Sergio Ascunce
Sergio T. Ascunce is the Deputy Building Official for the Miami-Dade County Building Department. Sergio previously was the Building Inspections Department (BID) Manager managing alternative plan reviews and inspections services for Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. (UES), a Florida engineering firm. Known as Private Provider Inspections (PPI), the BID operates like a municipal building department providing independent plan reviews and inspections for clients wishing to expedite their projects. Working alongside the local building official, UES certified plan examiners and inspectors apply and assure compliance with the very same state building codes.
Sergio held the Building, Zoning and Planning Director position for the Village of Key Biscayne in South Florida before joining UES, overseeing the Divisions of Permitting and Inspections, Code Enforcement, Planning & Zoning, and Business Licensing. Sergio managed this community’s development department and promoted efficiency and effectiveness among the collaborating divisions. Prior to Key Biscayne, Sergio was the Director and Building Official for a newly incorporated City of Doral in South Florida where he established its first Building Department from the ground up. This department was one of the first to implement electronic plan reviews in South Florida.
Having 27 years of experience as a code official, Sergio has knowledge of the various codes as a Certified Building Official, Building Plans Examiner and Building Inspector.
Sergio holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering from the University of Miami. He is an engineer by education and a general contractor by trade. After 38 years in the construction industry, Sergio has a well-rounded knowledge of design and construction.
Sergio remains engaged in the code development process by participating at the state and national code development levels. As a past President of the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF), a state chapter of the International Code Council (ICC), and a past president of the South Florida Building Officials Association (SFBOA), a regional chapter of ICC and BOAF, he remains involved by participating in various committees.
Appointed Chair of the Internship sub-committee of BOAF, Sergio led the committee to develop an internship program and created the legislation necessary in the state of Florida. Focused on increasing the available pool of candidates to become code officials, the program is being considered a best practice model for nationwide acceptance. ICC staff is currently promoting the internship program in Florida as a way for high school and vocational students to enter the workforce.
Sergio holds licensure in the state of Florida as a Certified General Contractor, Engineer in Training, Certified Building Official, Building Plans Examiner and a Building Inspector. He holds ICC certifications as a Certified Building Official and Building Plans Examiner, valid nationwide. Additionally, he is a Certified Floodplain Manager and is LEED® AP BD+C credentialed.
