New Permitting Services Podcast Episode Introduces New Commercial Building Chief

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 31, 2025

The 28th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, “Meet John Catlett: New DPS Commercial Building Division Chief,” features a discussion about the future of commercial building, from customer service to codes to industry trends and plan review.   

Hosted by Gail Lucas, DPS customer support and outreach division chief, this 25-minute episode features Division Chief Catlett’s approach for delivering excellent customer service from start to finish.

“Let’s rule out yes, before we say no,” said Catlett, who emphasizes a comprehensive approach to examine all the resources available outside of the commercial building code, including what has been done before.

Episode highlights include:

• Meet John Catlett: Get to know the new commercial building chief.

• Industry Updates: Learn about the latest changes in commercial building codes and regulations.

• Process Insights: Understand the review process for commercial building plans.

• Future Trends: Discover what's new in the industry and what improvements are on the horizon.

This episode of the Permitting Services Podcast is available now on the DPS website and various podcast platforms, including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. It is also posted at permittingservicespodcast.buzzsprout.com/.

You can subscribe to the podcast by tapping the “follow” button on the podcast provider’s platform. It can also be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel.

Previous DPS podcast episodes have covered accessory dwelling units (ADUs), building safety, deck permits, the Design for Life Property Tax Credit Program, home improvements, eSolar, fire code compliance, GIS maps, guidance for restaurants, the public right-of-way, septic systems, urban farming, use and occupancy certificates, vendor licenses and more.

Email questions about a current or previous episode, or an idea for future podcast episodes to [email protected].

The Office of Broadband Programs in the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions is providing technical support for the Permitting Services podcast.

DPS is located at 2425 Reedie Drive, Seventh Floor, in Wheaton. The customer service lobby is open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday; no appointment is necessary. Customers may also reach out to DPS staff by calling MC 311 or 240-777-0311. For more permitting information, visit the DPS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dps.

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Release ID: 25-295
Media Contact: Sonya Burke 240-855-9813
Categories: Permits, Podcast