Former Code Council President Jimmy Brothers Receives Prestigious Bobby J. Fowler Award

During the International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, the prestigious Bobby J. Fowler Award was presented to James “Jimmy” Brothers.

The annual Bobby J. Fowler Award was established to acknowledge the first board chair, who led the charge to create a consolidated Code Council. With this award, the Code Council recognizes peers and colleagues who reflect the association’s values, including a dedication to developing model codes and standards used in the design, building and compliance processes, to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

“Receiving the Bobby J. Fowler Award is the pinnacle of my career,” said Brothers.

Brothers dedicated his extensive career to public service, which included his position as president of the Code Council’s Board of Directors from 2010-2011. 

“It was personally satisfying to successfully lead the Code Council as President and to know that the groundwork for that possibility was established by Bobby Fowler,” Brothers said. “Although I only met him a couple of times early in my career, his vision influenced so many of my mentors.”

Brothers’ Support of the Development of the Code Council

During the 2023 award presentation, Code Council Board Member and Chief Building Officer Alan Boswell accepted the award on Jimmy’s behalf, and noted he was one of the critical leaders in the Code Council’s early development.

“Jimmy’s laser-focused business acumen, along with his understanding of leadership during difficult times, allowed him to refocus the board’s efforts to lay the groundwork for the thriving association we have today,” said Boswell.

Brothers was appointed to the first code development committee to draft the International Plumbing Code® (IPC).

“The Code Council’s first CEO, Bill Tangye, challenged me to be a leader within the organization,” Brothers said. “So, I accepted.”

After numerous hearings around the country, the first IPC was developed and then published for adoption in 1995 by member jurisdictions.

The experience of hearing from all aspects of the code arena, especially from dedicated code officials in each legacy group, convinced Brothers that the prudent way forward for the building safety community would be to consolidate under the unified Code Council entity.

“If not for Jimmy’s ability to bring a diverse and sometimes contentious board together, we might not have had an association left to serve,” Boswell said. “It is only fitting as we approach our 30th anniversary that we recognize this exceptional public servant and champion of the Code Council’s legacy.” 

Code Enforcement Leadership in Alabama

After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1977 with a degree in political science and an urban planner certification, Brothers started working for the City of Decatur as a Planner. Then in 1989, he became Building Director – the youngest department head in the city’s history.

The city of Decatur was an early adopter of the IPC, as well as several other International Codes® as they were published.

“To plan for the numerous complex industrial projects in Decatur’s jurisdiction, I met with 2008 Fowler Award-winner Bob Weber,” Brothers said. “With his encouragement, Decatur became the first territory to adopt the International Performance Code®. Bob’s influence helped me gain confidence in performance designs too.”

During his career, Brothers was also Past President of the North Alabama Code Officials Association, receiving its Alabama Code Official of the Year Award, as well as the leader for the Code Officials Association of Alabama, which gave him the Distinguished Service Award. In addition, he worked on several state-level advisory committees and councils throughout his home state and served on over a dozen Code Council and legacy code committees.

“My Code Council career was the most fulfilling professional life I could have hoped for,” Brothers said. “My professional contacts helped me lead during challenging times and through difficult issues. Over a decade later, I am grateful to see the Code Council as a successful and thriving organization that is making a tremendous contribution to public safety.”

Brothers remained Decatur’s Building Director for over 25 years until he retired to spend more time with his wife Tisa, and his children and grandkids. 

“And I still stay in touch with many Code Council friends, frequently on the golf course,” Brothers happily added.

Learn more about the Code Council’s awards program and nominate a building safety professional for a 2023 award by visiting the Code Council’s awards page.