Sprinkler Age magazine recently featured the career journeys of five leaders in the fire protection industry including Telgian’s Executive Chairman and 1st Vice-Chair of NFPA Russell Leavitt. The article, “When Opportunity Knocks: Five Industry Leaders Share Their Stories” also showcased Founder and CEO of Protection Design and Consulting Steve Leyton, President and CEO of the Viking Group and Chair of the NFPA Standards Council James Golinveaux, President of Parsley Consulting Ken Wagoner, and President of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Bob Caputo. Each of these global leaders shared remarkably similar introductions to the fire protection industry as technicians. And, highlighting their stories answers a question which has been asked of each of them by technicians many times during the course of their careers: “How can I do what you have done?”
A common theme shared by the five is that by serving on various technical committees, councils, teams and workgroups, technicians can be instrumental in the evolution of the building safety industry as it keeps pace with new and ever-progressing technology.
“The common theme for this group of individuals is that we did not wait to be invited, we simply got involved. We did not base our involvement on whether or not we were going to be reimbursed for the time and expense by our employers. We did not ask, “What is in it for me?” When these opportunities presented themselves, we jumped into them because we understood they would foster personal and professional growth, and also benefit our industry.” says Leavitt. “We each intuitively knew that the more involved and visible we made ourselves that great and unique opportunities would ensue.”
Click here to read “When Opportunity Knocks, Five Industry Leaders Share Their Stories” in its entirety.
For media interviews with Russell Leavitt or additional information about “When Opportunity Knocks: Five Industry Leaders Share Their Stories,” please contact Susan McNeill, Communications Manager, at smcneill@telgian.com.