Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Celebrate good times, we did! The AFSA43 convention was a Mile-High Success! Once again, we broke our record for attendance with nearly 1,500. I must say that this is due to you, our amazing membership, and the engaging relationship with AFSA. Thank you all for coming, and I hope that you got your money’s worth. I sure did!
The convention’s Opening Party, sponsored by NextGen, was a huge hit. Everyone enjoyed a variety of delicious foods— three kinds of chili, including bison, carved elk sausage, empanadas, BBQ burnt ends, shrimp and grits, and a dessert buffet! A great band, Darling Revival, and many outdoor activities like the rock-climbing wall were very popular. My own executive assistant, Ellen Ballard, almost made it to the top. Thank you to the NextGen Chair, Katie Meehan, and her energetic committee for a great event.
I want to share a few of my highlights from the convention. My first, of course, is the Women in the Industry panel. How amazing to have a packed room for that seminar. Over 100 attendees came to hear Taylor Johnson, Lainey Liotta, Katie Meehan, and me tell our stories about working in the fire sprinkler industry. A huge thank you to the ladies on the panel and our moderator, Rhonda Gudger. I think there will be another Women in the Industry panel for 2025.
As always, the apprentice competition is a core part of the convention, and I enjoy watching the apprentices vie for the win. All seven should be very proud of their performance and the skills they showed to make it to the national competition. Congratulations to Dylan Whitaker with Summit Fire & Security for becoming the 31st National Apprentice Competition champion.
The General Session was one for books. I definitely needed Kleenex, and I heard many others did, too. The amazing race was also filled with some very raw emotions that made me feel even more connected to my fellow AFSA members. Brett and the Heinrich family made Joe proud. It was such an honor to have Kathy, Brett, Andrea, and their family accept the award and listen to Brett talk about his father and friend. Thank you, Brett, for sharing your thoughts and memories of Joe with us and representing the Heinrich family.
The convention is not possible without a lot of support and hard work. THANK YOU to our SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, SEMINAR PRESENTERS, REGISTRANTS, STAFF, and everyone in between. It’s another win!
At the conclusion of the convention, two new Directors for AFSA’s Board were sworn in—Hunter Brendle, Brendle Sprinkler Co., and Mindy Buckley, Allsouth Sprinkler Co. I am excited to welcome these NextGeners to the Board. We are all looking forward to a productive 2025.
For next year, we will strive to strengthen the initiatives the Board began in 2024. One being our goal to add more awareness in high school career centers about career opportunities in the fire sprinkler industry as well as develop educational materials for our elementary-school level. The success of our industry is dependent on this outreach.
We will also provide more resources and mentorship to our NextGen initiative. We have amazing, up-and-coming young professionals in our industry. I want to encourage all 30 AFSA chapters to strengthen and expand their NextGen Committees.
Remember, the AFSA Board and staff are always here to assist/support you. Wishing you all a safe, happy, healthy, and blessed holiday season.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Serving as Chair of the Board and Region 4 Director, Linda M. Biernacki is the founder/president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana. Fire Tech Systems is an AFSA Quality Contractor, ISNetworld Certified, licensed in six states (Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas). With over 33 years of experience, Biernacki provides industry experience, knowledge, and background. She is past chair of the NICET board of governors (June 2022-June 2023), past board member and current member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) board of directors, past president and current board member of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association (LFSA), represents AFSA on the NFPA 232 Committee for Protection of Records and is past AFSA40 Convention Committee and Membership & Chapter Development Chair. Biernacki is certified in NICET Level III Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water-Based Systems Layout and is certified by the Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast.
