Olszowy: We have a purpose, a vision and an obligation.

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International Code Council Board of Directors President Alex "Cash" Olszowy addresses attendees during the Annual Banquet at the 2015 ICC Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif.

Newly elected ICC Board of Directors President Alex "Cash" Olszowy, on the heels of themes from previous board presidents, encouraged Annual Conference attendees to serve as mentors to the next generation of code officials and to lead by example. "Lead with courage and resolve," Olszowy said during the Annual Banquet at ICC's 2015 Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif. "Past President Jimmy Brothers encouraged us to 'throw deep.' Immediate Past President Guy Tomberlin challenged us to 'prepare for the next generation.' I am not here to present a new resolve to our Membership, but to piggyback on the great vision of my predecessors: Let's throw deep to our next generation. "Past President Steve Jones challenged you to be active," Olszowy continued. "In that same sense, I challenge you to find that individual who will fill your shoes, walk in your footsteps and who you will mentor." Olszowy referenced some of the code officials who have been instrumental in his career, including inspector Rhea Umberger, his boss Dewey Crowe, and colleagues Jeff Camp, George Mann and Ron Dill. "These upstanding gentlemen of our profession, with no particular agenda of their own, have influenced me and countless others," he explained. "They took the time to mentor me as a young buck. They cared because they saw the value in the work that we do, and had the passion to invest in my future, and the future of so many other up-and-coming code officials. "All of you have impacted the lives and careers of someone else, and I encourage you to continue to lead by example," Olszowy continued. "Lead with courage and resolve. Who will you challenge, recruit, educate, promote, engage and encourage to lead our association and our profession? Our membership will survive, but in order to thrive, its sustainability resides in our commitment to mentor and volunteer." Olszowy encouraged attendees to pattern their service after other leaders in their communities. "Never underestimate the power of the volunteer," he said. "You know who they are in your own communities. They have been helping groups as far back as they can remember. Maybe it was Little League, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. They are you. "Embrace these young men and women, take them under your wing, show them the ropes and give them purpose," he continued. "Look at it as Safety 2.0: Building Careers for Today's Generation. The future leaders of this association are among us and back home waiting for a chance. Which one of you will mold those young minds and one day see them on this stage addressing the membership as president of the International Code Council?" Olszowy said mentoring the next generation of code officials helps maintain the vision and mission and long-term goals of the association. "United we are strong, focused, driven and prepared," he concluded. "We have a duty to protect and promote the essence of who we are. Do not let that thought get lost. "We a have a purpose. We have a vision. We have an obligation. We have an opportunity to sustain these principles. Our future depends on it."