November 12th, 2024 Chapter Minutes

Minutes of Members Meeting #169                         November 12, 2024

The AFSA Members Meeting at Rivers Casino, Portsmouth VA. was called to order by AFSA VA Chapter President Bob Beckwith at 2:00pm.

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

Anthony MaDaniel – ACI

Tori Loefle – Hiller

David Farmer – VSC

Jason Gill – CG Fire

Glen MacKenzie – BFPE

Mike Beatty Jr. – BFPE

Katie Meehan – VSC

Rudy James –  Hajoca

Justin Houser – VSC

Louie Perkins – Summit

Charlie Far – VSC

Chris Stone – ACI

Pat Sigmon – eTec

Brittney Jones – Ferguson

Grant Chapman -VSC

Roy Orsborne – Fire Tech

B Lusster – JCI

Chris Lindsey – eTec

Mike Haynes – eTec

April Loscomb – Eagle

Jim Westbrook – Ferguson

Dylan Denmyer – Clark Nexsen

Mike Fantino -Fire Tech

Scott Monroe – Zurn

Dominique Rose – VSC

Robert Colgin – ODFC

Brandon Shearin – ODFC

Grant Campbell – Summit

Kevin Taylor – Ferguson

Brandon Harris – Ferguson

Nick Armbrister – BFPE

Stephen Kirby – Everon

James Mayo – Everon

Kris Wright – Chesterfield Fire

Ryan Smith – ODFC

Joey Doxey – JCI

Blake Lanserton – JCI

Joe Rainey – Wiley Wilson

Jeff Lewis – VSC

Ginger Hoffman – Core & Main

Sam Hitt – Core & Main

Bruce Allen – Hajoca

Alan Pierce – ODFC

Danny Santiago – Fire Tech

Cindy Wackerly – Fire Tech

Introductions:

Bob Beckwith opened the meeting by welcoming the board members. Bob asked everyone to introduce themselves. Bob thanked everyone for their help and contribution for making 2024 an extremely successful year. Bob introduced the speakers for today’s meeting, Chris Born w/Clark Nexsen and Chris Amorese w/JCI.

Treasurer’s report:

Craig Smith, Treasurer, reported that the AFSA Checking account held $26,465.74 and the AFSA Janney investment account held $71,212.92

Committee Report

  • Legislative:

Hooper reported the following:

Hooper attended October’s Board of Contractors meeting, A lot of house cleaning, wrapping up the secession for the year. Three of the Board Members were honored with plates for their service. Nothing to report until the next secession on December 10th. The Home Coalition is starting back up discussing residential codes. With the end of the year approaching, nothing else much happing.

  • Membership:

Bob reported the following:

Ben Davis w/ Coastal Fire is looking to join in 2025 as well as Jeff Boynton w/ H&E, Joe Raney w/Wiley Wilson with several other companies showing interest in joining.

  • Program:

Tom Klecka reported the following:

Next year’s seminar is scheduled for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility. Tom is accepting topic suggestions for next year’s seminar. Tom is providing lunch from Mission BBQ and promises cookies this year.

  • Public Relations:

Hooper reported the following Sprinkler Saves:

Chesterfield County fire department and EMS responded to an apartment fire Saturday morning that displaced three adults and three dogs. A little before 10:00am on Saturday, October 26, Chesterfield fire crews responded to the 2500 block of Trotter’s Lane for a report of an apartment fire. According to the fire department, the

first crew arrived on the scene located a kitchen fire that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system in the apartment. There were no reported injuries. Damage from the fire was limited to only one apartment, but two other units had water damage. Chesterfield fire crews confirmed three adults, and three dogs are displaced and are currently being assisted by property management.

  • Social Media Committee:

Beckwith reported for MaryCatherine:

MaryCatherine continues to update our web site by posting meeting minutes of the AFSA web site and group photo of the VA Chapter Board Members accepting an award from AFSA National for our achievements for 2024. Providing event highlights from seminars featuring Jason Gill md Mac Beaton at the AFSA Convention. And providing comprehensive updates from the Denver Convention and our AFSA/BSF golf tournament.

  • Golf:

Bob Beckwith reported the following:

Bob provided a recap of the huge success of this year’s AFSA/BSF golf tournament. Lunch and dinner provide by O’Toole’s was enjoyed by all. Lots of prizes and awards were handed out at the end of the tournament. Bob has secured September 24th as the next AFSA/BSF Golf Tournament.

  • NexGen:

Tori Loefke reported the following:

The putting contest at the beginning of our AFSA Golf Tournament was a tremendous success Tori mentioned several ideas going forward to implement to move our NexGen in the right direction. Tori plans to have monthly meetings with her committee. Tori has agreed to help with the registration with several of our meetings.

  • Community Projects:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

The second floor of the Hermitage ACE center is to be built out with student workers.

The focus of the BAC will be to bring more business support into the schools, not donations but involvement.

The ribbon cutting for the House Project is scheduled for April 1st. After which the house will be put on the market to sell.

  • Scholarship:

Jason Gill reported the following:

Jason informed everyone that next year’s scholarship is coming out in January. Jason encouraged everyone that receives the scholarship application to please post it where all employees have access and are made aware of this opportunity for all upcoming seniors.

 Education/Apprenticeship:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

The Henrico Career Fair is scheduled for February 25th at Regency Mall with more than 300 students attending. AGC VA Chapter is about to get involved with Henrico Co in a big way. Need support for the Henrico Co program to get training room complete. State program development takes place February 20th – 21st.

  • Code Assistance

Joe Saffer reported the following:

Wants to set up a dedicated email specifically for committee questions. This would help manage information flow and limit it to our members. Aim for a 24hour turnaround time on responses. Need to provide a disclaimer to protect AFSA and the responder. Program should aim to supplement more on local AHJ requirements, specific our areas. A secondary focus would be to help small companies to improve their operating procedures. Potential start date of January 1, 2025.

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 April 8th, June 3rd, September 23rd, and November 4th.
  3. 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.
  4. 2025 AFSA National Convention will be held October 15th – 18th at the Gaylord National, Washington DC.
  5. Tom Klecka’s seminar is set for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility.
  6. Bob Beckwith has secure 2025 AFSA/BSF golf tournament for September 24th at Williamsburg National.
  7. Joe Saffer is heading up our Code Assistance Committee. Joe to start this program January 1st, 2025
  8. Bob & George suggested having a committee chair to oversee the BSF. Due to the size of this foundation oversight is needed to ensure the paperwork and money are properly accounted for. An annual report will be required.
  9. Tom Klecka had a unanimous vote to continue the AFSA VA Chapter Board.
  10. BBQ Gives Back is scheduled for March 21st – 23rd at Beth Page Campgrounds. Bill Jones is accepting any donations to help with this program due to the rising cost of supplies.

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

Presentation Speaker: Chris Born w/Clark Nexsen: Chris will discuss what he looks for when reviewing fire protection sprinkler submittals and discussing his comments to the company submitting the design.

Vendor Presentation: Chris Amorese w/ JCI: Chris to discuss his company and what they can provide sprinkler contractors.

Our 50/50 drawing was conducted at the end of our meeting with the results of Katie Meehan winning he amount of $140 which she donated to the Chapter. Katie was given a surprise gift for returning her portion of the drawing.

 There being no further business, the Members Meeting was adjourned at 4:08pm.