The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), a world-leading professional society for fire protection and fire safety engineering, announces its 2026 class of Fellows and award recipients. 

Fellow membership represents the highest professional honor of SFPE and is bestowed to individuals who have amassed significant accomplishments and stature in fire protection engineering. SFPE members elevated to the status of Fellow in 2026 include the following:  

• Kevin L. Biando, PE, FSFPE, The Biando Group, LLC
• W.C. (Chuck) Boyte, MS, PE, CFPS, FSFPE, Sompo International
• Dr. Danny Hopkin, MEng, EngD, CEng, FIFireE, FIMechE, FSFPE, OFR Consultants
• Shaun Kelly, PEng, CEng, IntPE, EUR ING, FSFPE, Arencon Inc..
• Alana MacLellan-Bonnell, MScFPE, PEng, FSFPE, Jensen Hughes
• Nicholas E. Ozog, FSFPE, Wiss Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
• Michael Strömgren, MSc, BSc, FSFPE, Bricon
• Dr. Arnaud Trouvé, FSFPE, University of Maryland
• Steven Venditti, PE, FSFPE, Sparc Fire Protection Engineering LLC
• Craig M. Vesely, PE, FSFPE, Affliated Engineers, Inc

The SFPE “5 Under 35” recipients represent the industry’s top rising leaders who give back to both the fire protection engineering profession and the community. The 2026 recipients are as follows: 

SFPE is pleased to announce ten award recipients in 2026, as follows: 

• Beth Tubbs, PE, FSFPE, ICC, recipient of the SFPE Ahern President’s Award 
• Noah L. Ryder, PhD, Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC, recipient of the SFPE Trailblazer Award
• Patrick van Hees, PhD, Lund University, recipient of the SFPE Lund Award for Professional Recognition
• Virginia R. Charter, PhD, PE, FSFPE, Oklahoma State University, recipient of the SFPE Lucht Award for Contributions to Education
• Beth Weckman, PEng, University of Waterloo, recipient of the SFPE Bryan Mentoring Award 
• Stephen Dale, PE, CFPS, ARM, The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, recipient of the SFPE Jensen Award for Outstanding Committee Service 
• Simón Santamaria MSc, PhD, CEng, MIFireE, MSFPE, Santec Consulting, recipient of the SFPE Spotlight Award
• Daniel Gorham, PE, PMSFPE, UL FSRI, recipient of the SFPE Spotlight Award
• Nicholas E. Ozog, PE, FSFPE, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., recipient of the 2026 SFPE Annual Conference Top Abstract Award
• Kyle Christiansen, PE, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., recipient of the 2026 SFPE Annual Conference Top Abstract Award

“Each year, SFPE proudly recognizes members whose exceptional achievements have made a lasting impact on the field of fire protection engineering and the global safety community,” said Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, CEO of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. “Their contributions are advancing critical science and technology, helping to reduce fire risks worldwide. We commend their leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to the profession and to SFPE.” 

The awards will be presented by Shamim Rashid-Sumar, PE, FSFPE, SFPE President, during the SFPE Annual Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 6-8, 2026; registration for the conference is available at www.sfpe.org/annual26. Nominations for the Society’s 2027 class of Fellows and award recipients will be solicited in early 2027.