Chief Building Offical/Plans Examiner
P: (330) 364-3164
C: (330) 401-8526
E: nmontan@ecohba.com

Nicholas has been the certified Building Official and Master Plans Examiner since the inception of the building department in 2004.  He developed the building department policies, procedures, application forms, and database.  He manages three full-time certified staff as well as backup inspectors and plan examiners.  He also reports monthly department data to the Ohio Board of Building Standards, ED&FA Board of Directors, and advisory committee.  Since 2004 he established sub-building departments in Holmes County and 17 municipalities.  ECOBA’s jurisdiction now includes 133,000 residents in 990 square miles, and the department has been responsible for $1.8 billion in Construction Value, 7,800 Applications for Approval, 48,400 Inspections, and $10.3 million in Revenues.

Nicholas is a past president of the Five-County Building Officials Association, 2009 and the Ohio Building Officials Association, 2020, served on the Board of Directors and participates in code development and education through the International Code Council.

Prior to becoming a Code Official, Nicholas obtained a Bachelor of Architecture at Kent State University in 1987 and became a licensed architect in 1991.  He has many years of experience in project design, construction and building code compliance.

Building & Mechanical Inspector
P: (330) 364-3164
C: (330) 401-8528
E: dthomas@ecohba.com

Dave is ECOBA’S full-time Building and Mechanical Inspector. A graduate of Tusky Valley, he also studied Carpentry at Buckeye Career Center. With a construction career spanning nearly four decades, Dave spent 31 years with Benchmark Construction, including 15 years in a supervisory role.

Electrical Safety Inspector #5382
P: (330) 364-3164
C: (330) 418-8318
E: tstephens@ecohba.com

Tom is ECOBA’s full time Electrical Safety Inspector. He is a 1974 graduate of Indian Valley North and a member of IBEW540 from 1978 to present. Tom competed ALBAT Program-Journeyman Lineman, JATC Program-Journeyman Wireman, and State License Fire Alarm Installer certification. He is an active member of IAEI, OBOA and FBOA.

Permit Technician, ICC 10553732
P: (330) 364-3164  
E: jricker@ecohba.com

Jesse joined ECOBA in February 2025, completing her International Code Council and BBS (Board of Building Standards) certifications in October 2025. Previously, she worked at the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation as the Administrative Assistant. Jesse is an active member of OBOA, FBOA, OCPT and WICED of OH.