Kenney Hackworth
Norfolk,VA
Summary
Senior municipal code enforcement leader with substantial experience administering building codes, leading inspection and plan review divisions, and advising executive leadership on regulatory compliance and public safety. ICC Certified Building Official and Certified Floodplain Manager with demonstrated success overseeing staff, resolving high-risk code issues, supporting emergency operations, and advancing safe, resilient community development.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Building Official
City of Newport News
Newport News, VA
02.2025 - Current
- Serve as senior administrator for the enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and Technical Review Board policies
- Oversee commercial plan review, inspections, permitting, and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for complex projects
- Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance oversight for inspection and plan review personnel
- Act as escalation authority for complex code interpretations, compliance disputes, and public complaints
- Advise department leadership on policy interpretation, risk management, and regulatory enforcement decisions
- Coordinate with planning, fire, engineering, legal, and emergency management during incidents and disaster response
Plans Examiner II
City of Newport News
Newport News, VA
02.2023 - 02.2025
- Conduct complex commercial and residential plan reviews for USBC compliance
- Serve as a technical resource for complex code interpretations and referenced standards
- Advise division, departmental, and interdepartmental staff on technically challenging construction issues
- Train and mentor staff pursuing ICC certifications
- Member, Floodplain Management Committee and Public Outreach Committee; contributed to the rewrite of the Comprehensive Flood Plan and Public Outreach Program
Chief Commercial Plans Examiner / Team Leader
City of Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
08.2021 - 02.2023
- Supervised and trained plan review and inspection staff on codes, permitting processes, and customer service standards
- Reviewed complex commercial, residential, and structural construction documents for USBC compliance and served as technical authority for code interpretation, compliance resolution, and stakeholder guidance
- Coordinated plan reviews with planning, fire, engineering, and external agencies
- Conducted field inspections to verify construction, fire protection systems, and approved plan compliance and communicated required corrections and compliance pathways to design professionals, contractors, and the public
Senior Permit Specialist - Commercial Plans Examiner
City of Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
10.2018 - 08.2021
Permit Specialist - Residential Plans Examiner
City of Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
11.2017 - 10.2018
Senior Codes Specialist (Structural)
City of Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
09.2016 - 11.2017
Owner
Home Inspectors of Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads, VA
06.2009 - 01.2025
- Owned and operated a residential and commercial inspection business
- Managed marketing, client relations, accounting, compliance, insurance, and taxes
- Performed inspections, prepared estimates, documented progress, and coordinated lender fund releases
- Member of NACHI, VAREI, CorrectInspect, and VACHI
Regional Inspector (HUD)
Cityside Management Corp.
08.2010 - 03.2016
- Managed inspections for more than 600 HUD-owned properties
- Ensured compliance with federal housing standards and reporting requirements
- Trained subcontractors and improved quality control processes
Production Manager
Cavalier Builders, Inc.
01.2004 - 10.2008
- Directed residential construction projects, quality control, and field staff
- Oversaw construction of more than 300 home additions
- Helped grow the company into a market leader; awarded 'Best Builder' (2007)
District Manager
Business Communications of Virginia
- Led multi-location operations for a major reseller
Sales Development Supervisor / National Media Consultant
Trader Publishing Company
- Managed and trained a 40-member sales team
Commercial Project Manager / Estimator / Office Manager
FCS Contracting
Charter Captain
Pair of Jack's Fishing Charters
Education
Business Management - Real Estate, Urban Land Development
Virginia Commonwealth University
General Core Studies - undefined
Randolph-Macon College
Real Estate Salesperson Certification - undefined
Alpha Omega College of Real Estate
USCG OUPV Captain's License - undefined
Sea School
Certification
- Certified Building Official (CBO), ICC
- Building Codes Specialist, ICC
- Commercial & Residential Plans Examiner, ICC
- Commercial & Residential Building Inspector, ICC
- Commercial & Residential Energy Plans Examiner, ICC
- Disaster Response CLA, ICC
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), ASFPM
- Certified Trainer, Virginia DHCD, Jack Proctor Building Code Academy
Leadership Affiliations
- Virginia Building & Code Officials Association (VBCOA), Region VIII Chair/President, 2022-01-01, Present
- Virginia Building & Code Officials Association (VBCOA), Existing Building Code Committee Chair, 2022-01-01, Present
Timeline
Deputy Building Official
City of Newport News
02.2025 - Current
Plans Examiner II
City of Newport News
02.2023 - 02.2025
Chief Commercial Plans Examiner / Team Leader
City of Norfolk
08.2021 - 02.2023
Senior Permit Specialist - Commercial Plans Examiner
City of Norfolk
10.2018 - 08.2021
Permit Specialist - Residential Plans Examiner
City of Norfolk
11.2017 - 10.2018
Senior Codes Specialist (Structural)
City of Norfolk
09.2016 - 11.2017
Regional Inspector (HUD)
Cityside Management Corp.
08.2010 - 03.2016
Owner
Home Inspectors of Hampton Roads
06.2009 - 01.2025
Production Manager
Cavalier Builders, Inc.
01.2004 - 10.2008
District Manager
Business Communications of Virginia
Sales Development Supervisor / National Media Consultant
Trader Publishing Company
Commercial Project Manager / Estimator / Office Manager
FCS Contracting
Charter Captain
Pair of Jack's Fishing Charters
Business Management - Real Estate, Urban Land Development
Virginia Commonwealth University
General Core Studies - undefined
Randolph-Macon College
Real Estate Salesperson Certification - undefined
Alpha Omega College of Real Estate
USCG OUPV Captain's License - undefined
Sea School