Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Directors Added to Better Represent Growing Membership
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) held its 2024-2025 officer elections during the September 2024 Board meeting. Linda M. Biernacki, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, La., was re-elected as Chair of the Board. Paul DeLorie, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., Londonderry, N.H., was re-elected First Vice Chair; and Jay Strickland, Strickland Fire Protection, Forestville, Md., was re-elected Second Vice Chair. Jeff Phifer, Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, Lugoff, S.C., was re-elected Secretary; and Rod DiBona, Pye-Barker Fire and Safety, Rapid City, S.D., was re-elected Treasurer.
Biernacki, DiBona, and Strickland were all re-elected for another three-year term. Newly elected to the Board were Hunter Brendle, Brendle Sprinkler Co., Inc., Montgomery, Ala. and Mindy Buckley, Allsouth Sprinkler Co., Buford, Ga.
biernacki RE-elected Chair
Serving as Chair of the Board and Region 5 Director, Linda M. Biernacki is the founder/president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., with three offices—its main location in Shreveport, La., and branch offices in Monroe, La., and Oxford, Miss.—is an AFSA Quality Contractor, ISNetworld Certified, and is licensed in six states (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas). With over 34 years of experience, Biernacki provides industry experience, knowledge, and background. She is past chair and current member 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), and is past AFSA40 Convention Committee and Membership & Chapter Development Chair. She represents AFSA on the NFPA 232 Committee for Protection of Records. 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. She is a member of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians (ASCET), Louisiana Automatic Fire Alarm Association (LAFAA), and Louisiana Associated General Contractors (LAGC).
“What a year!” states Biernacki. “In the Board of Directors’ article in the Nov/Dec 2023 issue of Sprinkler Age, I mentioned that the Board and I would allow the mission and vision statement of AFSA guide us. There were key goals/initiatives that would be our focus: Training and Education, Recruiting the Next Generation, and Build Strong Relationships with Industry Partners. I am elated to say that many goals are being accomplished.”
“As Bob mentioned in his column, two great things are happening. We are moving forward with the Spanish translation of the Sprinkler Fitter Apprenticeship books with my gratitude to CAFSA for the generous donation that made this possible, and we are expanding the use of our training materials in Latin American and domestic Spanish-speaking markets. Excelente logro, Ole!” These additions will reinforce AFSA as the training and education hub for our industry.”
Biernacki continues, “We continue to focus on training and education regarding our industry for the next generation. A key component to that is reaching the youth of today, making them the lifesaver for tomorrow. To do this, we must strengthen our ability to engage ourselves in the alternative education system for career choice options, and within the elementary level to create awareness of our industry. We need to engage all ages in the fire sprinkler industry. AFSA is creating tools to begin working with alternative schools, counselors, school boards, and non-profits to recruit for our industry as a career path. It is our goal to share the passion we have with those who are best served working with their hands and becoming a lifesaver.”
Biernacki notes that another tool in the AFSA toolbox to make this happen is its NextGen group. “I mentioned in my article the value of this group and we should utilize its members to its utmost value. We must strengthen our NextGen committees at chapter levels to promote AFSA programs. The national NextGen Committee will be a key tool for the success of growing our industry training and recruitment initiatives.”
As Chair of the Board, Biernacki leads the AFSA Board of Directors, which is now comprised of 10 Regional Directors (one for each of the 10 membership regions), At-Large Directors, and the Immediate Past Chair. The Board has a wide array of expertise, experience, and education that provides strong support to both the Chair and the association as a whole. (See the related article on page 36 of this issue.)
“To better serve our members and chapters, we have reorganized AFSA’s regional map to add Directors to increase local support. There are now 10 Regional Directors and four At-Large Directors. We are at your service,” comments Biernacki. “Our purpose in expanding the regions to 10 is to have Board of Directors reach out and touch you, our chapters. It’s important for us to hear all the exciting projects you are working on; the more we know the more we can help.”
REgional Directors
Region 1 Director Brooks Bayne is co-owner and vice president of operations at AFP Systems, Inc. in Tualatin, Ore. He started in the fabrication shop working for his uncle, AFP Systems founder Jim Bayne, after graduating from McQueen High School. After earning his journeyman license through the AFSA apprenticeship program, Bayne worked in the field as a foreman before becoming superintendent in 2007.
Bayne was inspired to go further in the industry, learning sprinkler system design, estimating, and project management. In 2017, he stepped into the roles of co-owner and vice president of operations after working 20 years alongside his uncle. AFP Systems has been an AFSA Contractor member since 2012. The company has provided service throughout the Pacific Northwest for over 36 years and is a proud member of ABC’s Pacific Northwest Chapter and ABC Inland Pacific Chapter, Inc.
Region 2 Director Wayne Weisz started his career in the fire sprinkler industry in 1979. He started as an apprentice and quickly worked his way through the ranks as a foreman and then general superintendent with American Fire Systems in Lodi, Calif. In 1986, Weisz, along with his brother Byron, founded Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., also in Lodi. In 1997, the brothers established D-M Fabrication, which ran as an independent pipe fabrication facility supplying fire sprinkler piping throughout the western United States. Cen-Cal Fire became a member of AFSA in 1987. In 2021, Cen-Cal Fire Systems became a part of the Sciens family of companies.
Weisz became a member of the AFSA Board of Directors in 2005. He has chaired multiple AFSA national committees over the years and in 2017-2018 served as AFSA Chair of the Board. In 2018, he was appointed by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office to serve on the State Automatic Extinguishing Systems Advisory Committee. Weisz is active in California apprenticeship issues and sat on the CAFSA apprenticeship board of directors for over 21 years. He is a founding member of and active in the AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter.
Region 3 Director is Don Kaufman, president of Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, N.M. With over 49 years in the sprinkler business, Kaufman was instrumental in starting AFSA’s New Mexico Chapter and is a past president of the chapter. On the national level, Kaufman served as the Chair of the Board and has chaired several committees. He also served as chair of the New Mexico State Board for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, three terms as chair of the New Mexico State Apprentice Council, and served on the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission. He is an active member of ABC, past president of ABC’s New Mexico Chapter, member of the American Society of Professional Estimators, and past charter president of Albuquerque Rotary Del Sol.
Region 4 Director and Treasurer Rod DiBona is the executive vice president for Pye-Barker Fire and Safety, with branches throughout the United States. He lives in Rapid City, S.D. DiBona entered the fire protection industry in 1990 and started in the AFSA apprenticeship program in 1991. In October of 1993, he was asked by Marty Hammon to join him, his son, and his son-in-law to create Rapid Fire Protection. In 1995, DiBona was a Top 7 finalist in the AFSA National Apprentice Competition. In July of 2021, Rapid Fire joined the Pye-Barker Fire and Safety family. DiBona is a NICET Level III Certified Engineering Technician in Water-Based Systems Layout.
Jay Strickland serves as Region 6 Director. He is the president of Strickland Fire Protection, and partnered with Pye-Barker and Rapid Fire Group in 2021. Strickland Fire Protection is in Forestville, Md., and was established in 1983. Strickland has been involved in the fire protection industry for 41 years. He is certified in NICET Level II, Fire Protection, Water-Based System Layout. He is a past chair of the AFSA Chesapeake Bay Chapter. He also serves on the board of Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation. The organization’s mission is to secure and steward private funds to enhance the educational endeavors of the college. This includes creating a new pathway to earn a college degree that many skilled craftsmen and women may have never considered as an option. A new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program at AACC will enable students who have completed apprenticeship programs to earn credits for their hard work. This will include pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The degree will be part of the school programming to ensure that students have the resources to pursue lifelong careers and that local businesses have a pipeline of employees ready for roles from entry-level through upper management.
Region 7 Director Chris Johnson is president and co-founder of Piper Fire Protection, a Fortis Brand in Clearwater, Fla. He has led Piper since 2002. Johnson is a NICET-certified fire protection Engineering Technician, holding a level III certification in fire sprinkler design. He has served AFSA’s Florida Chapter since 2011 as Education and Legislative Committee chair as well as vice chair, chair, and immediate past chair of the chapter. Johnson has served on the board of ABC for the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter since 2015, and is a past chapter chair. He has also served on the ABC Florida State board as well as the ABC National board. Johnson was elected and sworn into office as Largo City Commissioner in November 2022. His mission is to utilize his time, treasure, and talents to advocate for the fire sprinkler industry throughout Florida. He holds a Florida Fire Protection Contractor I License and Fire Equipment Dealers’ Licenses Class A and D. Chris is our AFSA National Committee Chair of the Legislative Committee.
Region 8 Director and Secretary of the Board Jeff Phifer is president and CEO of Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, based in Lugoff, S.C., one of the oldest family-owned and continuously operated fire sprinkler contractors in the nation. Crawford celebrated its 100th year in 2020. Phifer has been at Crawford for 45 years, working as a fitter, service technician, and in administration. In 1999, he became the third generation to be president and chairman of the board at Crawford Sprinkler Company.
Region 9 Director Tommy Clements is the president and CEO of VSC Fire & Security based in Richmond, Va. He joined the company in 2017 following VSC’s acquisition of Arkansas Automatic Sprinklers/United Fire Suppression, where he had served as the CEO since leading a sponsor-backed acquisition in 2009. Following Markel’s acquisition of VSC, Clements relocated to Richmond to assume the role of COO and was promoted to president in 2022. He took on the additional role of CEO in 2023.
Clements is a former Nuclear Submarine Officer for the US Navy, having served onboard the USS Alabama ballistic missile submarine and in Navy Recruiting as head of enlisted recruiting in the Southeast United States. After his military service, Clements worked as a program manager on satellite defense and space shuttle programs before entering the construction industry as a development consultant to owners of casinos, resort hotels, and residential properties. Clements has a degree in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University and an MBA from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University.
Region 10 Director and Second Vice Chair of the Board Paul DeLorie is senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, N.H. Hampshire Fire Protection is one of the largest merit shop fire sprinkler companies in New England. DeLorie is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and has over 39 years of experience in sprinkler design, estimating, sales, project management, and senior management.
Serving as Ex-Officio (non-voting) members of the Board:
• Dwight E. Bateman, Southeast Fire Protection, L.P. , Houston, Texas;
• Don Becker, AFSA Life Member, Dallas Center, Iowa;
• Bob Rees, API, High Point, N.C.;
• Manning Strickland, Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., Forestville, Md.;
• Willie Templin, American Automatic Sprinkler, Fort Worth, Texas;
• Larry Thibodeau, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., LLC, Londonderry, N.H.;
• Jack Viola, JFV Engineering, LLC, South Hadley, Mass.; and
• Ted Wills, Anchor Fire Protection/Sciens Building Solutions, Perkiomenville, Pa.
At-Large DIRECTORs
The Board has retained four At-Large Director positions, held by Jack A. Medovich, P.E., Mike Meehan, and newly elected Directors Hunter Brendle and Mindy Buckley.
At-Large Director and Immediate Past Chair Jack A. Medovich, P.E., is with Summit Companies out of Mendota Heights, Minn. A 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Fire Protection Engineering, Medovich served three years as fire marshal of Fairfax County, Virginia, before joining the fire sprinkler industry 38 years ago. He has been active in AFSA since 1991, is a past chair of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter, and served the Virginia Chapter as chair and as a member of the board of directors for many years. He represents AFSA on the Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Systems, encompassing NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 24, and 291. In the past, he has served as a member of the following NFPA committees: NFPA 14, 20, 25, 101, 750, and 5000.
At-Large Director Michael F. Meehan is chairman of VSC Fire & Security, headquartered in Richmond, Va. A 1981 graduate from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Meehan began his fire sprinkler career working summers as a pipefitter apprentice. He is a NICET Level IV Certified Engineering Technician in Water-Based Systems Layout and has more than 45 years of experience in sprinkler design engineering, estimating, project management, and senior management. Meehan is a past AFSA Chair of the Board and represents installing contractors and AFSA on the NFPA 13 committee.
NEW DIRECTORs ELECTED
AFSA members have elected Hunter Brendle, president of Brendle Sprinkler Company, Inc., based in Montgomery, Ala., as a new At-Large Director for the association. Brendle Sprinkler was founded in 1960 by Hunter’s grandfather and uncle and was then led for over 40 years by Hunter’s father F.C. (Kit) Brendle, Jr. Hunter began working in the shop as a teenager, to working in the field as a helper and apprentice, to later transitioning into the office. Brendle strives to protect the company’s legacy and reputation and is a proud third-generation in fire protection.
“When I was asked if I was willing to serve on the Board, I was at a loss for words. I was so humbled and grateful that not only our company’s history and legacy would be recognized, but my family and our employees were recognized as well,” comments Brendle. “Being elected as an AFSA Board Member is a huge honor and privilege and I can’t wait to serve this incredible industry. I love being part of an organization that’s mission is to educate the industry and to help save lives and property.”
Brendle is past president and current board member of the Alabama Fire Sprinkler Association, board member for the Tony Bice Memorial Golf Tournament, which has raised over a million dollars for Alabama burn care facilities and serves on AFSA’s National Convention, Membership, NextGen, and Public Education & Awareness committees. He holds a NICET Level III in Water-Based Systems Layout, Florida Fire Protection Contractor II, and is a graduate of AFSA’s Apprenticeship Training Series.
Members have also elected Mindy Buckley, CFO and co-owner at Allsouth Sprinkler Company, Burford, Ga., as an At-Large Director. Her passion for the fire sprinkler industry began at a very young age, inspired by the involvement and dedication of her father, uncle, and grandfather. With over 18 years of professional experience, Buckley has developed a comprehensive understanding of fire sprinkler systems and their importance. Buckley’s education is in business administration and accounting. She began interning at Allsouth Sprinkler Company in 2005 and took on various roles over the years, gradually gaining more responsibilities and expertise until she became CFO and co-owner.
“I am excited and honored to join the Board of Directors,” comments Buckley. “Fire safety and education is something I’m deeply passionate about and I’m eager to contribute. As a new Director, I hope to bring fresh ideas, strengthen our membership, and continue advancing education through our training programs. I look forward to working with this incredible team to make an even greater impact on our industry and communities.”
Buckley has been active with the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association since 2016 and currently serves as treasurer on its board of directors. She is also a member of AFSA’s Next Generation workgroup, Public Education & Awareness committee, and Membership & Chapter Development committee. Buckley regularly participates in industry conferences and seminars. She also works closely with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire Public Education Department to educate children on fire prevention.
Retiring Director HonoreD
Region 1 Director Lyle Hall is retiring from the Board this year. He is president and co-owner of Western Fire Protection in Poway, Calif., has been in the fire sprinkler industry for 45 years, with the last 29 years at Western Fire. Prior to that, he was a helicopter-based wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He has a degree in fire science with continuing education at the University of California San Diego.
Hall was recognized by AFSA Chair Linda Biernacki during the AFSA43 General Session. “Over many years of friendship with Lyle, I can say being the one to present this very deserving recognition to him meant the world to me. It is an honor to call him a friend and mentor,” says Biernacki. “Lyle has been an advocate for the fire sprinkler industry with his incredible knowledge and input with the apprenticeship competition. His apprentices have been in the top seven multiple times at the apprenticeship competitions, and I thank him for his dedication. Lyle and Birdy have both been great supporters of the Board and our association. Thank you for your service to AFSA.”
Hall started in the fire sprinkler industry as an apprentice pipefitter and worked his way into design, project management, sales, and eventually, management. His past accomplishments include serving as a past director on the San Diego Fire Protection Association board; past chair of the San Diego Chapter of the AFSA; past chair of the California American Fire Sprinkler Association—Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee; and past chair of the California Fire Training Alliance. Hall currently serves on the California American Fire Sprinkler Association—Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee and was the Chair of AFSA’s Apprenticeship & Education Subcommittee to develop its ITM program. He also serves on the board of directors for AFSA’s San Diego Chapter.
“I have known Lyle for more than 45 years… we were fitters and designers in the same office, literally! We were young once if anyone could believe that!” says AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS. “Sadly, Lyle has decided that his contributions as a member of AFSA’s Board of Directors have run their course, and it’s time to pass the baton. Lyle is one of the most supportive people I know, and he’s been a positive influence and industry friend for many years. His impact on the AFSA nationally and his contribution of time and support of the San Diego Chapter and CAFSA have been generous and beneficial to our industry. While I am sad to see Lyle rotate off the Board, we know his decision is selfless and made in the best interest of this association, and I look forward to his continued involvement in our committees.”
Call Upon the Board
AFSA’s Board of Directors is strongly committed to the continuance of the merit shop philosophy, the promotion of property and life safety through the use of automatic fire protection, and the continued development of training for fire sprinkler fitters, layout technicians, inspectors, and management.
AFSA members are encouraged to ask questions or voice suggestions with any Board member or staff. If you have a question or comment, please see the list of Board members and key staff on page 6 of every issue of Sprinkler Age or visit the Board of Directors’ webpage on the AFSA website at www.firesprinkler.org/board-of-directors/ or the staff webpage at www.firesprinkler.org/afsa-staff/.
