Our Founders

Barrier Consulting Group LLC is a relatively new, responsive, client focused, company. Formed specifically to achieve savings on insurance premiums, and greater life safety for Florida residents.  Built on a foundation of highly regarded professionals, the principals have extensive backgrounds and insights in all phases of construction, building code compliance, and mitigation.  Collectively they have over 70 years in the construction industry, with over 40 years actively involved in all phases of building code compliance.  As a result of their many years in southwest Florida they have formed alliances and friendships with unrivaled, industry professionals, throughout the state.  These alliances and friendships form the backbone of a consortium with expertise able to address any and all situations.

A Bio of our founders Fred Sylvester, and Frank O’Neill follows, touching on their backgrounds and some of their career accomplishments follows.

Fred Sylvester

Background and Notable Accomplishments
Florida licensed Building Contractor, and past president of the Lee Building Industry Association (Lee BIA)(president 1994). Fred has been actively involved in building construction, building code compliance, inspections, and building consulting, begining in 1973.  His extensive background began as a tradesman in the early 70s, in 1975 he formed and operated Sylvester Carpentry Contractors Inc, a company he ran until 1983, During that time he employed up to 20 carpenters and was involved in constructing over 200 structures, both commercial and residential.  In 1983 he formed Sylvester Homes Inc. This company built and remodeled custom homes and commercial properties throughout southwest Florida.

Subsequent to Hurricane Andrew, Fred served as a special inspector, of hurricane damaged homes in metropolitan Dade county.  He performed over 700 damage assessment reports for insurance companies, individuals, and the metropolitan Dade County Building Department.  In 1993 he formed Accredited Building Consultants Inc, which has performed hundreds of inspection reports for existing commercial and residential buildings.  As well the company has performed progress reports for new construction projects, for builders, property associations, banks, and the general public.  The company also prepared windstorm mitigation affidavits for the insurance industry.  Fred has served local law firms as an expert witness in construction litigation proceedings, and is recognized as an expert witness in the 20th Judicial Court System    

Frank O'Neill AICP, CBO
Background and Notable Accomplishments

General Contractor, Building Official, and AICP, (American Institute of Certified Planners) Recognized Planner, credentials' held by few individuals. These credentials, and decades of active involvement in each of these disciplines, have contributed to a well-rounded insight, and understanding of construction practices, building code requirements, building owners concerns, and insurance underwriters concerns.

Frank started as a laborer, and was most recently, the interim Building Official for the City of Naples, a community where over the years he has filled several other contract positions, including, Planner, and Flood Plain Coordinator.

• During the '60s Frank joined the military (Army), and upon returning to civilian life, served an apprenticeship in the International Brotherhood of Bricklayers Plasters and Masons.

• In the '70s he went to college under the GI Bill, and became a Florida State licensed General Contractor.

• In the '80s he entered municipal government and progressed to the position of Chief Building Inspector for Lee County Florida. A position he held for 17 years. During his tenure with Lee County, he was able to enjoy assisting in the community's growth and development in the areas of building safety, as it relates to the built environment. As well, he was given the opportunity to expand his education, insight, and understanding.

• In the '90s he expanded his interests to governmental affairs and planning, and in the mid 90's, was recognized

as a Planner, by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). In 1996 he was invited to, and began attending  statewide monthly meetings of the Governors Code Study Commission. He was appointed to the Education Committee, and later assisted in the final formatting of the Core Curriculum Course, and acted as the presenter of the Internet Online Florida Building Code Core Curriculum Course. In the late 90's the Study Commission morphed into the Florida Building Commission. Since its inception he has attended statewide monthly meetings, and continues to attend the Florida Building Commissions bimonthly meetings. His most recent appointment (2006) was to the Hurricane Shutter and Garage Door Labeling Committee.

• At the turn of the century (mid 2000) he left government to assume the responsibilities of Municipal and Educational Facilities Division Manager, for PEICO Engineering, (a subsidiary of U.S. Laboratories). PEICO was the premier provider of private construction inspections and material testing, with offices statewide. His position was centered on providing safe, code compliant Educational Facilities, by providing transition plans, setting up, and in some cases overseeing Building Departments for School Boards, Community Colleges, and Universities statewide. A more complete outline of responsibilities and duties as well as a list of licenses and registrations, are addressed later

• n 2002, with the sale of U.S Laboratories (PEICO), he saw an opportunity to use the knowledge, and many contacts and friendships he had developed, and formed a consulting firm, specializing in, Building Code compliance, construction and development code mitigation, product approval, and education. And when he saw the oncoming insurance discount dilemma, he recognized it as another opportunity to use his talents and contacts.

• Frank was actively involved in the 1992 ISO, Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule Pilot Program (system presently used by insurance agencies to grade local building departments). He recommended modifications to forms and survey questions, and the weight given to some of the critical components. Many of these suggested modifications were included in the final draft.

• Immediately after Hurricane Andrew Frank coordinated and oversaw a 14-man Damage Assessment Team. Reviewing and documenting damage to structures in south Dade County. By assisting Dade County, a wealth of knowledge and understanding was accrued.

• Frank participated on a committee seated by Miami Mayor, Alex Penelas to establish recommendations and procedures to alleviate the backlog and delays in the Dade County Building Department. The result was the introduction to privatization of plan review and inspections, in Florida. 

• He has been involved in several FEMA floodplain Community audits. Providing documentation answering questions and addressing issues.

• He was the featured speaker at the FSPMA, (Florida School Plant Managers Association) Annual Conference in 2001, addressing Building Code issues as they relate to Educational Facilities.

• In conjunction with Florida Department of Education he presented Building Code updates and answered questions, at special training sessions conducted by the Department of Education, statewide.

• Frank provided transition plans and setup Building Departments for School Boards and Universities statewide. Locally he set up and oversaw the Building Department for the Lee County School Board, and Gulf Coast University.

• After hurricane Charlie, Frank was the Project Manager, for a Damage Assessment Team reviewing and documenting residential losses for the city of Arcadia.

• Frank is currently involved in the creation of the new ICC Residential Building Code for High Wind Areas. His participation was specific to the Foundation Committee, however he was actively involved with other committees.

• Most recently as the interim Building Official for the City of Naples he was actively involved in the ISO Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule audit. Preparing the documents, and addressing the issues in an on-site interview. As well, he oversaw the Hurricane Wilma damage assessments, statistical data, and the preparation of the FEMA reports

LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Florida State Licenses
Florida Certified General Contractor
Florida Certified Building Code Administrator
Florida Certified Building Plans Examiner
Florida Certified Building Inspector
Florida Certified Mechanical Inspector
Florida Certified Plumbing Inspector
Florida Certified Roofing Inspector
Florida Certified Electrical Inspector

Southern Standard Building Code Congress
International (SBCCI)

Certificates of Registration
Chief Building Code Analyst
Chief Building Inspector
Building Plans Examiner
Building Inspector
Mechanical Inspector
Electrical Inspector Residential
Housing Rehabilitation Inspector
Housing Rehabilitation Code Enforcement Officer

Building Officials and Code Administrators
International (BOCA)

Certificates of Registration
Building Plans Examiner
Building Inspector
Mechanical Inspector
Residential Electrical Inspector

Building Officials Association of Florida, (BOAF)

Certifications
Building Official
Chief Building Inspector
Chief Mechanical Inspector
Chief Plumbing Inspector

Florida Department of Education

UBC Inspector

Council of American Building Officials (CABO)

Certifications
Certified Building Official

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Qualified Member