Summit Construction Official Gary Lewis Set To Retire

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit is saying goodbye to longtime Construction Official Gary Lewis as he prepares for retirement.

Lewis is set to retire on Jan. 28 after nearly 30 years in the Department of Community Services. During his time in the department, Lewis oversaw more than $3 billion in construction projects.

“Congratulations to Gary Lewis on a long and distinguished career,” said Summit Mayor Nora Radest. “He has led the building department with great honor and dedication, managing a tremendous and growing volume of calls, permit applications and inspections. His profound expertise and wealth of experience has ensured the safety, health and welfare of all persons and property in Summit. I wish Gary all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Aside from his work in the Community Service Department, Lewis served as President of the NJ Fire Prevention & Protection Association, and is the Chairperson of the International Building Code General Development Committee and the Montville Planning Board. He served as chairman of the national Ad Hoc Committee on terrorism resistant building following the September 11 attacks.

In 2017, Lewis was honored with the International Code Council Fire Service Award. In 2019, he was conferred an honorary lifetime membership in the ICC. Lewis is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Technical Standards Committee and has been inducted into the National Fire Sprinkler Association Area Two Hall of Fame. He was named NJ Inspector of the Year in 1992.

“Summit has undergone significant changes since 1992, and the level of private and corporate reinvestment in homes and commercial buildings is nothing short of amazing to me,” explains Lewis. “Throughout my time in Summit, I experienced tremendous, unwavering support for safe buildings and code enforcement from both city management and elected officials. It is unusual to find, and I greatly appreciate being able to effectively ensure the highest safety standards possible for the Summit community.”

Lewis is a 1981 graduate of Rutgers University. He lives in Montville with his wife Lisa.