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.
“It’s during challenging times like this that you reflect on the past and speculate about the future,” comments AFSA Vice President of Membership & Communications Liz Messner, CAE, IOM. “Without a doubt, it’s our members celebrating milestone anniversaries for which AFSA is extremely grateful! It’s your commitment and investment in AFSA and our industry that have made the difference for so many businesses. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries in May and June. Sprinkler Age asked those members some questions about their time in the fire sprinkler industry. Bill Gray, owner of Foothill Fire Protection, Inc., Loomis, California, shared some of his favorite AFSA memories and things he’s learned.
How did you get involved in the fire sprinkler industry?
“I was fortunate to start with my wife’s uncle in 1984. He had a plumbing company and wanted to get into the fire sprinkler business. I was his first fire sprinkler employee. I worked my way up from the fab shop through the field and into the office where I learned to estimate, design, and manage the field. I was lucky to have a great mentor.”
How did you get involved with AFSA?
“In 1987, I was enrolled in an AFSA fire sprinkler design school held in Pleasanton, California, through a mailer. I had no information about AFSA at the time. It turned out to be the start of a great relationship.”
What is your favorite or most used AFSA benefit?
“The number one thing AFSA has given me is the networking with other contractors and suppliers throughout the U.S./North America. I have gained my code knowledge and education by attending the convention and seminars since 1987.”
What is your favorite AFSA or AFSA convention memory?
“My favorite convention memory is the first time I got to take my kids, Holly and Dillon, to their first convention. They truly enjoyed it, and it gave them exposure to the exhibitors and contractors I have been blessed to work with throughout my career.”
What is the most significant change you’ve seen in the industry?
“When I first got into this field, we where only protecting 14,000-ft2 building and larger, no residential. Now, with the installation of fire sprinklers in almost every building, you can build bigger buildings with less fire ratings. We are in California where all homes are required to have residential sprinklers. What a ride. There is so much more we can do; let’s keep doing a great job and our industry will keep developing. The success of our industry over the last 30 years shows in the construction of buildings today. Area limitations and building designs are expanded using fire sprinklers.”
What’s the key ingredient to your success?
“I attribute all my success to the team around me. My wife, Carrie, has been there every step of the way and is currently our CFO. I have always believed in getting up early and getting a jump on the world.”
If I weren’t working in fire protection, I would be…
“I would still be in construction. I love the building industry as a whole.”
Membership Has Its Benefits
Being a member of AFSA has many benefits including technical resources, education, training, and industry promotion. Members have access to AFSA’s technical services staff, informal interpretations, and technical e-newsletters. They receive updates on the latest changes to industry codes, standards, and practices through a variety of options. Correspondence courses, live and on-demand webinars; and online training are offered on a wide variety of topics at member discounts—and sometimes for free as in AFSA’s recent live webinar series. AFSA Chapter participation provides networking and increases awareness of developments in your region and representation in state and local legislatures for positive fire safety requirements. AFSA members receive a discount on all products and services including technical reference products, seminars, training courses, and convention registration. To read more details about the benefits of membership and to join online, visit www.firesprinkler.org/membership.
Happy Anniversary!
AFSA appreciates all of its members and thanks them for their continued support—contractors, manufacturers suppliers, designers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)—all help to make this association and the fire protection industry great. AFSA looks forward to celebrating with more members throughout the year! Recognition in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year anniversary increments and is available to all membership types. Congratulations to these members!
AFSA Milestone Membership Anniversaries
July–August 2020
30-Year Anniversary
Contractor Members
Aero Automatic Sprinkler, Phoenix, AZ
Cogswell Sprinkler Co., Inc., Worcester, MA
25-Year Anniversary
Contractor Members
Allstar Fire Protection, Inc., Madison, TN
Lewis Fire Protection, Inc., Villa Rica, GA
Lund Pearson McLaughlin Fire Protection Systems, Mountain View, CA
United Piping, Inc., Jackson, MS
20-Year Anniversary
Contractor Members
Alpha Sprinkler Corporation, Stoneham, MA
Foothill Fire Protection, Inc., Loomis, CA
Associate Members
Uponor-USA, Apple Valley, MN
15-Year Anniversary
Contractor Members
Dorn Fire Protection, Cincinnati, OH
H20 Fire Protection, Inc., Commerce City, CO
Platte Valley Fire Protection, Inc., Wellington, CO
Titan Fire Systems, LLC, Merritt Island, FL
Wolfe Fire Protection, Monroe, WA
Associate Members
SPP Pumps, Inc., Norcross, GA
