Management

I write this message on the Fourth of July weekend and contemplate leadership. When our association was founded in 1981 we did so as a group of open shop contractors whose business needs and demands were not being addressed. Our founders felt compelled to figure out a way to give open shop …

Despite widely varying projections for growth of the economy and the dramatic ups and downs in the stock market, 2015 became the year we could say “we’re back” from the Great Recession. We are seeing much greater optimism among contractors and suppliers. AFSA’s year-end numbers for 2015 confirm that the trend starting in 2013 has …

The Business of Subcontractors When it comes down to it, the primary business of subcontractors is service. Subcontractors are retained to provide services and products to prime contractors, owners or other subcontractors. In the monopsonistic (i.e., one buyer, many sellers) environment of the construction industry, companies hiring subcontractors can afford …

Balancing Ownership and Management Responsibilities Many business founders dream of the day that the next generation will join them in the business. While entry of the next generation can be a very exciting time, it also presents challenges. One of the many decisions the family must make at this point …

  Initiative. What a great word for any professional to embrace, particularly in the fire and life safety industry. By definition, initiative is the ability to assess and initiate things independently. In the nonprofit association world, where voluntary leaders make decisions on behalf of members, providing worthwhile programming for companies …

As the years fly by and we go about the course of running our association, we are guided along with a seasoned and strong staff that is growing and changing with the times. The guidance and assistance they give to the Board of Directors is top flight, their morale is …

Henry S. Parmelee Award Call for Nominations The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is accepting nominations for the prestigious Henry S. Parmelee award. The award will be presented during AFSA’s 35th Convention & Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee, and the recipient will be featured in the 2016 convention issue of Sprinkler …

Despite widely varying projections for growth of the economy and the dramatic ups and downs in the stock market, 2015 became the year we could say “we’re back” from the Great Recession. We are seeing much greater optimism among contractors and suppliers. The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) year-end numbers …

Of all the roles the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has, one of the least appreciated is our role in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards process. The process that NFPA uses is designed to be very egalitarian and to give all the stakeholders in the fire protection community …

Committee Spotlight: Apprenticeship & Education Committee When fire sprinkler professionals are looking for the best in education and apprenticeship training, they will find it with the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). A great deal of planning, development and administration goes into training the finest fire sprinkler specialists in the country. Behind …