IAS eNews
IAS Board Meeting Highlights
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| ICC COO Rick Weiland (far right) addresses IAS Board and staff members during the April 2006 meeting in Whittier, California. (L-R) IAS Vice President Pat McCullen; IAS Board Director Robert G. Blanton, IAS Board Director Curtis Mann, IAS Board Director James Brothers, and IAS CFO Jim Houle. |
The April 2006 IAS Board of Directors meeting held in Whittier, California, covered a wide array of business issues - ranging from financial reporting to the new 2006 business plan. The April 27-29 meeting commenced with a two-hour orientation for new IAS board members followed by two days of board meetings. The last meeting commenced with presentations by key IAS staff on their areas of responsibility.
Accreditation Officer Sandi McCracken gave a report on the IAS fabricator inspection accreditation program. McCracken's mention of the joint assessments conducted with the AISC was of much interest. In addition, the Board applauded the move towards establishing a single national accreditation standard for fabricator inspections.
Accreditation Officer Hershal Brewer's presentation on the IAS calibration laboratory accreditation program was equally well received. Brewer mentioned IAS involvement in establishing a national focus to improve the competence level of calibration technicians, and that IAS is the only accreditation body in the U.S. mandating certification of calibration technicians by 2009.
John Pakianadan, IAS senior accreditation officer, gave a presentation on the ongoing international proficiency testing (PT) programs. IAS accredited laboratories are required to participate in the PT program. Samples of two APLAC PT artifacts from Japan for thermal resistance testing were shown to the board. Currently, eight IAS-accredited testing laboratories are participating in this PT program.
IAS Chief Financial Officer James Houle reported on the positive financial health of the organization and the strong growth momentum in IAS. To help prepare for future growth, Accreditation Manager Raj Nathan delivered a presentation on IT needs for the next three years.
IAS VP Pat McCullen addressed the Board on the subject of Special Inspection under Chapter 17 of the IBC. McCullen stressed that the special inspection requirements are not optional, and that building officials have a responsibility to see that the provisions of the code are being implemented and enforced. McCullen encouraged the Board members and the ICC Membership to carefully review the requirements of IBC Chapter 17, and to look to the IAS Accreditation Program for IBC Special Inspection Agencies as a resource to help them implement these critical code requirements.
Revisions to the various rules of procedure were approved, and a new technical advisory council (TAC) for building departments was established with James L. Brothers of Decatur, Alabama, as chair and the following — Roy Fewell, City of La Habra, California; Sharon Myers, State of Ohio; Dana Brems, City of Henderson, Nevada; John Telford, Clark County, Nevada; Earl Russell, City of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Terry Summey, City of Ashville, North Carolina — as members.
In a related action, the Board approved replacement of Chuck Ramani by Michael Bouse, City of Henderson, Nevada, as chair of the TAC for inspection agencies.
A report on the IAS 2006 training agenda showed an ambitious calendar with upcoming training in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Cairo, Egypt, and several programs within the U.S. Staff reported that the three 2006 workshops on Uncertainty in Measurements were sold-out events with positive participant feedback. Overall, the board meeting was very successful and reflects the energy and drive within IAS.