(Left to Right): Fernando Arias of A & D Fire Sprinklers, Inc., Anaheim, California; Jared Whitten of Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., Orange, California; Ricky Sutter of JPI Development Group, Inc., Murrieta, California; Kevin Trella of Central Connecticut Fire Protection, Inc., Meriden, Connecticut; Joe Headrick of Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Bismarck, North Dakota; Brian Feeney of Piper Fire Protection, Inc., Clearwater, Florida; Freddie Martinez of Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, California.

Started in 1994 by the late Robert L. (Bob) McCullough, then chairman of the Education & Apprenticeship Committee, AFSA’s Annual National Apprentice Competition was created to promote apprentice training and give recognition to the apprentices who are actively enrolled in the AFSA Apprenticeship Program. Over 20 years later, the competition continues to bring fire sprinkler apprentices from AFSA local chapter and member training programs from all corners of United States together in the association’s foremost showcase of excellence in training among future industry leaders.