SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 486 Offered February 2, 2007 Commending Charles A. Banks. ---------- Patrons-- Norment and Williams; Delegates: Hamilton, Morgan, Oder and Rapp ----------

WHEREAS, after longtime and dedicated service to industry in the Commonwealth and the citizens of Virginia, Charles A. Banks retired after an exemplary career in July 2006; and

WHEREAS, Charles A. "Charlie" Banks is recognized for his outstanding and visionary leadership as group chief executive of Wolseley plc since 2001; and

WHEREAS, Wolseley plc is the world's number one distributor of heating and plumbing products to the professional market and a leading supplier of building materials and services with major companies in the Commonwealth that serve and employ Virginians; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Brown University, Charlie Banks served his country for two years on active duty in the United States Navy and five years in the United States Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Banks began his distinguished career with Ferguson as one of their first management trainees in 1967 and worked his way up through the organization to become a general manager at branch level then on to a regional manager, expanding the Southern region from eight to 23 branches in five years; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Banks was appointed senior executive vice president to Ferguson in 1987, and became the company's president in 1989; and

WHEREAS, as president, Charlie Banks was instrumental in Ferguson becoming the leading wholesale plumbing distributor in America with 233 locations in 27 states; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Charlie Banks was appointed to the board of Wolseley plc, the international corporation that controls and operates Ferguson; and in 2001, he was appointed as group chief executive of Wolseley plc and reorganized the company’s management team and structure and relocated its head office; and

WHEREAS, as Wolseley's group chief executive, Charlie Banks has been responsible for planning, developing, and implementing the company’s strategic plan; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Banks has lead the dynamic and growing company of 55,000 employees, located in 14 countries, and positioned in the FTSE top 40 since 2001; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Banks also has served on the Wolseley plc board of directors, is a member of the executive committee, and has served as nonexecutive director of Bunzi plc and TowneBank/Peninsula; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Charles A. Banks on his many accomplishments and outstanding career; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles A. Banks as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.