April 4th, 2023 Chapter Minutes

The AFSA Members Meeting at the Sheraton at Four Points in Richmond VA was called to order by AFSA VA Chapter President Bob Beckwith at 1:00pm

AFSA members and guests present included:

Bob Beckwith – Cavalier Sprinkler

Hooper Loscomb—Eagle Fire

Tom Klecka – ACI

Craig Smith – Ferguson Fire

Jeff Lewis – VSC

Steve McGee – ACI

Chris Amorese – JCI

Dennis Wech – JCI

Jack Medovich – Summit

Lauren Milliman – Ferguson

Anthony McDaniel – ACI

Jason Gill – Crews & Gregory Fire

Mark Wagner – Viking

Bruce Allen – Hajoca

Chris Pickford – Victualic

Roger Chesley – Checkmark

John Denhardt– AFSA National

Anthony Shultz – Eagle

Steve Tajer – ASC

Joe Saffer – America

Chad Waldridge – Core & Main

Eric Pegram – Moseley Arch

Joe Amberger – Cavalier

Jack Coffeit – Service Trade

Nick Armbrister – BFPE

Glen MacKenzie – BFPE

Mike Beatty Jr. – BFPE

Bob Wagner – ASC

Dennis Wech – JCI

Pat Sigmon – eTec

Chris Lindsey – eTec

Mike Hayes – eTec

Josh Shaprio – Reliable

Danielle Fowler – Potter Electric

Terry Laffey – Viking

Krista Grimes – Viking

Louie Perkins – Summit

Asa Baskin – Summit

Ed Rhodes – Rhodes Consulting

Mike Meehan – VSC

William Akers – Akers Fire

Jacob Akers- Akers Fire

Katie Meehan – VSC

Todd Fain – Mid-Atlantic

Chris Stone – ACI

Introductions:

Bob Beckwith, President, welcomed members and guests. And ask everyone to introduce themselves. Bob introduces Mike Meehan w/ VSC and Ed Rhodes w/ Rhodes Consulting as our speakers.

Treasurer’s report:

Craig Smith, Treasurer, reported that the AFSA Checking account held $25,896.69 and the AFSA Janney investment account held $55,888.36.

Committee Reports:

  • Legislative:

Hooper reported that the Board of Contractors met March 14th, they change some language for the tradesmen to require regulations, none of which affects our sprinkler industry. There seems to be a push to unionize several trades although not affecting sprinkler for now, with concerns of future interference.

A Bill was approved January 1st,  that enacted Pay when Paid. Contractors need to be made aware of the requirement.

Spoke w/ Marjory King, new Executive Director of Board of Contractors, the new NFPA testing program, which is the equal to NICET for VA licensing, has not been approved which contradict pass meetings. Robby Dawson w/ NFPA was unaware it was not approved as well. Hooper to follow up with NFPA to get a clarification of their status.

Take caution when submitting your work history for NICET. NICET is taking a hard stance when reviewing this information.

  • Membership:

Thank you to Eric Pegram w/Mosley Architect’s, Nick Armbrister w/ BFPE, and Lucas Lett and Clyde Cumming’s w/ W Virginia Fire Marshal for becoming our newest VA Chapter members.

  • Program:

This year’s seminar is scheduled for September 21st at the Chesterfield Training Facility. There will be three scheduled topics: High Pile Storage, Water Storage Tanks, and ITM Testing and maintaining backflow preventers. John Denhardt will be the guest speaker for all three events. Registrations will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.

  • Public Relations:

Hooper reported the following two Sprinkler Saves:

  • Chesapeake, VA – Chesapeake firefighters say a malfunctioning air conditioning unit is to blame for a hotel fire on Wednesday night. The fire was reported just after 7:30 p.m. at the Comfort Suites on Crossways Boulevard in the Greenbrier section of the city. A second alarm was called as crews battled the smoke and flames coming from a second-floor window. Firefighters were able to keep the fire itself to its room of origin, although six rooms total were damaged by either fire, smoke, or water. The hotel was evacuated, and no one was hurt.  The Chesapeake Fire Department said the hotel is working to find any displaced tenants a place to stay. Investigators ruled the fire accidental, saying it was sparked by a malfunctioning window AC unit.
  • Charlottesville, VA (CBS19 News) – Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers on UVA Grounds had a fire in their house on Rugby Road Thursday night. It happened around 10 p.m. Albemarle County Fire Rescue, the Charlottesville Fire Department and UVA Police arrived on scene. According to ACFR, who is leading the investigation along with university police, the fire started in the basement. People inside used extinguishers to try to put out the fire before being forced to leave the room because of smoke.  The smoke triggered the sprinkler system, something ACFR says was very important and could have saved lives. Activating that sprinkler system enabled then the opportunity to get out of the house safely.  So, everyone was able to evacuate safely.  It also reduced the fire’s destruction which gave time for the fire rescue units to get on scene, “said Abbey Stumpf, ACFR P10. ACFR says thanks to the sprinkler systems limiting the damage, displaced residents of the building will be able to move back in more quickly. The university says a small number of people were treated for smoke inhalation, but there were no other injuries.
  • Social Media:

MaryCatherine has updated the AFSA web site which has a Facebook & LinkedIn button on top of the page to directly access the AFSA VA Chapter web site accounts. She has updated the site to include Members Meeting minutes from 2021 to current , calendar, and other social events.

MaryCatherine has been working on the window display at the Regency project to advertise our industry. The Board has unanimously approved a budget of $1,500 for the materials to set up the display.

  • Education/ Apprenticeship:

Jeff Lewis reported that the Career Fair is scheduled for April 27th at the Regency Mall Facility. Several contractors have already requested space for their displays.

Several High Schools will be on a staggard scheduled due to the high volume expected. A flyer will be submitted to the members with details. Future AFSA meetings are expected to be scheduled at this location with the Culinary Class preparing lunch for everyone.

Several emails containing resumes have been distributed to our members with more forthcoming.

  • Golf:

Jack Medovich provided information for our upcoming 30th anniversary Golf Tournament which will consist of a two-day event all taking place at the same facility. The tentative schedule is as follows: Board Meeting in the morning, lunch, Member meeting in the afternoon, follow by a Wine Tasting event, closing with Casino Night (no cash). On the second day, there will be spouses’ event with a tour of Jamestown, while golf is ongoing. Registration will be distributed shortly.

  • NextGen:

Josh Shapiro, Katie Meehan, and Steve McGee to discuss having the NexGen Event during the November Holiday Social since the schedule for October is full due to the Two-Day Golf Experience.

  • Community Projects:

Jason Gill reported this monumental project is still ongoing with renovating the existing sprinkler system going full bore. With the help of several sprinkler companies such as Checkmark Services, Crews & Gregory Fire, Cavalier Fire, Atlantic Constructors, Summit, VSC, and American Fire have stepped up to this task and have done themselves as well as their companies extremely proud. Special Kudos goes out to all the vendors; Victaulic, Hajoca, Ferguson, and Reliable, that provide materials and equipment to make this project a reality. Without their contributions none of this would have been possible. The plans that were submitted with the help of the designers from VSC, Atlantic Constructors, and Crews & Gregory were approved by Henrico Co at no cost. The project completion date is scheduled for April 17th.

  • Scholarship:

Scholarship applications have been submitted with the closing date of April 30th. The winner of this scholarship will receive $1,000 for furthering their education. Contact Steve McGee if you have not received an application or know of someone that would be interested in this opportunity. Winner will be announced at our June Meetings.

Old and New Business

  • Bob Beckwith mentioned how important AFSA membership is driving AHJ free membership. Our AHJ membership is outstanding.
  • Jason Gill announces the winner of this year’s scholarship, Symone Jensen.
  • Future Board and Members meeting dates for 2023 are 6/6, 10/3, and 11/7
  • Bob Beckwith, Jason Gill, and Jeff Lewis were all unanimously voted to retain their positions on the VA Chapter Board
  • Board to discuss vendor sponsorship for future upcoming meetings.
  • At the conclusion of each members meeting a certificate will be available for anyone requiring NICET point. Please identify your need to obtain a certificate when you sign in. These will be sent via. email within the following week.
  • Bill Jones to provide an update as to the results of the BBQ Gives Back event that took place March 24 – 26
  • The AFSA 2023 National Convention will be at Hilton Bonnet Creek, Orlando, Florida, September 5th – 9th. Be on the lookout for booking information in the upcoming months.

Our 50/50 drawing was conducted at the end of our meeting with the results of Jason Gill w/ Crew & Gregory in the amount of $89.00 which he donated the entire amount to the Chapter.

Speakers:

Member Meeting had two very informative speakers which created many questions during their presentation.

  • Program: Mike Meehan w/ VSC: provided an in-depth observation going from a pipe fitter to suite C to forecasting the industry future.
  • Vendor: Ed Rhodes w/ Rhodes Consulting: explain what a lobbyist does for our Chapter

 There being no further business the Members Meeting was adjourned at 2:58pm