Dear FSSA Members,

As we move through the heart of summer, it is my sincere hope that each of you reading this has had the opportunity to enjoy time with family, friends, and the activities that make this season so special. Whether you are traveling, spending time at home, or continuing to serve customers during one of our industry's busiest times of the year, I hope you have found moments to relax and recharge.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who participated in our June technical committee meeting and board of directors meeting hosted by BFPE International in Baltimore. The engagement, professionalism, and willingness of our members to contribute their time and expertise continue to demonstrate what makes the Fire Suppression Systems Association such a strong and respected organization.

During the board of directors meeting, we had productive discussions and acted on several important items. I am pleased to report that the financial health of the association remains strong. Our largest source of revenue, as well as one of our most significant investments, continues to be the FSSA Annual Forum. The tremendous participation in this event, combined with the ongoing support of our membership, provides the foundation that allows us to continue advancing the association’s mission and serving the needs of our industry.

One of the highlights of our meeting was hearing updates from our committee chairs regarding the many initiatives currently underway. Among those updates was the outstanding progress being made with the FSSA Regional Training Workshop, led by Steve Rice, chair of the training & development committee. The amount of work and dedication being invested into this program is truly impressive. This program is shaping up to provide several days of high-quality industry education delivered by some of the most knowledgeable professionals in our business.

Another exciting update came from Todd Stevens, chair of the program committee. Todd and his team have been charged with continuing the tremendous success of the of the FSSA Annual Forum in 2027. As many of you know, that is no small undertaking. While the forum is certainly known for outstanding educational sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and an enjoyable venue, it is important to recognize that its impact extends far beyond the event itself. The annual forum serves as one of the primary opportunities for the association to discuss and shape its future. It provides a platform for conversations about growth, long-term financial stability, vendor participation, and the preservation of the collective knowledge that exists within our membership. Perhaps most importantly, it gives us the opportunity to explore how we can more effectively communicate that knowledge throughout the association and to the industry as a whole. These discussions are critical to ensuring FSSA remains strong, relevant, and positioned for continued success.

The board also recognizes the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in the area of Artificial Intelligence. As a result, the board has approved the formation of an AI exploration task group. This group has been tasked with identifying ways AI may be utilized to support both our membership and association leadership in accomplishing our objectives more effectively and efficiently. At this early stage, the group has been formed and productive conversations are underway. While there is much work ahead, I believe this effort represents an exciting opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate emerging technologies and determine where they may provide meaningful value to our members. Stay tuned—there is much more to come as this initiative develops.

Finally, it is my great pleasure to announce that the board of directors unanimously voted in favor of awarding a honorary membership to Mr. Tom Wysocki. This recognition is a reflection of Tom’s many years of hard work, dedication, leadership, and unwavering passion for both the association and its members. Tom’s contributions have helped shape FSSA into the organization it is today, and we are grateful for his continued commitment to its success. Tom, on behalf of the board and the entire membership, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for this association. We look forward to continuing our work together and celebrating many more successes in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Peter Particelli