The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has announced its 2025-26 board of directors. Officer elections were held during the board’s October 2025 meeting.

Paul DeLorie of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., Londonderry, N.H., was elected chair. Jay Strickland of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, Forestville, Md., was elected first vice chair, and Chris Johnson, president and co-founder of Piper Fire Protection, a Fortis Brand in Clearwater, Fla., was elected second vice chair.

Jeff Phifer of Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, Lugoff, S.C., was elected secretary, and Tommy Clements, president and CEO of VSC Fire & Security, Richmond, Va., was elected treasurer.

DeLorie is senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., one of the largest merit shop fire sprinkler companies in New England.

“I am honored to be chair and work alongside dedicated and talented board members who have great industry experience and passion for our cause,” DeLorie said. “Our directors make a lasting impact on our communities and the success of our members. They are championing fire safety and supporting our industry’s growth, innovation, education and training. That’s what AFSA is all about.”

A 1984 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, DeLorie has more than 40 years of experience in sprinkler design, estimating, sales, project management and senior management. He previously served as a board member and treasurer of the AFSA Patriot Chapter, now known as the New England Chapter. He also served on the Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter board, including a term as chair.

DeLorie joined the AFSA board in 2014 and has chaired several national committees. He served as the board’s treasurer for four years.

As chair, DeLorie leads the AFSA Board of Directors, which includes 10 regional directors, at-large directors and the immediate past chair. The board brings together a wide range of experience, education and industry expertise.

Regional Directors

• Region 1: Brooks Bayne, co-owner and vice president of operations, AFP Systems Inc., Tualatin, Ore.

• Region 2: Wayne Weisz, president, Cen-Cal Fire Systems Inc., Lodi, Calif.

• Region 3: Don Kaufman, president, Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, N.M.

• Region 4: Vacant.

• Region 5: Linda M. Biernacki, founder and president, Fire Tech Systems Inc., Shreveport, La.

• Region 6: Jay Strickland, vice president of business development, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, Forestville, Md.

• Region 7: Chris Johnson, president and co-founder, Piper Fire Protection, a Fortis Brand, Clearwater, Fla.

• Region 8: Jeff Phifer, president and CEO, Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, Lugoff, S.C.

• Region 9: Tommy Clements, president and CEO, VSC Fire & Security, Richmond, Va.

• Region 10: Paul DeLorie, senior vice president, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., Londonderry, N.H.

• Dwight E. Bateman, VSC Fire & Security Inc., Houston

• Don Becker, AFSA Life Member, Dallas Center, Iowa

• Bob Rees, API, High Point, N.C.

• Manning Strickland, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety LLC, Forestville, Md.

• Willie Templin, American Automatic Sprinkler, Fort Worth, Texas

• Larry Thibodeau, Hampshire Fire Protection Co. LLC, Londonderry, N.H.

• Jack Viola, JFV Engineering LLC, South Hadley, Mass.

• Ted Wills, Anchor Fire Protection/Sciens Building Solutions, Perkiomenville, Pa.

At-Large Directors

• Hunter Brendle, president, Brendle Sprinkler Company Inc., Montgomery, Ala.

• Mindy Buckley, CFO and co-owner, Allsouth Sprinkler Company, Buford, Ga.

• Michael F. Meehan, chairman, VSC Fire & Security, Richmond, Va.

Retiring Directors

At-large director and Immediate Past Chair Jack A. Medovich, P.E., Summit Companies, Mendota Heights, Minn., and Region 4 Director Rod DiBona, executive vice president, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, have retired from the board as of Sept. 30, 2025.