Bailey Honored with Code Council's Prestigious Bobby J. Fowler Award
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International Code Council Board of Directors outgoing President Stephen D. Jones, CBO, (left) presents the prestigious Bobby J. Fowler Award to Wally Bailey, Director of Development Services for Fort Smith, Ark.; former ICC and SBCCI Board President; a member and past president of the Code Officials of Arkansas; and treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. |
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The 2014 Bobby J. Fowler Award was presented to Wally Bailey, Director of Development Services for Fort Smith, Ark.; former ICC and SBCCI Board President; a member and past president of the Code Officials of Arkansas; and treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. Bailey is a leader in the industry, who has a legacy of service with integrity, professionalism and compassion to further the noble cause of ICC.
Bailey is a certified building official, inspector, plans examiner and rehabilitation construction specialist. He is a proven industry leader and established a legacy of service to the ICC, as well as other building safety and code-related organizations. Bailey repeatedly oversees large projects. He chaired the ICC's Regions Committee, Governance Committee and cdpACCESS Committee. As President of the ICC, he introduced the initiative of Raising the Profile of the Code Official, which resonates with all of us. He coined the phrase, "When we do our jobs, nothing happens."
Bailey also started a program to donate code books to colleges. He greatly expanded ICC's international efforts, reaching out to Australia, New Zealand and Canada to introduce the International Codes and our association. The result is an established, valuable relationship that still exists today.
"Many people tried to get me to run," Bailey said of getting involved with the Boards for ICC and the legacy organization Southern Building Code Congress International. "Finally, Mr. Larry Bell, as only Larry Bell could, cornered me in the corridor in a hotel at the SBCCI conference in Myrtle Beach. And Larry said to me as if I was one of his sons, and I felt like I was being talked to by my dad. He said, 'Boy, it's time to fish or cut bait. Those of you who are fisherman know what I'm talking about....that was the last thing I remember before I took the plunge. Today, I think some of us need to be finding and mentoring and telling people, it's time to fish or cut bait. It's time for them to step up. And one day they will be standing here." |