New board member Fred Volkers, who was born in Zeeland, Mich., began his plumbing career more than forty years ago when he was approximately one year out of high school. Since then, he has worked tirelessly in the industry, promoting safe plumbing codes and serving actively with IAPMO.

Volkers was drafted into the military a year after starting work as a plumber. Stationed in Hawaii from 1966 to 1968, he served as a plumber for the military. He began his UA apprenticeship with Local 675 in Hawaii. In 1969, Volkers moved to Seattle and joined Local 32; he remains a member today.

Volkers became a journeyman plumber in 1973, shortly after transferring to the Northwest. He worked as a foreman for fourteen years, installing plumbing systems that ran the gamut from small remodels to large, multi-story buildings and hospitals. In 1987, he became a detailer for University Mechanical Contractors, Inc., checking engineers’ plumbing designs to ensure their compliance with the UPC. After ten years with that company, Volkers accepted a position as a plumbing inspector for the city of Bellevue, Wash. He continues his work with Bellevue to this day, and is also qualified as a combination dwelling inspector for the city.

An active member of IAPMO since the mid-1980s, Volkers has served as chair of the Northwest Washington Chapter for the last nine years. He served as an alternate on the UPC Technical Committee until May of this year. Volkers is also a skilled teacher; he served as a UA instructor, teaching drawing and blueprint reading courses to apprentices in his local from 1980 to 2003. He graduated from the UA instructor training program in 1987.  A dedicated proponent of IAPMO, Volkers has promoted the UPC as the premier plumbing code throughout his career.

Volkers and his wife Judy met in Hawaii while both were serving in the military—he as a plumber and she as a nurse. They married in 1968 and have two children, Elizabeth Ann and David, and three grandchildren. In their spare time, the Volkerses enjoy traveling.

Volkers would like to thank all those who have supported him throughout his career. He would like to include a special thanks to Russ Chaney and all the IAPMO staff for their continued support and encouragement throughout his time as Northwest Washington Chapter chairman.