Valley and of the Indiana Association of
Building Officials. He has been a house captain and field supervisor for Rebuilding
Together (formerly Christmas in April) and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity
and Summer in the City.
He also worked as a freelance writer and story editor for Lorimar Telepictures in Culver
City, Calif., winning two Outstanding Storyline awards from Soap Opera Digest for
episodes of"Knotts Landing."
The Building Department will close for official business at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, for an
open house to honor Fozo's more than three decades of service. During Fozo's tenure, the
South Bend and St. Joseph County building departments were consolidated to improve
efficiency and save tax dollars.
"Don Fozo has been the only commissioner the consolidated City-County Building
Department has ever known. Under his leadership, the Building Department has become
a self-supporting operation with smooth efficiency and a great commitment to customer
service," Luecke said. "Don has been an important part of a team at the city that works
hard to find win-win solutions for government and developers. We certainly appreciate
his great career in public service as well as his good humor and kind, personal approach."
Fozo will begin his new assignment Nov. 12.
"I am looking forward to the new challenge and feel that my past 31'/z years in the
building industry and government will be an asset," Fozo said. "I especially want to thank
Mayor Steve Luecke and the Board of Commissioners for their support in helping
streamline government services while upholding the highest standards of safety."
MACIAF, established in 1970, is a nonprofit created for the promotion and advancement
of the construction industry in the Michiana area. In his new position, Fozo also will be
responsible for the following associations: Michiana Builders, St. Joseph Valley Masonry
Contractors, Michiana Area Roofing Contractors, and the Sheet Metal and Air
Conditioning Contractors.
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