Lenexa, Kansas’ David Byl Earns 2022 Meritorious Service Award from International Code Council

Each year, the International Code Council recognizes peers and colleagues who are a reflection of what the association stands for: dedication to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. The Code Council honored several outstanding individuals and organizations for their accomplishments, service, and contributions to building safety and resiliency in their communities during the 2022 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

For much of his career, David Byl has been content to help out behind the scenes and let others shine in the limelight. The irony is, the more he got involved and provided service to others, the more he and his work began gaining recognition.

The culmination of that work was Byl, Senior Plans Examiner for the City of Lenexa, Kansas, getting a call in July that he would receive the International Code Council’s Meritorious Service Award at the Code Council’s 2022 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

“It was pretty cool,” said Byl. “I really don’t like to give people the idea that I do what I do for recognition… it is my passion, and I love it. My wife Lori was in the audience, and I was not up on the stage alone. There are a lot of people who helped me get there.”

Recognizing Exemplary Service in the Industry

The ICC Meritorious Service Award — given in honor of Walker S. Lee and A.J. Jack Lund — is granted to an individual who has given unselfishly of time and talent in furthering the development of Code Council codes and standards.

In presenting the award, Code Council Board Director at Large Steve McDaniel recounted how Byl earned the achievement, “David Byl has a passion and enthusiasm for codes and standards. He loves sharing his passion with everyone by educating code geeks and homeowners, young and old alike. No matter where someone is on their journey of learning the codes, David has always been willing to step forward and offer guidance. When facing those who may question the necessity of building codes, he is there to lay out all the reasons they are important.”

Community Service Driven by Passion

Byl explained how he’s loved his profession since graduating from the University of Northern Iowa nearly 40 years ago. He has immense dedication for his work, starting as a Building Inspector with Overland Park, Kansas. But he also has a passion for community, becoming a volunteer firefighter in Overland Park, as well as helping oversee its community center and even plowing streets and cul-de-sacs after snowfalls.

Still, Byl was hesitant to plunge into the code world. He credits mentors for helping him to do so, and once he did, he was hooked. “I attended my first Code Council Annual Business Meeting in 2011, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with my colleagues from all over the country. I also enjoyed getting involved in code hearings and the process.” Since then, Byl co-chaired in the planning of the Code Council’s Annual Business Meeting in Kansas City in 2016 and is helping on the committee planning the 2023 annual conference in St. Louis. “It’s been fun making contacts with people and members from different states and communities.”

During his career, Byl noticed the only time members of ICC Region IV – which he has led since 2019 – got together was once a year at the Annual Business Meetings. He saw the opportunity to set up regular meetings among the members, focusing on topics they came up with. “And they have come up with some great topics. At the last one, we talked about the new Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP) software and if and how others were using it. We’ve also had fire personnel giving presentations, it’s truly great. Initially, it was necessary to offer them virtually. But it still is the best way, since it allows for more participation in smaller communities who can’t travel.”

Service Opportunities Through the International Code Council

As he moved up the management rungs and became more aware of the possibilities through the Code Council, Byl became more involved and was asked to present trainings himself.  he has been a member the Code Council Exam Development Committee since 2020 and has been president of the ICC Region IV chapter since 2019. Byl has also served two terms as president of the Metropolitan Kansas City Chapter and participated on the Disaster Assessment Team for the State of Kansas and in revising the Central Jackson County Emergency Operations Manual.

“I have taught a couple different classes for the KCMAPT organization and have been contacted by others to possibly provide training. I never in my life would have thought I would stand in front of participants and teach a class. Now it’s a goal that I think is important for all of us to become involved.”

“The world has changed, and other generations are doing business differently. I’m trying to figure out how we can relate to this generation and help move our organizations forward.” Some of those outreach activities include being involved in Building Safety Month, along with city staff, promoting the profession at local governmental job fairs, and being present for his colleagues. “I love trying to help the membership with questions. Since serving on leadership roles on the local and regional chapter, I enjoy getting calls from members asking for help. I like finding out what we can do for them.”