June 3rd, 2025 Chapter Minutes

Minutes of Members Meeting #172                         June 3, 2025

The AFSA Members Meeting at the Old Dominion Raceway, Thornburg, VA was called to order by AFSA VA Chapter President Bob Beckwith at 10:00am

AFSA members and guests present included:

Bob Beckwith – Cavalier Sprinkler

Tom Klecka – ACI

Craig Smith – Ferguson Fire

Steve McGee – ACI

Chris Amorese – JCI

Adam DaSilva – Hajoca

Hooper Loscomb – Eagle

MaryCatherine Coyle – Eagle

Shawn Walls – Hajoca

Jason Gill – CG Fire

Louie Perkins – Summit

Bruce Allen – Hajoca

Rudy Jones – Hajoca

Joe Saffer – AASC

Anthony Mizak – Reliable

Chris Born – Clark Nexsen

Taylor Pace – Standpipe Flow Test

Jeff Lewis – VSC

Danielle Fowler – Potter Electric

Anthony McDaniels – ACI

Tyler Wells – Ferguson

Mike Meehan – VSC

Dominique Rose – VSC

Katie Meehan – VSC

Gray Gill – Guest

Anthony Schultz – Eagle

Jon McLawhorn – ACI

Riley Powers – Pro Fire

Jason Higgins – Pro Fire

Introduction:

Bob Beckwith opened the meeting by welcoming the board members. Bob asked everyone to introduce themselves. Bob introduced the speakers for today’s meetings, Jason Gill w/Crews & Gregory and for the vendor presentation Danielle Fowler w/Potter Electric, Anthony Mizak w/Reliable, and Shawn Walls w/Hajoca.

Treasurer’s report:

Craig Smith, Treasurer, reported as of 5.31.25 the AFSA Checking account held $35,757.51 and the AFSA Janney investment account held $74,075.34

Committee Report

  • Legislative:

Hooper reported the following:

Hooper attended the Board of Contractors meeting. The department of Housing and Community Development sent out a notice of a building code emergency regulation for NFPA-13R. They amended the 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R which now says that automatic sprinkler system use group R shall be permitted to be installed throughout accordance with NFPA 13R use group R1which shall meet specific conditions.

  • Membership:

Bob reported the following:

No new members since our last meeting. In our Board meeting we discuss updating our email address and phone numbers. So be on the lookout for a call to confirm your contact information for anyone that needs to be added.

  • Program:

Tom Klecka reported the following:

This year’s seminar is scheduled for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility. Tom has decided on the following topics: the morning seminar shall discuss Freeze Protection (4Hrs.), afternoon seminars Conceal Spaces (2Hrs.) and Roles and Responsibilities (2Hrs.). Bob Caputo will be the instructor for all three seminars. Mission BBQ will cater this event, and Tom promises cookies this year. There are still 5 seats available, which should be filled by the end of the week.

  • Public Relations:

Hooper reported the following Sprinkler Saves:

A Harrisonburg man was taken into custody for intentionally setting a fire in a hotel room. John Wesley Whitaker Jr. was taken into custody by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, after allegedly admitting to starting the fire. Harrisonburg Fire Department units were dispatched to a fire alarm in the 1400 block of East Market Street. While enroute, the incident was upgraded to a structure fir with smoke coming from one of the rooms. Units arrived at the location in under two minutes and found a fire contained by a functioning fire sprinkler system. Fire Department personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and water and smoke damage was limited. The hotel was evacuated temporarily while personnel confirmed the fire was extinguished.

Whitaker was initially transported to the hospital for evaluation before being released and taken into custody. Whitaker was charged with multiple felonies.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to a fire at the Scope Area. A malfunctioning HVAC system caught fire shortly before 7:45 am according to the assistant chief of Norfolk Fire-Rescue. The sprinkler system activated, and help extinguished the fire. No one was injured. Crews are working to clear the smoke from the building. Officials said people in the area will smell smoke as they work to clear it out.

  • Social Media Committee:

MaryCatherine reported the following:

Everything is updated from social media post and some website Trying to get more posting done, some membership spotlight Monday, Tech Talk Tuesday or things like that. Will be posting scholarship winner pic and winner’s information. Will be working with NexGen to update our store front at Regency Square. Currently the VA Chapter is in 3rd place for followers, post and metrics. We’re up 60% from our competition, which in first place is NFPA, second place is AFSA National. So, we are now ahead of Florida Chapter, Georgia Chapter, and Ohio Chapter.

  • Education/Apprenticeship:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

Jeff reminded everyone that the Lab at VA Randolf High School is up and running. Another “Thank You” for all the manufactures that donated equipment. A recent fire panel was donated and will be installed and wired in the near future. Three students went through the program the first year. Currently there are 15 – 17 students signed up for next year, the maximum is 20. We’re going to be working on the 2nd floor of the Hermitage Ace Center this year as part of the construction trade students over the summer school and into the upcoming school year. The second floor will be constructed to look like a medical office with exam rooms, meeting rooms, and check in areas to train students that are going into the medical field. Jeff will be working with Mac Beaton with Henrico Co, about how we can expand the fitter training process, where we could have some live lab work with the students.

The question was asked to Jeff, if vendors could utilize the lab to teach their new employees, to which Jeff response was absolutely.

  • Golf:

Bob Beckwith reported the following:

Bob has secured September 24th as the next AFSA/BSF Golf Tournament at the Williamsburg National Golf Course. Lunch and dinner will be provided by O’Toole’s. Hotel reservation will be available at the Doubletree by Hilton, Williamsburg. Applications for this year’s tournament will be sent out the end of April. Still looking for Hole Sponsors, notices will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.

  • NexGen:

Dominique Rose reported the following:

NexGen will be sponsoring the Putting Contest again this year. Last year was a great success and I am excited to bring it back making a few changes. Dominique is setting up a NexGen event for this year. NexGen will refresh the store front at Regency and have a little social afterwards. If you or some you know is interested to belong on the NexGen Team contact Dominique.

  • Community Projects:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

The 20th house has been completed, inspected and is now on the market. House #21 has started next door to House #20, but sprinkler work is not anticipated to start for another year. The second floor of the Hermitage Ace Center is the community project for this year to get students into working on the sprinkler system.

  • Scholarship:

Jason Gill reported the following:

Jason informed everyone that this year’s scholarship winner is Brooklyn Monell. Brooklyn’s dad is a Project Manager with ACI in Suffolk. Brooklyn was out of the country at the time Jason was trying to contact her of her winnings. Congratulations Brooklyn, when you get back.

  • Code Assistance

Joe Saffer reported the following:

Go to the VA Chapter website menu there is a link “Ask the Board”. It will focus on local codes, especially in the Northern Virginia area, which seems to be the most difficult. I can provide business advice, contracting information and am happy to share operational systems, technology reviews and management practices.

  • BSF Charity Committee

Bob Beckwith reported in George Wagner absent:

VA Chapter has an investment account with Janney Wealth Management. So, it’s gotten to where the Burn Survivor account is getting big, we’re hoping this account will sustain the charities, through the interest, in case there’s never a golf tournament. In the process of obtaining a charity nonprofit permit. Once obtain then we can apply for tax exempt status.

Old and New Business

  1. Bob Beckwith mentioned how important AFSA membership is driving AHJ free membership. Our AHJ membership is outstanding.
  2. Future Board and Members meeting dates for 2025 are September 23rd and November 4th.
  3. The next Board and Members meeting will be at the Williamsburg Hilton September 23rd.
  4. Bob Beckwith has secure 2025 AFSA/BSF golf tournament for September 24th at Williamsburg National.
  5. At the conclusion of each member’s meeting a certificate will be available for anyone requiring NICET points. Please identify your need to obtain a certificate when you sign in or notify Steve McGee prior to the meeting to be available after the meeting.
  6. 2025 AFSA National Convention will be held October 14th – 18th at the Gaylord National, Washington DC.
  7. Tom Klecka’s seminar is set for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility.
  8. George Wagner is the committee chair to oversee the BSF committee. George will be overseeing the needed to ensure the paperwork and money are properly accounted for. An annual report will be required.
  9. Bob Beckwith tenure as AFSA VA Chapter President expires December 31, 2025. Timothy “Hooper” Loscomb has been elected to become the next AFSA VA Chapter President and will assume his new position January 1, 2026
  10. Steve McGee, Executive Director is stepping down as of December 31, 2025. Anyone interested or knows someone that may be interested please contact me.

Speakers: Our members had two very informative speakers for our June Members Meeting which created many questions during their presentation.

Presentation Speaker: Jason Gill w/ Crews & Gregory. Jason provided his presentation that was a hit at the 2024 AFSA National Convention; “Getting your hands dirty – big profits from a small business.

Vendor Presentation: Danielle Fowler w/Potter Electric, Anthony Mizak w/Reliable, and Shawn Walls w/Hajoca. Each vendor discusses new products their companies can offer and other benefits that can serve the sprinkler industry.

Our 50/50 drawing was conducted at the end of our meeting with the results of Chris Amorese winning $67.00 of the $134.00 total pot. Chris donated his winnings back to the AFSA VA Chapter. Thanks for your support, Chris.

There being no further business, the Members Meeting was adjourned at 2.52pm.