SEAOC Webinar Series: 2025 California Building Code & Agency Updates

Wednesdays • 12:00–1:00 PM PT • January 7 – January 28, 2026

About the Series
The 2025 California Building Code goes into effect January 1, 2026 and SEAOC is continuing its effort to help engineers prepare.
 
Following the popular fall series on general code updates, Part 2 of SEAOC’s 2025 CBC Webinar Series dives deeper into material-specific design requirements.

Schedule

Masonry Code Update of TMS 402/602 from the 2016 to 2022 Edition, Materials, and Specifications

Date: Wed, Jan 7, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM PT

The 2025 triennial California Building Code cycle becomes effective on January 1, 2026, at which time it will adopt the new 2022 edition to TMS 402 “Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures” and TMS 602 “Specification for Masonry Structures”. The one-hour TMS 402/602 training will cover the changes and updates to the 2016 edition of the standard.

John M. Hochwalt
Director of Engineering, KPFF Consulting Engineers
John M. Hochwalt is Director of Engineering for the Seattle Structural group of KPFF Consulting Engineers. He has practiced structural engineering for over thirty-five years and is a frequent author and editor of publications about the engineering of masonry structures. John is also active in building code development. For the masonry building code, TMS 402, he serves as chair of the subcommittee for Seismic and Limit Design.

Kurt Siggard
Executive Director, Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada
Kurt Siggard has been Executive Director of the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada (CMACN) since 2006. Prior to joining CMACN, Kurt worked in senior management positions for over twenty years in the fields of geotechnical engineering, materials testing, construction inspection, and construction management. During that time, he spent ten years as an Associate Professor teaching courses in construction materials and inspection. Kurt is a Fellow member of The Masonry Society and is a voting member of TMS402/602. 

Overview of the 2022 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings

Date: Wed, Jan 14, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM PT

This session will highlight the major changes expected in the 2022 Seismic Provisions (AISC 341-22). Major revisions include the introduction of the new SpeedCore system, officially called coupled composite plate shear walls concrete filled, as well as new provisions for ordinary truss moment frames, updated requirements for continuity plate sizing and welding, and a new Appendix 1 titled Design Verification Using Nonlinear Response History Analysis.

Michael Gannon, S.E., P.E
Senior Engineer, American Institute of Steel Construction
Michael Gannon, S.E., P.E., is a Senior Engineer at the American Institute of Steel Construction.
As secretary of the AISC Task Committee 7 on Evaluation and Repair, AISC Task Committee 9
on Seismic Systems, and the AISC Manual Subcommittee M3 on the Seismic Manual, Mr.
Gannon works with industry experts to plan and develop various AISC standards and
publications. These include the AISC Specification, the AISC Seismic Provisions, and the
AISC Seismic Design Manual.
Prior to joining AISC, Mr. Gannon worked for over eight years as a consulting structural
engineer with a primary focus in steel connection design and construction engineering.
Michael’s education includes a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and
a M.S. in Engineering, Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Mass Timber: Discover What’s New in Seismic Design for Mass Timber in the 2025 CBC

Date: Wed, Jan 21, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM PT

The 2025 California Building Code (2024 IBC) now adopts ASCE/SEI 7-22, officially recognizing Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) as a structural system — a major milestone for mass timber design.  Join us where you will:

• Refresh your knowledge of seismic design requirements for mass timber in the 2021 SDPWS.
• Explore the latest code changes (2025 CBC, ASCE/SEI 7-22 & 2024 NDS) and what they mean for your mass timber projects.
• Get a sneak peek at future developments shaping the next generation of building codes.

This webinar will equip you with the insights you need to stay ahead in the evolving world of mass timber design.

Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., S.E., F.SEAOC
Mass-Timber Specialist, Simpson Strong-Tie
Michelle Kam-Biron is a licensed structural engineer in California with a diverse background in consulting, building codes and standards, education, and mass timber manufacturing and sales. She currently works as a Senior Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie, specializing in codes, compliance, and mass timber support. Her experience includes roles at mass timber manufacturing companies- Structurlam, Boise Cascade, Kaleskinoff, as well as representing the wood industry with WoodWorks and the American Wood Council. Michelle volunteers on various committees and is a past President of SEAOSC. She has received the Susan M. Frey NCSEA Educator Award and is a SEAOC College of Fellows inductee.

Significant Changes to the 2024 National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction

Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM PT

An overview of significant changes to the 2024 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction will be provided. Specific topics include shear and notching of bending members, connections with 4 or more members, fire design and design values for multi-species and multi-country lumber.

John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E
Principal Staff Engineer, International Code Council
John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., is principal staff engineer with the ICC product development group. He develops technical resources and provides education in support of the structural provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code. He has over 38 years of experience in the development and support of building codes and standards having spent 26 years with the American Wood Council. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Showalter has also been a member of the editorial board for STRUCTURE magazine for 20 years.