AFSA names regional directors and officers for 2025–26 leadership term

AFSA confirms 2025–26 board officers

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has confirmed its 2025–26 board of directors and officer appointments following elections held at the board’s October 2025 meeting in the US.

AFSA reported that Paul DeLorie of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, New Hampshire, has been elected chair.

Jay Strickland of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety in Forestville, Maryland, has been elected first vice chair.

Chris Johnson, president and co-founder of Piper Fire Protection, a Fortis Brand in Clearwater, Florida, has been elected second vice chair.

AFSA stated that Jeff Phifer of Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, in Lugoff, South Carolina, will serve as secretary.

Tommy Clements, president and Chief Executive Officer of VSC Fire & Security in Richmond, Virginia, has been elected treasurer.

DeLorie is Senior Vice President of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., which AFSA described as one of the largest merit shop fire sprinkler companies in New England.

A 1984 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, DeLorie has more than 40 years of experience in sprinkler design, estimating, sales, project management and senior management.

AFSA noted that DeLorie previously served as a board member and treasurer of the AFSA Patriot Chapter, now known as the New England Chapter.

He has also served on the Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter board, including a term as chair.

AFSA confirmed that DeLorie joined its national board in 2014 and has chaired several national committees.

He served as the board’s treasurer for four years before his election as chair.

Paul DeLorie, Senior Vice President at Hampshire Fire Protection Co. and AFSA Chair, said: “I am honored to be chair and work alongside dedicated and talented board members who have great industry experience and passion for our cause.

“Our directors make a lasting impact on our communities and the success of our members.

“They are championing fire safety and supporting our industry’s growth, innovation, education and training.

“That’s what AFSA is all about.”

AFSA board structure and regional directors

AFSA stated that DeLorie will lead a board of directors that includes regional directors, at-large directors and the immediate past chair.

The organisation said the regional structure is organised into ten areas, with each director linked to a specific part of the US and their company affiliation.

Region 1 is represented by Brooks Bayne, co-owner and Vice President of Operations at AFP Systems, based in Tualatin, Oregon.

Region 2 is represented by Wayne Weisz, President of Cen-Cal Fire Systems, based in Lodi, California.

Region 3 is represented by Don Kaufman, President of Kaufman Fire Protection, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Region 4 is currently vacant.

Region 5 is represented by Linda M. Biernacki, founder and President of Fire Tech Systems, based in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Region 6 is represented by Jay Strickland, Vice President of Business Development at Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, based in Forestville, Maryland.

Region 7 is represented by Chris Johnson, President and co-founder of Piper Fire Protection, a Fortis Brand, based in Clearwater, Florida.

Region 8 is represented by Jeff Phifer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, based in Lugoff, South Carolina.

Region 9 is represented by Tommy Clements, President and Chief Executive Officer of VSC Fire & Security, based in Richmond, Virginia.

Region 10 is represented by Paul DeLorie, Senior Vice President of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

At-large, ex-officio and retiring AFSA directors

AFSA reported that several individuals will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the board.

These non-voting members are Dwight E. Bateman of VSC Fire & Security in Houston, Don Becker, AFSA Life Member based in Dallas Center, Iowa, and Bob Rees of API in High Point, North Carolina.

They also include Manning Strickland of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, based in Forestville, Maryland, and Willie Templin of American Automatic Sprinkler, based in Fort Worth, Texas.

The list of ex-officio members continues with Larry Thibodeau of Hampshire Fire Protection Co. in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and Jack Viola of JFV Engineering in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

Ted Wills of Anchor Fire Protection/Sciens Building Solutions in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, is also an ex-officio member.

AFSA stated that the at-large directors are Hunter Brendle, President of Brendle Sprinkler Company, based in Montgomery, Alabama, and Mindy Buckley, Chief Financial Officer and co-owner of Allsouth Sprinkler Company, based in Buford, Georgia.

Michael F. Meehan, Chairman of VSC Fire & Security, based in Richmond, Virginia, also serves as an at-large director.

AFSA confirmed that at-large director and Immediate Past Chair Jack A. Medovich of Summit Companies, based in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, has retired from the board as of Monday 30 September 2025.

Region 4 Director Rod DiBona, Executive Vice President at Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, has also retired from the board as of the same date.