Tomberlin: Our Future Looks Promising Attracting, educating and energizing the next generation of code officials and industry leaders will be the focus of Guy Tomberlin's tenure as President of the International Code Council Board of Directors. To that end, Tomberlin brought up to the stage past ICC Board Presidents and other colleagues who have influenced his career as he was sworn in at the Code Council's 2014 Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "I wanted to emphasis the value in working together," said Tomberlin, Branch Chief Residential/Light Commercial Inspections, Land Development Services, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Fairfax County, Va. "These individuals have been a huge part of my support network in one capacity or another throughout of my career in code enforcement, as I have become the 'next generation' to those before me." Though they come from diverse backgrounds, Tomberlin said, each understands the importance of working together, fairness, negotiation, mentoring, consensus building, staying focused on the issues for the greater good and occasionally engaging in spirited debate. "It is often said we are only as successful as those who surround us, so it only makes sense to surround ourselves with these type individuals," Tomberlin said. "I would like to ask that you look around and identify who you think might be the next person or people to help ICC continue moving in the right direction, just as you have done. This is the time to commit to succession planning, mentoring and raising the profile. It is our responsibility to help implement a process that will motivate and inspire the next generation. "We are the group that has to identify future talent, whether it's in your office, at a Chapter meeting or right here at the ICC conferences." Tomberlin shared a story of his own evolution and ascent into the code development process, which began by serving on an interpretation committee in the early 1990s. "That was all it took to get me energized in code development," he said. "That's where I learned that code development is a fluid and dynamic process." Innovations such as cdpAccess help even more of the 57,000 Members stay active and informed in the code development process, Tomberlin said, without the burden of travel and time out of the office. "This is a huge step toward embracing the next generation," he said. "We remain challenged with trying to engage a generation of people who are accustomed to the short-term rewards in most that they experienced over the past 20 years. We are optimistic that cdpAccess may be a gateway to unrealized opportunity as we become more advanced in the electronic world." Code development and support services such as training and education are the core missions that drive the Code Council and sustain the association during fluctuations in the economy, Tomberlin said. And at times, not all Members have agreed with the Board's decisions in how to handle those fluctuations, he added. "With an organization of approximately 57,000 Members, change to meet the needs of one segment often meets resistance in another," Tomberlin explained. "Commitment to mutual respect and understanding along with good communication will continue to help us meet our goals and your expectations. "I want to stress the importance of a network and how working together is not an option, but the clear path to success," Tomberlin continued. "We must convey the importance of this message to the next generation." Although ICC has a diverse Member base, Tomberlin said there are many ways to get involved, including committee service, council participation, test writing groups, writing code changes, participating in any capacity on the local and national levels, not to mention board service. "I stress that folks commit to whatever ability they have," he said. "That is what has worked for me. Code development has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career before serving on your Board of Directors." Tomberlin said the Board will continue to instill the framework of a culture that invites more involvement, engagement and participation with the association. "I look forward to a positive and productive 2015 with you and the ICC," he concluded. "As we work toward an improved landscape, we are continually challenged with issues such as extended code adoption cycles and vulnerability in the protection of our intellectual property. "However, thanks to you, our Members, we are a healthy organization, and our future looks promising."