Karla Higgs honored for outstanding member and customer service

Award is granted by the chief executive officer to a staff member for recognition of meritorious service to ICC

The International Code Council (ICC) William J. Tangye Staff Recognition Award is granted by the chief executive officer of ICC to a staff member for recognition of meritorious service to ICC, one who demonstrates unparalleled service to the ICC organization. This award is given in honor of William J. Tangye, the first chief executive officer of ICC, for his meritorious service to, and development of, ICC. The 2017 William J. Tangye Staff Recognition Award winner is ICC Member Services Vice President Karla Higgs.

As a respected leader, William J. Tangye exemplified customer and member service. He believed it was ICC’s mission to serve the members and he had a unique way of showing the members the value of service. Higgs is an ICC staff member who exemplifies Tangye’s leadership. She provides essential leadership to those around her, supports her colleagues in ICC’s Government Relations, and generously serves ICC’s members, chapters and stakeholders.

“Throughout the year, as I travel the country and talk to members and attend chapter meetings, I don’t think a meeting goes by where somebody doesn’t stop me and ask me to tell Karla thank you for what she does in serving ICC,” said Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims. “She is sought out by her colleagues. You know somebody is a true role model when their colleagues call them and ask how to solve a problem or how to deal with an issue.”

“All the technology and advancements ICC has made could never replace the human touch Karla has brought to ICC and our membership services,” said ICC Business Development Director/Executive Vice President Mark Johnson. “There is no database big enough to remember all the intricacies of our members. There is no heart as big as hers. While we have a lot of policies, rules, guidelines and procedures, she’s taught me that most of them are mere guidelines when it comes to solving membership challenges.”

“I can’t tell you what an honor it is to receive recognition for serving people that I admire as much as I do the people in this room right now,” said Higgs. “Thank you so much. That this award is named after a man that I admired is just icing on the cake. I share this award with everyone in Member Services, everyone in ICC and particularly my colleagues in Government Relations. I honestly could not do my job without them all.”