Interim Chief Executive Officer

• Apr 2023 - Present

Chief Engineer

• Jan 2022 - Present

Technical Director

• Apr 2014 - Jan 2022

As SFPEs Technical Director, Chris leads SFPE’s global technical/engineering activities that include identifying, developing, and overseeing SFPE’s technical documents, reviewing new innovations, assisting in establishing the SFPE Research Roadmap for the Fire Safety Engineering Profession and the development of the 6th edition of the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering. Specifically, Chris performs the following activities:• Works with technical committee chairs to coordinate the development and maintenance of SFPE’s engineering standards & guides. This includes the SFPE Guide to Human Behavior in Fire, SFPE Guide to Fire Safety of Very Tall Buildings, SFPE Guide to Fire Risk Assessment, SFPE Guide to Performance-Based Fire Protection and SFPE Standard on Calculating Fire Exposures to Structures and SFPE Committee on Design Fires. • Coordinates activities of the Subcommittee for Research and Innovation (SCRI). Identifies and advocates for research needed to advance the global practice of fire protection engineering. Monitors research and technology activities and identifies results that should be implemented into FPE practice. Leads the development and implementation of SFPE’s Research Roadmap.• Technical Editor for SFPEs Fire Protection Engineering Magazine and SFPEs digital magazine FPE Extra.• Serves as secretary of SFPE’s Subcommittee for Standards Oversight (SCSO) and assists in the development of SFPE’s standard-making procedures. Show less

Engineering Program Manager

• Apr 2004 - Oct 2014

Chris previously served as the Engineering Program Manager at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). At SFPE, Chris is responsible overseeing SFPE’s licensing activities, as well as leading the profession in SFPE’s goal to gain increased professional recognition. At SFPE he:• Served as the Society’s media spokesperson and manages SFPE’s PR program. • Managed all activities related to development of the Principles and Practice in Engineering (P.E.) exam in fire protection.• SFPE’s ABET accreditation activities that ensure SFPE’s commitment to making certain that FPE higher educational programs meet the educational standards set by the profession.• Assisted in the development of SFPE’s global professional recognition program.• Facilitated in the development of new degree programs and courses, and the utilization of new and existing programs and courses at the university level in fire protection engineering.• Promoted fire protection engineering as a career with parents, students and career counselors and is the Technical Editor for SFPE’s Careers in Fire Protection Engineering.• Assisted in the development of SFPE’s plan to promote Building Information Management (BIM) in the profession of fire protection engineering.• Managed efforts to translate FPE related research and current trends in FPE design for fire service and increase design community’s awareness of firefighters tasks, tactics, and strategies.• Promoted the profession of fire protection engineering as a speaker at international conferences and seminars.• Served as an Instructor and a course developer for SFPE’s Principles of Fire Protection Engineering Seminar. Show less

Manager, Fire & Safety Code Review

• Oct 1998 - Apr 2004

Responsible for the management and supervision of the University’s fire & code review group.Supervised three fire protection engineers and two safety engineers. The group was responsible for ensuring that all construction projects for the University’s system campuses comply with the applicable fire, building and safety standards. The group was responsible for the review of approximately 100 million dollars per year in complex construction projects for eight University campuses. Other duties:• Member of the University’s fire protection sub-committee. The fire protection sub-committee was responsible for the development and administration of fire prevention activities for the University of Maryland campus. • Exceeded expectations in all performance reviews. For the first two years in position of manager performed duties of two job functions (manager and fire protection engineer).• Member of a committee to investigate the need for automatic sprinkler systems in all campus dormitories. Convinced the administration to develop a plan to install sprinkler systems in all campus residences. Assisted with the design and construction administration of sprinkler systems for nine dormitories. As of August 2003, all campus dormitories were protected with an automatic sprinkler system. • Completed the foundations of leadership training from the University of Maryland Leadership Development Institute. Show less

Fire Protection Engineer

• Dec 1990 - Oct 1998

Responsible for assuring that new construction projects complied with the applicable fire prevention codes and standards. Independently reviewed construction drawings, and conducted construction site inspections. Communicated fire prevention concerns with campus administrators, professors, architects, engineers, and construction contractors. Other duties: • Appointed as a special assistant fire marshal by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. Designated as the authority having jurisdiction for all University of Maryland construction projects.• Was a member of a committee to develop University wide specifications for fire protection systems.• Volunteered as an instructor for the University’s sexual harassment program. Show less

Fire Firefighter

• Aug 1984 - Dec 2000

Started as a firefighter. Served as every line officer position including seven (7) years as Chief of the Department. Started as a firefighter. Served as every line officer position including seven (7) years as Chief of the Department.

Fire Protection Engineer

• Dec 1989 - Dec 1990

Responsible for the management of the Library’s fire prevention and emergency management programs. Prepared fire protection surveys and fire prevention inspections for Library of Congress facilities. Reviewed construction drawings for Library’s renovation project, and initiated projects for fire protection installations. Responsible for the management of the Library’s fire prevention and emergency management programs. Prepared fire protection surveys and fire prevention inspections for Library of Congress facilities. Reviewed construction drawings for Library’s renovation project, and initiated projects for fire protection installations.

Fire Protection Engineer

• May 1987 - Dec 1989

Performed fire prevention surveys for office buildings, warehouses, generating stations, sub-stations, and oil storage facilities for a major utility company. Completed specifications and hydraulic calculations for fire protection systems. Performed fire hazard analysis and fire protection audits for nuclear power plants. Performed fire prevention surveys for office buildings, warehouses, generating stations, sub-stations, and oil storage facilities for a major utility company. Completed specifications and hydraulic calculations for fire protection systems. Performed fire hazard analysis and fire protection audits for nuclear power plants.