Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries
As the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) celebrates its 39th anniversary in 2020, we also recognize those members who are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries. The member companies featured have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership.
“Associations give their members three huge advantages: greater strength, more information, and deeper relationships. That’s why associations have existed since ancient Greece. I commend these great companies that understand the advantages of AFSA membership,” says Liz Messner, vice president of membership, marketing, and communications. “Longevity is a measure of success. Business relationships are based on trust and celebrating an AFSA anniversary demonstrates stability and worth. Congratulations to these owners and companies who make a difference in the industry through AFSA membership.”
Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries January–April including Contractor Member North East Fire Protection Systems, Inc. (NEFPSI), Ballston Spa, New York. President James (Jimmy) Fantauzzi and Vice President of Operations Stacey Fantauzzi shared some of their favorite AFSA memories and things they’ve learned within the fire protection industry. Both are active within AFSA and Stacey currently serves as chair of the association’s Legislative Committee.
How did you get involved in the fire sprinkler industry?
Jimmy: “I got a part-time job in college at Grinnell working in the fabrication shop in Albany, New York.”
Stacey: “Jimmy knew the only way to keep me out of mischief was to keep me busy. I helped to clean the offices on Saturday mornings and by age eight I could sort the cast, ductile, and malleable fittings coming back from the job sites.”
How did you get involved with AFSA?
Jimmy: “I heard about AFSA in 1984 and called Ed Smith at Holyoke Fire Protection to learn more.”
Stacey: “My involvement has been a fantastic path. As a family, Jimmy and my Mom took us kids to AFSA conventions. I attended to AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning school when I worked for Jack Viola at HFP Sprinkler. When I returned to NEFPSI in July of 2014, I met Linda Biernacki of Fire Tech Systems, Inc. at the convention in Las Vegas and she asked if I wanted to participate as a committee member.”
What is your favorite or most used AFSA benefit?
Jimmy: “NFPA participation and apprenticeship training.”
Stacey: “For me, legislative support and the Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools are invaluable.”
What is your favorite AFSA and/or AFSA convention memory?
Stacey: “We both say Hawaii! That convention in 1987 was great. Jimmy and my mom took their first extended vacation and my sister and I got to skip the first two weeks of school!”
What is the most significant change you’ve seen in AFSA or the industry during your time?
Jimmy: “The technical changes in the industry have been the most impactful. The education provided by AFSA has kept us competitive and a resource for our clients in terms of value-added engineering.”
What’s the key ingredient to your success?
Jimmy: “Perseverance—the only way is through. Life is not always easy, but it is pretty simple.”
If I weren’t working in fire protection, I would be…
Jimmy: “If I weren’t working in the fire protection industry, I would be a doctor. I was pre-med when I got my part-time job at Grinnell.”
Stacey: “If you asked me today, I would say a lobbyist for small-business concerns.”
Happy Anniversary!
AFSA looks forward to celebrating with more members! Recognition in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year anniversary increments and is available to all membership types. Congratulations to these members and AFSA looks forward to celebrating with more members throughout the year!
| AFSA Milestone Membership Anniversaries January–April 2020 35-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC North East Fire Protection Systems, Inc., Ballston Spa, NY 30-Year Anniversary Associate Members Noble Company, Spring Lake, MI 25-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Allan Automatic Sprinkler Corp., Hayward, CA Inland Fire Protection Co., Spokane, WA Merit Sprinkler Company, Inc., Kenner, LA Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, CA 20-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Chero-Key Piping Company, Houston, TX Standard Sprinkler Corp., Groton, CT 15-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Alwest Fire Protection, Roseville, CA CJ Suppression, Inc., Corona, CA Carter’s Fire Sprinkler, Lebanon, OR Fire Safety First, Santa Ana, CA Hangtown Fire Control, Inc., Placerville, CA Metro Fire Protection, Inc., Cumming, GA Presidential Fire Protection, Sacramento, CA Warren Sprinkler Company, LLC, Clifton, NJ Associate Members Easyflex, Garden Grove, CA |
