Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
AFSA is changing, and change can be a good thing. Starting in January, you will notice a change in Sprinkler Age magazine. In response to the growing need for timely information to keep the industry informed and educated, Sprinkler Age is becoming more than just a printed publication. As we move forward, Sprinkler Age becomes an expanded information resource that provides timely news and information in a variety of formats: printed paper magazine, a digital magazine, an online blog, news stories on the web, social media and newsletters. Our increased efforts in digital media will require more attention from staff and Sprinkler Age magazine will now be published on a bimonthly schedule. This will allow us to provide more information in a more timely manner while using the printed and digital magazine to concentrate on more in-depth articles. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need using the most appropriate and timely format.
As many of you are aware, Janet Knowles, formerly AFSA’s executive vice president, vice president of communications and marketing and publisher of Sprinkler Age retired on September 15. Janet was an integral part of AFSA for 27 years and guided our communications department through incredible change from printed magazines and newsletters to digital publications. I could write a whole column on her contributions over the years, but that would require far more space than I am allowed. Suffice it to say, AFSA would not have achieved our level of excellence without the hard work and dedication of Janet Knowles – a fact recognized by both the AFSA leadership and staff. To say she will be missed is an understatement.
Janet Knowles’ contributions will live on, however, through the training and development of an extraordinary staff that worked with her. Nicole Duvall has been with AFSA for 10 years and now assumes the job of director of communications. Nicole brings a new perspective to our communications and her experience allows her to build on what we have done as we move into the future.
Knowing that she would be retiring in September, Janet relinquished her position as executive vice president to concentrate on her communications responsibilities.
As some of you know, I will be retiring at the end of 2016 – 12 months away. During the next 12 months I will be working with Frank and other AFSA staff to assure an orderly transition for the future. Change can be a good thing – but all AFSA members should be assured that some things will not change. The commitment to members that is shared by AFSA Board and staff will not change. AFSA members are more than entities that pay annual dues. AFSA members are the reason for our existence and the reason we come to work each day. Keeping that in mind, the future of AFSA looks brighter than ever!
Steve A. Muncy, CAE, is president of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) based in Dallas, Texas. He joined the AFSA staff in 1988 and served as Executive Vice President for three years before being named President in January 1992. As President, Muncy is the spokesperson for AFSA and, in turn, for the merit shop fire sprinkler industry. He is in charge of the administration and management of the national headquarters of AFSA as well as heading external relations with other industry associations and internal relations with chapters and state associations. Muncy serves on the Board of Directors of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition and the National Advisory Committee of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and is a member and Past President of the Dallas/Fort Worth Association Executives. He is a past board member of the Texas Society of Association Executives. In 1992, he earned a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and is one of only 2,500 worldwide to hold this certification. Muncy is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
