Board Profile: Gregori Anderson
"We are looking to bring sound science, sound
code development and sound implementation strategies
to other parts of the world," says Code Council
Board member Gregori Anderson. "We've worked with
Mexico on a residential code, and we're developing codes
in Spanish. We've got discussions and partnerships with
our Canadian neighbors. We are working with nations
around the world. The desert in the Sahara is no different
from the desert in California. A desert is a desert.
There are some common areas and some common ground to
build upon."
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Gregori Anderson has wanted to serve on the ICC Board for
years, and at the 2006 Annual Conference, the members gave
him that chance.
"I've always thought that the best impact someone can
have is by coming to the table when things are being developed,
not complaining after the fact. I've always had an activist
spirit to volunteer my time," he explains.
 With
22 years of experience in code enforcement, and active involvement
dating back to legacy organization days, serving on the ICC
Board was the next logical step. He brings with him a perspective
beyond that of code enforcement.
"I'm trained as an architect and have been on the other
side of the code enforcement line. I've used codes from a
design standpoint. A talented architect can use the code as
a tool and not look at the code as an obstacle.
"My background also includes historic preservation,"
he says. "In some cases the code becomes a real challenge
when we are dealing with buildings that were built more than
a century ago. Savannah is one of the largest, if not the
largest, historic land district in the country.
"I've also worked as a construction manager," he
continues, "so I know how codes play out in the field.
My background is varied, and I believe it gives me a unique
perspective. These are the types of experiences I apply daily
and look forward to using during my tenure on the Board."
Anderson sees the Board as having two major responsibilities:
supporting the membership, and making sure ICC is sound financially.
Beyond that, he looks forward to the day when the ICC is international
in fact as well as name. Going international has its challenges,
but Anderson believes ICC is up to it.
 "We
are looking to bring sound science, sound code development
and sound implementation strategies to other parts of the
world," he says. "We've worked with Mexico on a
residential code, and we're developing codes in Spanish. We've
got discussions and partnerships with our Canadian neighbors.
We are working with nations around the world. The desert in
the Sahara is no different from the desert in California.
A desert is a desert. There are some common areas and some
common ground to build upon. Whether it's a tsunami in Sri
Lanka or a hurricane in the United States, wind is the same,
and the characteristics of wind are the same, so there are
starting points that we can sit down and begin discussions
about.
"What becomes a challenge is construction technology,
building materials and those kinds of things that we in developed
countries take for granted. They are not the same when you
look outside of developed nations. When you are in the Sahara
desert, even though the sand and the wind is the same, you
are not using wood frame and concrete block any more; you
are dealing with indigenous materials. How do you design a
code standard that will allow people to live and work in safer
construction, but also use the indigenous materials that are
being used in that particular region, in some cases for centuries?
How do we apply modern testing methods to those materials
that can be a determining factor on what their limits are
in terms of strength and durability? Those have become the
challenges above and beyond the language."
 In
the end, however, he comes back home with his goals for ICC.
"My local vision is to make sure we sustain our original
goals and mission: to provide services and products to our
members here in the States; to continue to have codes that
are progressive and innovative; to continue to reach into
areas of testing and materials and new techniques; and to
have services and products with value that are available at
a reasonable price to our membership."
Anderson looks forward to his term of service on the Board.
"So far, I'm just getting my feet wet and I certainly
enjoy it. It's something I've always wanted to do, and I thank
the membership for the opportunity. I'll serve them to the
best of my ability."
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