InTucker Magazine

Team Tucker – Will Wiggins

Building Official

What is your professional background?
Most of my younger life was spent as a police officer/detective with local police departments in DeKalb County. I also worked part-time with Grady as an Emergency Medical Technician. I was a Deputy Fire Marshal with Gwinnett County Fire Services serving as a Senior Fire Inspector and Arson Investigator. I then got into building inspections, serving as a Senior Building Inspector with DeKalb County and as Building Official for several municipalities in the metro area.

What is a typical day like for a Building Official?
My day starts out by getting into the office early so that I can review the inspection requests for the day and review my emails and voice mails that I have received after hours. I prepare the inspections schedule for the day, return phone calls and emails. I answer any technical questions that we receive throughout the day from residents and contractors. I perform building and trade plans reviews for Code Enforcement prior to the permits being issued. I assist the permitting technician and work in the field as needed.

What do homeowners or contractors most need to understand about Building and Permitting in the City of Tucker?
I would like for them to know that the staff is here to ensure construction and installations are being performed to the state required codes so that the residences and the public are safe in their homes and businesses. This is our main objective – SAFETY. We also want to make sure the residents and business owners are getting what they paid for.

How is Tucker unique from other municipalities where you’ve worked?
The staff here in Tucker is outstanding, a real pleasure to work with. They show the true meaning of teamwork that you often do not have in government settings.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Knowing that at the end of the day I have made a difference in the community. That I have helped someone to see their dream come into play, may that be a family having a new home to move into or a new building for a business owner to start seeing their dream come true.

Off The Wall

What’s your favorite food? 
Most anything with the word “seafood” in it.

What do you do in your free time? 
My grandchildren are my priority, so I try to spend as much time as I can with them. I also like fishing and spending time in my yard.

Most exciting place you’ve ever vacationed? 
That would the Grand Turks, which is a beautiful place.

What is one thing your co-workers don’t know about you? 
That I am a great cook, at least I think so.