NFPA launches CEO search as Jim Pauley plans 2026 retirement
Iain Hoey
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Seven NFPA presidents later, what Pauley’s planned retirement means for leadership
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Pauley intends to retire in the summer of 2026 and that the organisation has appointed Spencer Stuart to manage the search for his successor.
NFPA said Pauley notified the Board of Directors of his plans in the summer of 2024 and that the board has since been developing the approach for the recruitment process.
The organisation confirmed that Spencer Stuart is now accepting interest in the NFPA Chief Executive Officer role, which covers overall leadership, direction and management of the association.
NFPA added that the Chief Executive Officer also chairs the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation and NFPA Global Solutions boards and serves as an ex-officio member of the NFPA Board of Directors.
Pauley comments on NFPA history and mission
Jim Pauley, President and Chief Executive Officer at the National Fire Protection Association, said: “In its nearly 130-year history, NFPA has had only seven presidents.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as one of those seven.
“I am confident that the next president will find this organization – its people and its mission – as incredible, essential, and impactful as I have.”
The NFPA is a self-funded nonprofit standards development organisation that aims to eliminate death, injury, property damage and economic loss from fire, electrical and related hazards.
The association said it advances safety by delivering expert knowledge through more than 300 codes and standards, training, certifications, research, public education and advocacy activities.
According to NFPA, widely used documents in its portfolio include NFPA 13, the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 101, along with standards that address animal housing, wildfire mitigation, firefighter health and safety and preparedness, response and recovery strategies for active shooter events.
The organisation noted that it has also launched a campaign to raise awareness of how safety codes and standards help protect people and property at home, at work and in public venues.
NFPA stated that Pauley’s tenure has focused on growth across four pillars described as being more digital, more global, more connected and more diversified.
LinkedIn post outlines timeline and transition plans
Pauley added on LinkedIn: “For all my friends and colleagues, I wanted to share some news with you.
“In the summer of 2024, I informed the NFPA Board of Directors of my desire to retire from NFPA in the summer of 2026.
“Since that time, the board has been actively discussing the process they want to use to find my successor.
“Through that thoughtful process the board has decided to pursue a national search and has now retained Spencer Stuart to assist with the search process.
“I began my journey with NFPA back in the early 1990’s as a member and technical committee member and being selected to lead the organization in 2014 has been an incredible culmination of a career focused on safety.
“We have accomplished much in that time and have much more to accomplish to help save lives and protect property across the world.
“So, this isn’t goodbye just yet.
“We have a very busy 2026 at NFPA both in our mission and in our preparation for a smooth transition to a new leader.”
NFPA said the full position description is available and that application materials or candidate referrals should be sent by email to [email protected].
How the NFPA succession plan relates to practice
Fire and rescue chiefs who work with National Fire Protection Association codes and standards may want to track how the Chief Executive Officer transition is structured and timed.
Standards and certification bodies that reference NFPA 13, the National Electrical Code and NFPA 101 can monitor whether any future revisions are framed within the association’s four strategic pillars of being more digital, more global, more connected and more diversified.
Training officers, electrical contractors, fire engineers and system installers who design, specify or maintain systems to NFPA documents may look for continuity in guidance, education and supporting material while the search progresses.
Facility managers and risk assessors operating in areas covered by NFPA publications, including wildfire mitigation, animal housing, firefighter health and safety and active shooter preparedness, may also consider how the leadership handover is managed when reviewing their own use of these documents.