Wow, we are halfway through the year! It’s summer and things are heating up in temperature and construction activity. How are things going in your town? Is work progressing so fast you can hardly keep up? Texas is blessed with an abundant amount of development. We are staying quite busy these days and with that comes a distinct set of challenges. Trying to hire new people for your team is hard to do in an environment where everyone else is doing the same thing. But there is one thing you can do – train the people you have so they can become more productive. BOAT is doing everything we can to help you with this task.
The Houston Building Professionals Institute (BPI) went very well with approximately 600 attending this year. In May, we successfully completed our 24th BPI in Arlington and had a great turnout as well. Next up, our BOAT Annual Conference. It is right around the corner. It’s not too late to sign up for Sugar Land on August 2-5. We have a great conference planned with vendors, sessions on a variety of subjects, and some fun activities. We have awards for outstanding building departments and recognition for employees as well. Come on out!
Our BOAT board had elections this past year and it produced some new members to our executive board, but priorities change and so we must wish a congratulatory farewell to our friend and building official from Abilene, David Sartor. Born and raised in Abilene, David has been working for the city since 1992. Beginning as a plumbing inspector, through the years he worked to become building official. David had the unique honor of working with the well-respected and esteemed Bob Fowler, whom many consider one of the founding fathers of ICC. David served on both the ICBO and ICC plumbing exam development committees and served on the ICC plumbing code change committee from 1998 to 2006. He is certainly very knowledgeable and experienced. Although he was a BOAT board member for a short time, we will miss him as he has decided to retire after 25 years. David, we wish you well and good luck in retirement!
For the rest of us it’s time to get ready for our next event, the BOAT Conference in Sugar Land! Check out the website for all the information and see you there!
Selso Mata, AIA, CBO, City of Plano
BOAT President