Brandon Telford
CFPS
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
Technical Services Manager
Brandon Telford, has been with Reliable since 2015 and has over twenty-seven years of fire protection industry experience. Brandon started his career working in fire protection contracting for nine years in the Mid-Atlantic region, followed by three years working on Department of State and Department of Defense projects in Albania and Qatar. Before joining Reliable, he worked six years as a sales territory manager for a fire protection products manufacturer. Brandon holds Associates in Applied Science degrees in both Fire Protection Engineering Technology and Safety Management from Delaware Technical Community College. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) through NFPA and has achieved NICET certification as a Level III Certified Engineering Technician (CET) in automatic sprinkler system layout. Brandon currently sits on the AFSA Technical Advisory Council, NFSA Engineering and Standards Council, and UL/FM/ISO Technical Advisory Group.
Extended Coverage, Beyond Ordinary
CFPS
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
Technical Services Manager
Brandon Telford, has been with Reliable since 2015 and has over twenty-seven years of fire protection industry experience. Brandon started his career working in fire protection contracting for nine years in the Mid-Atlantic region, followed by three years working on Department of State and Department of Defense projects in Albania and Qatar. Before joining Reliable, he worked six years as a sales territory manager for a fire protection products manufacturer. Brandon holds Associates in Applied Science degrees in both Fire Protection Engineering Technology and Safety Management from Delaware Technical Community College. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) through NFPA and has achieved NICET certification as a Level III Certified Engineering Technician (CET) in automatic sprinkler system layout. Brandon currently sits on the AFSA Technical Advisory Council, NFSA Engineering and Standards Council, and UL/FM/ISO Technical Advisory Group.
Extended Coverage, Beyond Ordinary
Victoria Valentine
P.E., FSFPE
AFSA
Director, Program Development & Special Projects
Victoria B. Valentine, P.E., FSFPE, is the director of program development and special projects for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). She has served the fire sprinkler industry and fire protection community for over 20 years. Victoria is a licensed professional engineer and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). Her education was pursued at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), achieving both a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Fire Protection Engineering. In addition, she has focused her career working with non-profit associations concentrating on professional qualifications, codes and standards development, and training programs to ensure quality in fire protection systems. Throughout her professional career, she has written many publications and presented on fire protection systems to a wide variety of audiences. Victoria continues to be involved with many organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the National Fire Protection Association, and the SFPE, among others. She also maintains efforts to engage the next generation in fire protection careers and support young professionals as they develop into the next leading experts.
What's Going on With NFPA 200?
P.E., FSFPE
AFSA
Director, Program Development & Special Projects
Victoria B. Valentine, P.E., FSFPE, is the director of program development and special projects for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). She has served the fire sprinkler industry and fire protection community for over 20 years. Victoria is a licensed professional engineer and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). Her education was pursued at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), achieving both a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Fire Protection Engineering. In addition, she has focused her career working with non-profit associations concentrating on professional qualifications, codes and standards development, and training programs to ensure quality in fire protection systems. Throughout her professional career, she has written many publications and presented on fire protection systems to a wide variety of audiences. Victoria continues to be involved with many organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the National Fire Protection Association, and the SFPE, among others. She also maintains efforts to engage the next generation in fire protection careers and support young professionals as they develop into the next leading experts.
What's Going on With NFPA 200?
Jared Van Gammeren
ET
Driven Fire Consultants
Owner
Jared Van Gammeren has been in the fire sprinkler industry for over 20 years. He has worked his way up through the ranks as an installer, foreman, superintendent, designer, estimator, project manager, design manager, director, and owner. He has estimated, designed, and managed fire protection work on hospital facilities, industrial projects, schools, and mixed-use buildings. Out of his desire to provide the best design services to companies from coast to coast, Jared, and Darin Syverson, P.E., created Driven Fire Consultants in 2015. Driven is currently performing work in 30 states and has licensed engineers in 14 states. Jared holds NICET Level III in Water-Based Systems Layout and NICET III in Inspections and Testing of Water-Based Systems. He completed Fire Pump Applications, Inspections & Testing from Oklahoma State University in 2008, and Analysis of High Piled & Rack Storage Systems and Hydraulic Calculation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems in 2009. Jared is a volunteer firefighter for the Inwood Fire Department, servs as an alternate member on NFPA 33/34 and NFPA 11 and principal on NFPA 30B and currently serves on AFSA's Apprenticeship & Education Committee, the Convention Committee for AFSA44, and co-chairs the Design Training Task Group. Jared is also on the FLC committee for NFSA.
Introduction to BIM
ET
Driven Fire Consultants
Owner
Jared Van Gammeren has been in the fire sprinkler industry for over 20 years. He has worked his way up through the ranks as an installer, foreman, superintendent, designer, estimator, project manager, design manager, director, and owner. He has estimated, designed, and managed fire protection work on hospital facilities, industrial projects, schools, and mixed-use buildings. Out of his desire to provide the best design services to companies from coast to coast, Jared, and Darin Syverson, P.E., created Driven Fire Consultants in 2015. Driven is currently performing work in 30 states and has licensed engineers in 14 states. Jared holds NICET Level III in Water-Based Systems Layout and NICET III in Inspections and Testing of Water-Based Systems. He completed Fire Pump Applications, Inspections & Testing from Oklahoma State University in 2008, and Analysis of High Piled & Rack Storage Systems and Hydraulic Calculation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems in 2009. Jared is a volunteer firefighter for the Inwood Fire Department, servs as an alternate member on NFPA 33/34 and NFPA 11 and principal on NFPA 30B and currently serves on AFSA's Apprenticeship & Education Committee, the Convention Committee for AFSA44, and co-chairs the Design Training Task Group. Jared is also on the FLC committee for NFSA.
Introduction to BIM
Matt Verderamo
Well Built Construction Consulting
My dad built houses, which, from an early age, gave me a deep appreciation for the construction industry and the people in it. When I joined the industry after college, I excelled as a project manager and estimator for a specialty subcontractor, eventually reaching Vice President, Preconstruction & Sales at 28-years-old while also getting my Master’s degree in Construction Management part-time from Purdue University. I was fortunate to learn not just how to run projects, but how to build teams, culture, and a profitable construction business. I joined Well Built because I believe in the mission: we stand to create positive change in the building industry. Construction is hard! And the people in it are some of the hardest workers out there. They deserve to have a job they love going to every day, and at Well Built, I get the chance to help make that happen. I have been speaking, training, and coaching for a few years. It is my livelihood.
Bid Less, Win More
Tips For Being A Next Generation Leader
Well Built Construction Consulting
My dad built houses, which, from an early age, gave me a deep appreciation for the construction industry and the people in it. When I joined the industry after college, I excelled as a project manager and estimator for a specialty subcontractor, eventually reaching Vice President, Preconstruction & Sales at 28-years-old while also getting my Master’s degree in Construction Management part-time from Purdue University. I was fortunate to learn not just how to run projects, but how to build teams, culture, and a profitable construction business. I joined Well Built because I believe in the mission: we stand to create positive change in the building industry. Construction is hard! And the people in it are some of the hardest workers out there. They deserve to have a job they love going to every day, and at Well Built, I get the chance to help make that happen. I have been speaking, training, and coaching for a few years. It is my livelihood.
Bid Less, Win More
Tips For Being A Next Generation Leader
Terry Victor
SET
Risk Suppression Partners LLC
Director of Risk Control Services
Terry Victor, director of Risk Control Services at Risk Suppression Partners, has over 50 years of technical experience in the fire sprinkler industry. He is NICET certified Level IV in Water-Based Systems Layout and Special Hazards Systems Layout. He has served on various industry boards and committees, including a member of the CFSI National Advisory Committee and the NFFF Advisory Committee to the Board. He is a current member of the AFSA Apprenticeship & Education, Legislative, and Convention Committees. Terry is an active speaker at various fire protection industry conferences and seminars including those for the AFAA, AFSA, ASCET, CFSI, FFLA, NFPA, and NFSA. He is a past member of numerous NFPA technical committees including those for NFPA 3, 4, 11, 13, 13D, 13R, 14, 15, 20, 25, 72, 101, 214, 303, 915, and 5000. He received the NFPA Committee Service Award in 2015.
Field Sprinkler Testing Statistics and ITM in NFPA 25
The Signs of NFPA 25
NFPA 25 Inspection Reports: Questions to Include & Questions to Avoid
SET
Risk Suppression Partners LLC
Director of Risk Control Services
Terry Victor, director of Risk Control Services at Risk Suppression Partners, has over 50 years of technical experience in the fire sprinkler industry. He is NICET certified Level IV in Water-Based Systems Layout and Special Hazards Systems Layout. He has served on various industry boards and committees, including a member of the CFSI National Advisory Committee and the NFFF Advisory Committee to the Board. He is a current member of the AFSA Apprenticeship & Education, Legislative, and Convention Committees. Terry is an active speaker at various fire protection industry conferences and seminars including those for the AFAA, AFSA, ASCET, CFSI, FFLA, NFPA, and NFSA. He is a past member of numerous NFPA technical committees including those for NFPA 3, 4, 11, 13, 13D, 13R, 14, 15, 20, 25, 72, 101, 214, 303, 915, and 5000. He received the NFPA Committee Service Award in 2015.
Field Sprinkler Testing Statistics and ITM in NFPA 25
The Signs of NFPA 25
NFPA 25 Inspection Reports: Questions to Include & Questions to Avoid
John Waters
CFPS (ret.), EFO, MA, MS
Upper Merion Fire and Rescue Services
Chief (retired)
John Waters worked for the National Fire Sprinkler Association as a Field Service Coordinator for two years He started with NFSA in April of 2018, after a 35-year career with Upper Merion Township’s (Montgomery County, PA) Fire and Rescue Services, where he served as Chief Fire Official for 29 years. He is holds a Bachelors Degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland (1990), is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (2000) and holds two Masters Degrees, one from Grand Canyon University (2009) and the other from the Naval Postgraduate School (2013). He joined his volunteer fire company in 1971.
Fire Service Demand Tariff
CFPS (ret.), EFO, MA, MS
Upper Merion Fire and Rescue Services
Chief (retired)
John Waters worked for the National Fire Sprinkler Association as a Field Service Coordinator for two years He started with NFSA in April of 2018, after a 35-year career with Upper Merion Township’s (Montgomery County, PA) Fire and Rescue Services, where he served as Chief Fire Official for 29 years. He is holds a Bachelors Degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland (1990), is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (2000) and holds two Masters Degrees, one from Grand Canyon University (2009) and the other from the Naval Postgraduate School (2013). He joined his volunteer fire company in 1971.
Fire Service Demand Tariff
Jason Webb
Potter Electric Signal
Industry Affairs Consultant
Jason Webb is an industry affairs consultant for Potter Electric Signal. He has over 35 years of fire protection experience first as a firefighter, later as an AHJ, and most recently (past decade) as a sprinkler industry technical and training resource. He has presented at dozens of conferences and sits on numerous technical committees.
Component Action: The “Other” NFPA 25 Tables
Navigating Disagreements in Code Development
Potter Electric Signal
Industry Affairs Consultant
Jason Webb is an industry affairs consultant for Potter Electric Signal. He has over 35 years of fire protection experience first as a firefighter, later as an AHJ, and most recently (past decade) as a sprinkler industry technical and training resource. He has presented at dozens of conferences and sits on numerous technical committees.
Component Action: The “Other” NFPA 25 Tables
Navigating Disagreements in Code Development
Cary Webber
CFPS
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
Director
Cary Webber, director of Technical Resource Application, has over forty-five years of experience in the fire protection industry, having held positions as a designer, estimator, project manager, service manager, and inspections manager. Cary joined Reliable in 2012 as a technical services manager for the West Coast region and was promoted to director in 2017. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and an A.A.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Spokane Community College. He has been NICET certified as a Level IV Senior Engineering Technician (SET) in water-based systems layout and is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS). Cary currently sits on the NFSA Engineering and Standards, NFPA 11, 13, 15, and 30 committees.
Tech Top Five
CFPS
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
Director
Cary Webber, director of Technical Resource Application, has over forty-five years of experience in the fire protection industry, having held positions as a designer, estimator, project manager, service manager, and inspections manager. Cary joined Reliable in 2012 as a technical services manager for the West Coast region and was promoted to director in 2017. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and an A.A.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Spokane Community College. He has been NICET certified as a Level IV Senior Engineering Technician (SET) in water-based systems layout and is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS). Cary currently sits on the NFSA Engineering and Standards, NFPA 11, 13, 15, and 30 committees.
Tech Top Five
Meaghen Wills
AFSA Schuylkill Chapter
Executive Director
Meaghen Wills graduated from the University of Hartford in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Over the last 20 years she has worked at Anchor Fire Protection in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, where she does sales and project management and is the Executive Director of the Schuylkill Chapter of AFSA. She is also active in AFSA nationally where she serves on the Convention Committee, Membership Committee, Legislative Committee, and the NextGen Initiative.
Women in the Industry
AFSA Schuylkill Chapter
Executive Director
Meaghen Wills graduated from the University of Hartford in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Over the last 20 years she has worked at Anchor Fire Protection in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, where she does sales and project management and is the Executive Director of the Schuylkill Chapter of AFSA. She is also active in AFSA nationally where she serves on the Convention Committee, Membership Committee, Legislative Committee, and the NextGen Initiative.
Women in the Industry
Jacqueline Wilmot
P.E.
Brooks Safety Solutions
Research Project Manager
Jacqueline Wilmot, is a licensed Fire Protection Engineer and Director of Industry Relations at Brooks Safety Solutions. Prior to joining Brooks Safety Solutions, Jacqueline was a project manager for 5 years at the Fire Protection Research Foundation, NFPA's research affiliate, where she facilitated research projects and programs. Jacqueline developed technical and financial support for projects to meet budgetary and program objectives. She is a content creator and disseminates and communicates Research Foundation projects. Jacqueline was a Senior Engineer at NFPA for 7 years where she was a staff liaison to several NFPA codes and standards in the Fire Protection and Building Life Safety Division. Before her time at NFPA, Jacqueline provided her expertise in the nuclear industry where she conducted fire code conformance reviews, fire risk evaluations, engineering evaluations at EPM.
Women in the Industry
P.E.
Brooks Safety Solutions
Research Project Manager
Jacqueline Wilmot, is a licensed Fire Protection Engineer and Director of Industry Relations at Brooks Safety Solutions. Prior to joining Brooks Safety Solutions, Jacqueline was a project manager for 5 years at the Fire Protection Research Foundation, NFPA's research affiliate, where she facilitated research projects and programs. Jacqueline developed technical and financial support for projects to meet budgetary and program objectives. She is a content creator and disseminates and communicates Research Foundation projects. Jacqueline was a Senior Engineer at NFPA for 7 years where she was a staff liaison to several NFPA codes and standards in the Fire Protection and Building Life Safety Division. Before her time at NFPA, Jacqueline provided her expertise in the nuclear industry where she conducted fire code conformance reviews, fire risk evaluations, engineering evaluations at EPM.
Women in the Industry
Madison Wolf
Victaulic
Regional Manager - Victualic
Madison Wolf is a Regional Manager for the Carolinas at Victaulic. She joined Victaulic in 2019, bringing with her a strong foundation in the fire protection industry. Madison began her career in 2016 as a Territory Sales Manager with Globe Sprinkler, covering the Southeast region. She holds a degree in Marketing from East Carolina University and remains actively engaged in industry development. Since 2022, she has served on the AFSA NextGen Initiative, supporting the growth and mentorship of emerging professionals in the fire protection community.
Paths to Progress: Powerhouse Sales - Focused Professionals in the Industry
Victaulic
Regional Manager - Victualic
Madison Wolf is a Regional Manager for the Carolinas at Victaulic. She joined Victaulic in 2019, bringing with her a strong foundation in the fire protection industry. Madison began her career in 2016 as a Territory Sales Manager with Globe Sprinkler, covering the Southeast region. She holds a degree in Marketing from East Carolina University and remains actively engaged in industry development. Since 2022, she has served on the AFSA NextGen Initiative, supporting the growth and mentorship of emerging professionals in the fire protection community.
Paths to Progress: Powerhouse Sales - Focused Professionals in the Industry
Mathias Young
Engineered Corrosion Solutions
Lead Solutions Architect
Mathias Young is the Consulting Group Manager at Engineered Corrosion Solutions (ECS), leading the organization’s professional service activities. Mathias’ team has an excellent track record working with building owners to help reduce their risk and liability caused by corrosion. Before joining ECS’s professional services business, Mathias played a key role in the product development and OEM account teams. Mathias is based in St. Louis and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Address a Leaking System Without Total Pipe Replacement
Engineered Corrosion Solutions
Lead Solutions Architect
Mathias Young is the Consulting Group Manager at Engineered Corrosion Solutions (ECS), leading the organization’s professional service activities. Mathias’ team has an excellent track record working with building owners to help reduce their risk and liability caused by corrosion. Before joining ECS’s professional services business, Mathias played a key role in the product development and OEM account teams. Mathias is based in St. Louis and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Address a Leaking System Without Total Pipe Replacement