OCR’s Distinguished Instructors
Our instructors are some of the most experienced in their trades. Each brings decades of experience working in the field within Ohio and beyond.
Robert J. Schutz, P.E., Mechanical Code and Technology
Robert J. Schutz, P.E. is the retired Chief Building Official of the City of Powell (OH) and is currently a Consulting Engineer serving as the contract Plans Examiner and Inspector for several municipalities in central Ohio. He is a civil engineering graduate of the Ohio Northern University with post-graduate studies at the Ohio State University and the University of Southern California. Bob is a registered Professional Engineer and Professional Surveyor in the State of Ohio; where is also certified as a Building Official, Plans Examiner, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and Electrical Safety Inspector. Bob previously served as the Chief Engineer with the State of Ohio Health Department where he supervised the Plumbing Inspection program, was the Chairman of the Plumbing Advisory Board and was a member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards. Bob instructs nationally and internationally for the International Code Council (ICC), as well as for OCR on Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Building codes.
James A. Richardson Jr., Plumbing Code
Jim Richardson has 30 years of experience in the plumbing/construction industry. During that time, he has experience working for non-union and union contractors, worked as a contractor, as well as experience as a plumbing inspector for a Health Department and currently a Building Department. James holds Ohio Board of Building Standards Plumbing Inspector, Plumbing Plans Examiner Certification, Residential Mechanical Inspector Certification, Commercial Mechanical Inspector Certification, as well as the ASPE CPD certification.
Jim enjoys working in the plumbing industry, helping design professionals, contractors, owners, and other enforcement agencies by providing education and technical expertise to solve technical design issues. Jim believes providing the technical education needs of the industry is essential to ensuring buildings are constructed/designed to be safe and sanitary for the occupants. Jim is an active member of ASPE, ICC, ASSE, and ASTM. He has served on ICC Plumbing Code Action Committees in 2018 and 2021. Jim has been a Trustee for the Ohio Association of Plumbing Inspectors (OAPI) for several terms as well as volunteering for their education committee each year, and is the current President of the organization.
J.D. White, Electrical Code
J.D. White is Industrial Electricity/Electronics Faculty and Program Director at Midlands Technical College, Columbia SC. Helping our students enter into the electrical field and advance their knowledge of the electrical industry.
Until recently, J.D. worked with local apprenticeships as a partner to help determine the rigor of their programs; relative to providing Columbus State College credit, for the related instruction apprentices receive during apprenticeship. Our partnership objective; was to provide each apprentice with a pathway towards degree completion, in a timely fashion.
JD has worked in the skilled trades industry for 47 years, starting as a jet mechanic for the US Navy. Following his discharge, he worked as a maintenance technician and later, as an electrician, his true passion. In 1990, JD earned his first electrical license for the City of Columbus. In 1995, he passed the State of Ohio Electrical exam. JD has supervised work for several electrical contractors, and managed his own electrical company for 12 years. In 1998, he found another passion, teaching electrical technology, and has taught for 21 years. In 2007, JD joined Columbus State Community College full time with oversight of the college’s apprenticeship partnerships and Facilities Maintenance training. During that period, apprenticeships have grown from 4 partnerships with 663 apprentices, to 10 partnerships with 1,500 apprentices earning 13,500 credit hours this past year. JD is a graduate of Columbus State Community College.
Samuel Cronk, Electrical Code
Sam Cronk has extensive knowledge & experience with the interpretation and application of the National Electrical Code. Sam has been involved in all aspects of the residential, commercial, and industrial electrical industry since 1985. His previous employment includes work as an electrical foreman, project manager, and estimator. He has held numerous certifications and licenses including electrical journeyman by the State of South Carolina, journeyman wireman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.), and electrical contractor with the State of Ohio. Sam currently holds certifications as an Electrical Safety Inspector and Electrical Plans Examiner.
Sam has instructed a variety of adult education and professional continuing education classes, including with Columbus Public Schools, NECA-IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (J.A.T.C.), International Association of Electrical Inspectors (I.A.E.I.), and the International Code Council (I.C.C.).
Michael R. Bryer, Electrical Code & Technology
Michael R. Bryer is an alternate electrical instructor.
Mike began his professional career in 1985 at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Mike started as a general laborer and was soon granted a position with the electric shop. While working in the electric shop Mike began his formal education at Dean Technical Institute earning a specialized associates degree in electrical technology.
Michael spent 17 years working in healthcare. During this period he was a member of the Hospital Engineers of Southwestern Pennsylvania (HESP). He acted as the educational chairman and organized numerous classes designed to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure with the City of Pittsburgh.
Michael left healthcare in 2002 with a move to higher education. He became a maintenance supervisor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He oversaw and was responsible for day-to-day maintenance in more than 20 buildings and managed a workforce of electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs and service techs.
Michael earned a BS in Professional Studies majoring in Leadership and Communication during his time at Duquesne. Mike was with Duquesne University until 2014.
Michael next worked with The Pennsylvania State University, most know it simply as Penn State. As the electrical supervisor at Penn State he managed a crew of 20 electricians and electronic technicians to assure service to more than 40,000 student and 24,000 employees of the university.
In 2017 Michael left the university to begin teaching. His teaching venture began at Triangle Tech in Dubois Pennsylvania. Michael realized he had a passion for teaching and fully enjoyed giving back to a field which he had been involved with for more than thirty years. Michael left Triangle Tech and began instructor lead training with TPC. He travels extensively and teaches various groups with subjects ranging from basic electricity to trouble-shooting, National Electric Code and electrical safety.