NFPA Journal - Fall 2023 - 8

NFPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
First Word
by Jim Pauley
NFPA President
Spread the Word
I
t always takes me a while to
fully process everything that
happens at the NFPA Conference
& Expo®
each year. I have
opportunities to talk to so many
people at the event who are integral to safety
around the world. I get to hear presentations
on new approaches to fire and life safety challenges,
and to see innovations in these areas
up close on the expo floor. And I love hearing
that attendees feel more connected to everything
we're doing at NFPA to make the world
a safer place.
I received a lot of comments on the General
Session opening remarks delivered by Russ
Leavitt, chair of our board of directors. Russ
talked about how he got into the fire safety
business as a young person in search of work,
and about a chance encounter with the district
manager for a large regional fire sprinkler
contractor. As Russ would soon learn, it wasn't
just a job. He came to realize the privilege of
being involved with something that mattered.
The systems he designed protected property
and saved lives.
Russ also talked about the things that drew
him to NPFA. He discovered that NFPA was
much more than the organization that put out
the standards he was using; it was a membership
organization. He told the audience that
he joined NFPA for one reason: to be part of
something that fed his growing passion for
such an important profession. Russ's remarks
certainly struck a chord with me, and I know
many of you feel the same way.
8 | NFPA JOURNAL * FALL 2023
In an age when we often hear that membership
organizations are a thing of the past,
Russ's message was powerful and resonated
with our audience because of the work we do
together. NFPA members are unique. They
share a vision and a sense of mission. It is all
of you who are critical to advancing fire and
life safety across the globe.
Russ concluded with a challenge that I will
borrow. He implored members to evangelize
OFFICERS
Russell B. Leavitt, Chair
Telgian Holdings, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
James Pauley, President
President and CEO, NFPA
Quincy, Massachusetts
R. David Paulison, First Vice Chair
Global Emergency Solutions
Davie, Florida
John D. Bonney, Second Vice Chair
Alendi Consulting Ltd.
Ropley, United Kingdom
Roger W. Montembeault, Secretary
The Montembeault Group, Inc.
Tampa, Florida
Donald R. Cook, Assistant Secretary
Dewberry-Edmonds Engineering
Pelham, Alabama
Kwame Cooper, Assistant Secretary
New York City Fire Department
New York, New York
Michael Wallace, Treasurer
Geosites Corp.
Hartford, Connecticut
Stacy N. Welch, Assistant Treasurer
Marriott International
Bethesda, Maryland
Amy R. Acton, Immediate Past Chair
The Phoenix Society for
Burn Survivors, Inc.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Sally P. Everett, Assistant Secretary
Secretary of the Corporation, NFPA
Quincy, Massachusetts
*Paul DeFronzo, Staff Officer
Chief Financial Officer, NFPA
Quincy, Massachusetts
Terms Expire 2024
Raj Arora
Jensen Hughes
Baltimore, Maryland
Brion Callori
FM Global, retired
Johnston, Rhode Island
Reginald D. Freeman
HAI Group
Cheshire, Connecticut
William J. Fries
Department of Defense
Washington, DC
Lou Paulson
California Public Employment Relations
Board
Walnut Creek, California
Russ joined NFPA for
one reason: to be part
of something that
fed his growing passion
for such an
important profession.
our mission and to bring one new person into
our community before returning to next year's
Conference & Expo. As our membership grows,
Russ said, our influence grows, and with this
growth we have a real chance to truly make
this world a safer place to work and live.
If you joined us in Las Vegas in June, thank
you for being a part of this seminal event. If
you were unable to attend, I hope to see you
next year in Orlando. In either case, I look
forward to meeting those you bring along
with you.
Terms Expire 2025
H. Butch Browning
National Association of
State Fire Marshals
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Adrián Gallardo Landeros
SIE Consultores
Mexico City, Mexico
Mark Ghilarducci
California Governor's Office
of Emergency Services
Mather, California
Patrick J. Morrison
International Association of
Fire Fighters
Washington, DC
Terms Expire 2026
Dr. Denis Onieal
US Fire Administration,
Federal Emergency
Management Agency, retired
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Brigadier General Mohamed
Abdullah Al-Nuaimi
Civil Defense General Headquarters,
Ministry of Interior
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
*Not a board member
NFPA Journal - Fall 2023

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