BSC Member Honored for Lifetime Service, Industry Leadership

Doug Parsons, co-owner of Appalachian Log Structures, has been honored with the S.A. Walters Award

Named after the man who became the first chairman of what is known today as the Building Systems Councils (BSC), the S.A. Walters Award is the highest honor the councils bestow. The award recognizes a lifetime of achievement in systems-built housing.

“Being recognized by my peers, friends and colleagues to receive the S.A. Walters Award is both inspiring and an honor,” Parsons stated. “I am truly surprised and humbled to be added to the distinguished list of S.A. Walters Award recipients.”

Parsons began his building career early in life as a goffer and laborer, digging ditches and installing insulation in crawlspaces, as well as framing, masonry and concrete finishing. By the time he was 20 years old, he was a self-employed contractor building 1,200 to 2,200-square-foot ranch and split-entry starter modular and prefabricated homes. Parsons now leads the organization that his father founded, Appalachian Log Structures, and is a co-owner along with his brother and sisters.

Parsons has been active in the BSC since the 1980s. He and his father were active in the North American Log Builders Association, which eventually merged with the Log Homes Council — one of the original Building Systems Councils. As a member, Parsons became an active contributor to the development of industry white papers and chaired the Log Home Council’s Technical Committee. During that time, the council pushed for the development of the International Code Council (ICC) “Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures.” Parsons continues to share his expertise and perspective with the Log & Timber Homes Council (LTHC).

Appalachian Log Structures has been a long-term West Virginia Home Builders Association member, and Parsons has supported the LTHC and BSC by participating on the LTHC Steering Committee, as well as 2016 LTHC council chairman.He has also served six terms on the BSC Board of Trustees.

“Appalachian Log Structures has been an active participant in the log home industry and supporter of NAHB members for more than 35 years,” said BSC Chairman Brian Sielaff. “Doug’s leadership — both through the council and through his company — has helped paved the way for today’s log and timber home industry to thrive, and served as an inspiration for others in his company and the industry to get involved.”

For more information about the Building Systems Councils and its award programs, contact Devin Perry.