International Code Council honors extraordinary building safety professionals during special virtual awards event

The Bobby J. Fowler Award honors the memory of the first chairman of the Code Council Board of Directors who led the charge to consolidate three regional model code organizations into one association. This award is presented to a leader who demonstrates integrity, professionalism and compassion. This year’s Fowler Award recipient is Sam Francis, retiree from the American Wood Council and the city of Dayton, Ohio.

The Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award is awarded to an individual whose contributions advance the code enforcement profession and the Code Council’s mission. The award is presented in honor of the founders of the three model code organizations: Albert H. Baum, M.L. Clement and Phil Roberts. The 2020 Code Official of the Year is Valarie Evans, building official for the city of North Las Vegas, Nev.

The Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award is presented annually to recognize career achievement by an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and longstanding dedication in support of fire codes and fire prevention. This prestigious award honors the memory of Chief Robert W. Gain. The recipient of the 2020 Robert W. Gain Fire Prevention Leadership Award is Lee Wheeler, retired fire chief from the Renton, Wash., Fire Department.

The ICC Excellence in Public Safety Award is awarded to a member of the building industry who consistently demonstrates the qualities of integrity, professionalism and dedication in their services to the profession and whose personal standards represent the spirit of public service to the development of codes and standards in the interest of public safety. The award is presented in honor of four individuals who exemplified the qualities cited for granting this award: Ron Burton, John Fies, Wilbur H. Lind and Alton Riddick. The recipient of the 2020 Public Safety Award is Steven Tafoya, building official/director for the Fayette County, Ga., Department of Building Safety.

The ICC Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service that promotes public health, safety and welfare. The 2020 recipient is the Mansfield, Texas, Volunteer Program.

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes excellence in promoting professional development. The award is given in memory of Brent Snyder, a renowned Code Council educator and past presiding officer, for his calm and inspiring leadership. The 2020 Educator of the Year is Charles Clawson, founder of the Building Professionals Institute and development services director for the city of Arlington, Texas.

The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary performance by a chapter in promoting the goals and mission of the Code Council. The 2020 recipient is the Code Official Association of Alabama for its work to ensure consistent code enforcement throughout all areas of Alabama and its scholarship program to encourage and assist those attending college or trade school.

The Chapter Merit Award recognizes chapters that distinguish themselves through activities demonstrating the Code Council’s goals and objectives. The Oregon Permit Technicians Association is recognized this year for its commitment to member education, service to its respective communities and its efforts to promote Building Safety Month.

The Raising the Profile Award recognizes an individual or organization for acts or contributions that raise the public awareness of code personnel that improve public safety in the built environment. The 2020 Raising the Profile Award recipient is Joel A. Dramis for his work as building code administrator for the city of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Building Department.

The PMG Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization for exceptional service to the plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pool/spa (PMG) industry. The Code Council’s 2020 PMG Leadership Award recipient is Richard Grace, code specialist for Fairfax County, Va.

The Meritorious Service Award is granted to an individual who has given unselfishly of time and talent in furthering the development of Code Council codes and standards. The 2020 Meritorious Service Award recipient is posthumously awarded to Jim W. Sealy, a formerly self-employed architect. He is awarded, respectfully, for his practice of architecture in several prestigious firms where he became actively involved in building codes, life safety and construction industry standards.

The Code Council congratulates all the 2020 award recipients. To read the full profiles of the award recipients, click here.