President's Message
Winter 2001
Dear FCIA Members,
The year 2001 is concluding and for many of us it has been
an unhappy one. World events, and for me the loss of my wife,
have been excruciating. But as with all challenges there comes
goodness too. For me, as this year's president, FCIA has been
one of my personal highlights. Read on and I hope you will
share my sentiments.
In no particular sequence, here are my observations;
- Membership growth has been phenomenal particularly with
many more specialty contractors joining FCIA.
- Cooperation by FCIA with UL is leading to their development
of an inspection certification program.
- Working relationships with IFC especially with respect
to inspection and marketing have improved significantly.
- Our spring Technical Meeting in Phoenix and the annual
conference in New Orleans were huge successes. FCIA's members
gained enormous technical and industry knowledge as a result
of these gatherings.
- FCIA members are making their practical knowledge and
expertise felt throughout the life safety community. ASTM,
JCAHO, BOCA, NFPA all are well aware, after just four years,
of FCIA and its collective membership influence on sound
construction techniques.
- Members working together on various committees have developed
FCIA educational and marketing materials, and have given
many presentations to relevant construction industry groups,
ie code and inspection officials designers, contractors,
and other trade associations both regional and national.
- Your FCIA Board has shifted its focus from "nuts
and bolts" entrepreneurial concerns (so vital in the
beginning of any new venture) to a more visionary role so
that members are made aware of challenges and business opportunities
ahead.
These are only some of the highlights of the past year.
Rather than "resting
on its laurels" FCIA is moving promptly into 2002. Our
first meeting under
Kathy Taraba's capable direction will be in Denver on January
10 & 11.
Kathy is well along in preparing for her year at FCIA's helm.
Ray Usher of Superl Thermal Systems will join the board.
He will replace
Breck Spain of Performance Contracting (one of the early stalwarts
of FCIA) whose term as a board member has expired. I thank
Breck for his many insights into FCIA development.
In conclusion, it has been an honor and privilege to serve
as FCIA's president
this past year. Thanks most of all to the interest, support,
and energy of our members, FCIA will continue as a leading
construction life safety force for
many years.
Sincerely,
Blasdel A. Reardon
Immediate Past President
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