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Leadership Team

Meet the Leaders Guiding Projects and Shaping Safer Outcomes

The leaders of Summit Fire Consulting bring decades of engineering expertise and code knowledge to the table, helping clients meet compliance demands and achieve safe, successful outcomes. Their commitment drives our reputation as trusted problem-solvers nationwide.

Jim Bychowski

Senior Vice President

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Mark Hopkins

Director of Engineering 

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Aric Aumond

Director of Business Development

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Chris Leaver

Engineering Manager
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Timothy J. LaRose

Engineering Manager
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David Stacy

Engineering Manager
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Engineering Consulting Team

Our team of fire protection engineers and consultants is the engine behind our project work, translating codes, field conditions, and design intent into permit-ready documents and clear paths to approval. Guided by our leadership team, they bring deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach to every client engagement.

Shannon Alvarez

Fire Protection Consultant
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Haavard Boehmer

Fire Protection Engineer
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Barrett Boone

Fire Protection Engineer
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Natalie Buckman

Fire Protection Consultant

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Kyle Carpenter

Fire Protection Consultant

Will Ford

Fire Protection Consultant

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Benjamin Georgeson

Fire Protection Consultant

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Thomas Good

Fire Protection Engineer
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Austin Grant

Fire Protection Engineer
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Dillon Grewing

Fire Protection Engineer
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Zachary Hatten

Fire Protection Engineer
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Brandon Ingram

Fire Protection Engineer
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Jeff Javaheri

Fire Protection Consultant

Josh Keller

Fire Protection Engineer
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Corey Kinsman

Fire Protection Engineer
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Rachel Kirk

Fire Protection Engineer
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Alan Kouchinsky

Fire Protection Engineer
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Pierce Lushinsky

Fire Protection Engineer
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John Mahoney

Fire Protection Consultant

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Jeannene Meisman

Fire Protection Consultant
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Kevin Mina

Fire Protection Consultant
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Brandon Nieto

Fire Protection Consultant

Mitchell Oliver

Fire Protection Consultant

Adam Reis

Fire Protection Engineer
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Bill Roberts

Fire Protection Consultant
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Claire Simpson

Fire Protection Engineer
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Klayton Smith

Fire Protection Consultant

Matt Smith

Fire Protection Consultant
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Mark A. Sornsin

Fire Protection Engineer
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Brunno Storani

Fire Protection Consultant

Tyler Sullivan

Fire Protection Consultant

Ali Tanvir

Fire Protection Consultant

Christopher Venable

Fire Protection Consultant

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Sean Vizgirda

Fire Protection Engineer

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Riley Woiak

Fire Protection Engineer
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Bryan Zieren

Fire Protection Consultant
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Let's Solve Your Fire Protection Problem

Have a complex challenge or a high-stakes deadline? Our leaders bring decades of fire protection and code expertise to help you define a clear path forward and deliver safer, compliant outcomes.

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Jim Bychowski

Senior Vice President

James “Jim” Bychowski, P.E., serves as Vice President – Consulting at Summit Fire Consulting, based in the Chicago area. With over 35 years of fire protection consulting, engineering management, and business development experience, Jim has worked globally and throughout the United States on projects across a wide spectrum of industries, from high-rise offices and hotels to airport terminals, aircraft hangars, petrochemical processing facilities, power generation stations, stadiums, convention centers, hospitals, and universities.

Jim has served as a principal member on the NFPA 72 Technical Committee, as alternate to the chairman of NFPA 13, and is a founding board member of the International UAE Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) chapter. Prior to joining Summit, he held senior executive roles at fire protection engineering and global risk consulting firms, including vice president positions overseeing U.S. Midwest, Ontario, and Middle East operations.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Mark Hopkins

Director of Engineering 

Mark Hopkins, PE, FSFPE, serves as Engineering Director at Summit Fire Consulting, providing national-level fire protection engineering industry guidance, quality assurance, and senior consulting services. With more than 30 years of experience in fire protection engineering and code consulting, Mark has designed fire protection systems, conducted hazards assessments, forensic engineering examinations, litigation support, corrosion investigations, and consulted on life safety and building code issues across a wide range of occupancies.

Mark previously served as Vice President of Engineering for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), where he oversaw the engineering department and served as chief technical expert on fire sprinkler systems for the nationwide trade organization. Before that, he spent nearly two decades as a senior fire protection engineer at a fire protection engineering consultancy, preparing automatic fire sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump system designs and conducting forensic reviews and expert witness services. He is a prolific contributor to fire protection codes and standards, having served on numerous NFPA and SFPE technical committees—including NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 101, and NFPA 200—and authored content for the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook.

Mark holds a B.S. and M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states, a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (FSFPE), an adjunct instructor at the University of Maryland, serves as immediate President of the SFPE Chesapeake Chapter, member of the SFPE Board of Directors, chair of the NFPA Cultural Properties Committee which oversees NFPA 909 and 914, and a vice chair of the Maryland Fire Prevention Commission.

Aric Aumond

Director of Business Development

Aric Aumond, P.E., serves as Director of Business Development and Strategy for Summit Fire Consulting, where he helps lead the consulting team’s growth through business development, sales process management, and marketing initiatives. Based in Tampa, Florida, Aric brings more than a decade of industry experience to shaping strategy, improving pursuit efforts, and supporting the continued expansion of Summit Fire Consulting across key markets.

Before moving into his current role, Aric built his career as a fire protection engineer, progressing from fire sprinkler and fire alarm designer to Principal and Vice President at Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering (PBFPE). That background gives him a strong technical foundation and practical understanding of the consulting work the team delivers. His experience includes fire sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump system design; code consulting for mixed-use and high-rise buildings; smoke control design; and performance-based fire protection solutions.

Aric holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida and a Master of Engineering in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states and is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association.

Chris Leaver

Engineering Manager

Christopher Leaver, PE, is the Engineering Manager at Summit Fire Consulting. Chris has been active in the fire protection and code compliance industry since 1996 and has spent the last 15 years with Summit leading complex projects across mixed-use, commercial, healthcare, aviation, retail, and education sectors.

Chris’s technical expertise spans code consulting, fire sprinkler and fire detection and alarm design, smoke management and fire modeling, hydraulic analysis, building and fire code analysis, performance-based design, and hazardous materials. He has contributed to landmark projects including the Social Security Administration Headquarters (Arthur J. Altmeyer Building) in Woodlawn, MD; the Minnesota State Capitol restoration; U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis; Target Center; the Walker Art Center; the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building feasibility study; Carleton College’s Music and Performance Commons; and multiple University of Minnesota and Iowa State University facilities.

Chris holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is a licensed Professional Fire Protection Engineer in multiple states. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Timothy J. LaRose

Engineering Manager

Timothy J. LaRose, PE, is Engineering Manager at Summit Fire Consulting, leading the firm’s east coast fire consulting operations and business development. With more than 25 years of fire protection engineering and code consulting experience, Tim has supported thousands of clients on projects ranging from small fire protection systems design through code-compliance master planning for portfolios of more than 100 buildings.

Tim’s expertise spans fire alarm, fire suppression, and special hazards systems design and commissioning. He guides projects from the earliest phases of discovery through final testing and approval, and works closely with local fire and building officials, owners, architects, and insurance representatives to resolve complex code and design challenges. Prior to joining Summit in 2023, Tim spent more than two decades at a fire protection engineering consultancy in roles including Senior Director and Principal Engineer, Practice Leader for Education, and regional office director.

Tim holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is a licensed Professional Fire Protection Engineer in multiple states. Tim is a Professional Grade member of SFPE and a past president of the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers.

David Stacy

Engineering Manager

David Stacy, PE, is the Engineering Manager at Summit Fire Consulting, where he leads a team of sixteen staff—including eleven licensed fire protection engineers—delivering fire protection design and code consulting services nationwide. David founded Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering (PBFPE), which was acquired by Summit in 2025, and now oversees the delivery of the firm’s broader full-service fire protection offerings, including consulting support for U.S. Government and military projects, property condition assessments, surveys, and related services.

David’s technical expertise centers on fire and egress modeling, performance-based design, smoke control analysis, building airflow analyses, and fire protection system design and review. He also brings a unique operational perspective from more than 14 years of active fire service as a Fire Captain with the City of Durham, where he led firefighting, hazmat, and technical rescue operations and held certifications as a Hazardous Materials Technician, Technical Rescue Technician (USAR), and Advanced EMT. Prior to founding PBFPE, David served as an associate, consultant, and project manager at a fire protection engineering consultancy.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Shannon Alvarez

Fire Protection Consultant

Shannon Alvarez, E.I.T., is a Fire Protection Consultant based in New York City with 6 years of professional experience in building fire safety code consulting, including fire alarm and automatic sprinkler system design. Her expertise encompasses fire and egress modeling, drawing and plan reviews, code reports, life safety assessments, property condition assessments and fire safety and emergency action plan development. Shannon delivers comprehensive fire protection and life safety solutions across health care, higher education, historic buildings, office, assembly, storage, residential, and transportation occupancies.

Shannon holds a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is an Engineer in Training actively pursuing her Professional Engineer licensure.

Haavard Boehmer

Fire Protection Engineer

Haavard Boehmer, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in the Baltimore–Washington area with over 15 years of experience in complex performance-based fire protection design, forensic analysis, and fire research. His work focuses on the application of computer fire and pedestrian movement modeling to problems including smoke extraction, structural fire exposure, evacuation and crowd management, battery gas release, and occupant tenability.

Haavard was the lead researcher for the 2020 NFPA Research Foundation report “Modern Vehicle Hazards in Parking Garages & Vehicle Carriers,” a study that shaped code-development discussions at the NFPA 88A committee and was published in Fire Technology, earning the 2022 SFPE Jack Bono Award for Engineering Communication. He has presented research at NFPA, SFPE, AIChE, and IAFSS conferences and contributed peer-reviewed articles on smoke detection, gas dispersion, and fire modeling.

Haavard holds an M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple jurisdictions and serves on the SFPE Standing Committee on Research, Tools and Methods and the SFPE Fire Model Selection Task Group.

Barrett Boone

Fire Protection Engineer

Barrett Boone, PE, is a Fire Protection Engineer with Summit Fire Consulting, based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Barrett brings more than 14 years of fire protection engineering experience, with a broad portfolio spanning Department of Defense facilities, institutional and healthcare projects, retail and distribution centers, and aircraft hangars. He supports clients with fire protection engineering design, code consulting, and life safety analysis, and partners closely with local authorities to develop practical, compliant solutions that meet owner objectives.

Barrett holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Technology from Oklahoma State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering. He serves as President of the Dallas–Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, supporting the professional development of the region’s fire protection engineering community.

Natalie Buckman

Fire Protection Consultant

Natalie Buckman, SET IV, CFPS, has a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and brings over 17 years of fire protection design and consultation experience across mixed-use, residential, high-rise, mercantile, commercial, storage, and warehouse facilities. Her expertise spans the design, review, and code analysis of fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, along with developing alternative code compliance solutions for complex building challenges. Natalie is also an experienced presenter, having delivered seminars on building codes, fire and life safety systems, and hazardous materials.

Natalie holds a NICET Level IV certification from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies and is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS).

Will Ford

Fire Protection Consultant

Will Ford, SET, serves as a Senior Fire Protection Consultant for Summit Fire Consulting, based in Orlando, Florida. A results-driven fire alarm professional with over 11 years of experience spanning design, installation, management, and project leadership, Will brings deep expertise in fire alarm systems to the consulting team.

Will holds a NICET Level IV certification in Fire Alarm Systems and has a strong background in managing complex fire alarm projects from concept through completion. Before joining the consulting team, he spent six years as a Fire Alarm Project Manager at Summit Fire and Security, where he managed full project lifecycles including budgeting, scheduling, execution, and closeout. He also designed fire alarm systems using AutoCAD for commercial and large-scale projects and served as a CAD technician at fire alarm and security firms.

His areas of expertise include fire alarm system design, installation, and commissioning, as well as working with local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) on code compliance and permitting.

Benjamin Georgeson

Fire Protection Consultant

Benjamin Georgeson, SET, EIT, is a Fire Protection Consultant with over 20 years of experience spanning field installation, specialized system design, and project management. Ben has a proven track record managing and designing complex projects, including high-rise residential towers, automated storage and retrieval (ASRS) warehouse systems, and industrial fire protection systems.

Ben’s practice includes preparing bid drawings and specifications, designing fire sprinkler systems with associated hydraulic and seismic calculations, and designing fluorine-free foam and water-only suppression systems for high-challenge flammable liquid occupancies. He consults on the conversion of fluorinated foam systems to fluorine-free and water-only systems. Prior to joining Summit, he served as Owner and Vice President of Mountain Fire Protection in Columbus, Montana, providing third-party sprinkler design services across Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and as Owner and Lead Designer of Quattro Fire Protection in San Diego.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and is NICET Level IV certified in Water-Based Systems Layout. He also holds an Engineer Intern certificate and a sprinkler installer license, and is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Thomas Good

Fire Protection Engineer

Thomas Good, PE, is a Fire Protection Engineer with Summit Fire Consulting, based in the Baltimore, MD area. Thomas is dedicated to promoting, improving, and implementing fire and life safety codes, and brings field-tested experience in fire alarm and fire suppression system design, shop drawing and architectural plan review, hazardous material assessment, on-site life safety assessments, and construction administration.

Prior to joining Summit, Thomas served as a registered fire protection engineer at a fire protection consulting firm, where he designed fire alarm and suppression systems and interpreted complex building and fire code requirements for project teams and clients. Earlier, he was a Fire Protection Engineer and Assistant Fire Marshal at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where he consulted with external contractors, architects, and engineers to verify correct installation of fire protection systems, conducted post-installation acceptance testing, performed in-depth building inspections, and investigated fires and fire alarm activation causes.

Outside of the office, Thomas serves as an Adjunct Faculty at Howard Community College, teaching Introduction to Life Safety Analysis course. Additionally, Thomas brings an operational perspective with 12 years of active service with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department where he currently serves as a Lieutenant and Shift Leader.

Thomas holds a Master of Engineering and Bachelor’s of Science in Fire Protection Engineering as well as a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states and is an active member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), SPFE Chesapeake Chapter as well as the SFPE Emerging Professionals and Fire Service Subcommittees. He is also an active member of the University of Maryland Fire Protection Engineering Department’s Curriculum Advisory Comm…

Austin Grant

Fire Protection Engineer

Austin Grant, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in Louisville, Kentucky with over 13 years of experience in fire protection engineering and consulting. Prior to joining Summit, Austin served as a Principal at Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering, where he led fire protection design and QFPE services on government and private-sector projects, including a strong portfolio of military facility construction. He has extensive experience with the full spectrum of fire suppression systems—automatic sprinkler, standpipe, and special hazards—as well as fire alarm and mass notification systems.

Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering Technology from Eastern Kentucky University. Earlier in his career, he held roles as a sales engineer and staff fire protection engineer at fire protection firms, developing a broad foundation across clean agent, foam, CO2, dry chemical, and pre-action suppression systems.

Austin is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states and is an active member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME).

Dillon Grewing

Fire Protection Engineer

Dillon Grewing, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, combining fire protection and safety expertise across aerospace, federal, food and beverage, consumer product, industrial, wastewater, and office building markets. His work spans fire suppression and alarm design, existing-site evaluations, fire risk and explosion risk assessments, hazardous materials analyses, and the development of performance-based alternatives to protect occupants, first responders, and property in situations not addressed by prescriptive codes.

Dillon has led code consulting and developed Alternative Design Methods, Fire Hazard Analyses, and Hazardous Materials Inventories for numerous lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities and has extensive experience with combustible dust and ignitable liquid operations. Prior to joining Summit, he served as a fire and safety consultant and project associate at risk consulting and design-build firms, where he led fire protection on design-build and design-bid-build projects ranging from $2M to $550M.

Dillon holds a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from West Texas A&M University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states, a Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), and a Provisional Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (p-CFEI). He currently serves as Immediate Past President of the SFPE Dallas–Fort Worth Chapter.

Zachary Hatten

Fire Protection Engineer

Zachary Hatten, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, specializing in smoke control testing, life safety code analysis, and alternate means and methods. With over six years of experience in fire protection engineering and code consulting, Zach supports projects to ensure compliance with fire protection and life safety standards that safeguard both building occupants and structures.

Zach’s expertise includes smoke control special inspections, fire and egress modeling, existing-conditions surveys, and performance-based design. He has delivered life safety plan reviews, engineering plan reviews, life safety narratives, and alternative means and methods documentation across multi-family residential, hotel, corporate office, and military and government projects. Prior to joining the firm, he spent five years as a life safety consultant at a fire protection consulting firm, where he developed life safety evaluations for high-rise buildings, supported TCO and CO milestones on multimillion-dollar projects, and helped establish a BDA/DAS radio systems practice.

Zach holds a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states.

Brandon Ingram

Fire Protection Engineer

Brandon Ingram, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in the Washington, D.C. area with over 12 years of experience in fire protection engineering and thermodynamics. His area of expertise is smoke control systems, fire modeling, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with extensive experience across thermal and fluid simulation software suites and the design and analysis of building smoke control systems—including atrium smoke exhaust and stairway pressurization systems.

Brandon designs and analyzes fire protection systems including sprinkler, smoke exhaust, and stairway pressurization systems, and supports business development efforts with clients focused on code compliance, life safety, and property protection. Prior to joining Summit, he served as a senior engineer at an engineering analysis firm, performing engineering analyses for litigation involving fire and explosion investigations using FLACS and FDS modeling; as a lead engineer at a fire protection engineering consultancy, designing atrium smoke exhaust and stairway pressurization systems; and as a code consultant at a Boston-based code consulting firm, supporting new construction and renovation projects from schematic design through permitting.

Brandon is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple jurisdictions.

Josh Keller

Fire Protection Engineer

Josh Keller, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in Columbus, Ohio specializing in the design of fire alarm and special hazards suppression systems and in code consulting for hazardous materials and high-hazard occupancies. Josh’s expanded practice includes fire sprinkler design, smoke control, and broader building and fire code consulting, bringing a strong multidisciplinary foundation to every project.

Before joining Summit, Josh served as a systems engineer at a fire alarm and security systems firm, where he designed and documented fire alarm and special hazards fire suppression systems for projects across multiple states, determining requirements through detailed application of ICC codes and NFPA standards and coordinating closely with electrical contractors to support successful installations.

Josh holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states, NICET certified in Fire Alarm Systems (Level II) and Special Hazards Systems (Level I), and a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Corey Kinsman

Fire Protection Engineer

Corey R. Kinsman, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in Nashville, Tennessee with over 20 years of fire protection engineering and code consulting experience. His work supports battery manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms, commercial nuclear power plants, government research laboratories, real estate developers, warehouse storage companies, and insurance and risk management entities. Corey’s expertise spans building and fire code compliance, hazardous materials analysis, fire hazards and life safety analyses, automatic fire suppression, fire alarm, and smoke management system design, performance-based design, AHJ negotiations, and system inspection, testing, and commissioning.

Much of Corey’s recent work involves lithium-ion battery manufacturing, chemicals and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing, and battery energy storage systems, where he has led code consulting efforts and developed Alternative Design Methods, Fire Hazard Analyses, Hazardous Materials Inventories, and Code Analyses for facilities across the United States and abroad. He is also a named inventor on a pending U.S. patent for intumescent fire-resistant storage container systems.

Corey holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bradley University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states. He currently serves on the SFPE Board of Governors, is Vice President of the SFPE Middle Tennessee Chapter, and contributes to NFPA and ICC technical committees.

Rachel Kirk

Fire Protection Engineer

Rachel Kirk, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in northern New Jersey with nearly 10 years of hands-on fire protection engineering and life safety consulting experience. Her practice focuses on life safety code consulting, fire and egress modeling, smoke control modeling, performance based analysis, and existing-conditions surveys across all occupancies including health care, office, assembly, storage, and residential occupancies.

Rachel brings a strong perspective informed by more than four years of direct support to New York State Authorities Having Jurisdiction, giving her valuable insight into how codes and standards are applied from the jurisdiction side of projects.

Rachel holds a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and a M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states, and she is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

With her depth of knowledge, practical expertise, and collaborative mindset, Rachel Kirk consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism and effectiveness in her role as a Fire Protection Engineer.

Alan Kouchinsky

Fire Protection Engineer

Alan Kouchinsky, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in Jacksonville, Florida with over 18 years of fire protection engineering and code consulting experience. Prior to joining Summit, Alan served as Chief Fire Protection Engineer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast (NAVFAC SE) in Jacksonville, where he ultimately led the Fire Protection Technical Discipline Criteria Branch and supervised a team of fire protection engineers supporting Department of Defense facilities.

Alan brings extensive Department of Defense experience, including service as the Fire Protection Quality Control (FPQC) Specialist on Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build projects for multiple NAVFAC Facilities Engineering Commands, and a tour with NAVFAC Far East in Okinawa, Japan. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade at a fire protection engineering consultancy in Baltimore, where he rose to Engineering Supervisor, performed experimental fire research on naval vessel fire detection and suppression, and served as the design engineer on the fire sprinkler system installation for the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Alan’s expertise includes code consulting, fire sprinkler and fire alarm design, hydraulic analysis, building and fire code analysis, and hazardous materials. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states.

Pierce Lushinsky

Fire Protection Engineer

Pierce Lushinsky, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer at Summit Fire Consulting, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. With over ten years of experience, Pierce specializes in performance-based design, smoke control modeling and commissioning, and computational egress analyses, and leads a team of licensed fire protection engineers delivering complex solutions to clients nationwide. He is also responsible for QA/QC of models and technical reports and helps to steer the company’s practices and standards for modeling.

Pierce is one of the firm’s experts in smoke control special inspections and commissioning, with a portfolio that includes complex atrium smoke control systems, stairwell and elevator hoistway pressurization designs, and code analyses across industrial, hospitality, healthcare, and aircraft hangar occupancies. His practice also includes hazardous materials classification, Maximum Allowable Quantity analyses, and design guidance for control areas and Group H high-hazard spaces.

Pierce served as a volunteer firefighter from 2008 to 2015, including four years as a live-in member with Company 12 in College Park, Maryland, in Prince George’s County. This hands-on fire service background gives him a distinctive operational perspective, allowing him to consider how fire department personnel will interact with the systems and environments he designs.

Pierce holds a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering (with a minor in Terrorism Studies) from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states and is a Professional Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

John Mahoney

Fire Protection Consultant

John Mahoney is a Fire Protection Consultant with Summit Fire Consulting, specializing in fire protection and safety for U.S. Department of Energy, nuclear, and high-hazard industrial facilities. With over seven years of experience, John has led fire protection scope on complex design-build projects involving hazardous materials, process equipment, and nuclear facilities.

John’s practice encompasses fire protection system design, life safety analysis, fire hazard analysis (FHA), fire hazard evaluations, and performance-based design. Prior to joining Summit, he served as a fire protection consultant and design engineer supporting Department of Energy and national laboratory facilities, including Idaho National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, where he supported research and nuclear facility projects including glovebox operations.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He is Radiological Worker Level 1 certified, previously held a DOE L clearance, and is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American Glovebox Society (AGS).

Jeannene Meisman

Fire Protection Consultant

Jeannene Meisman, CFPS, serves as a Consultant for Summit Fire Consulting, based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. With 20 years of experience in fire protection, Jeannene is a licensed fire protection contractor and an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist.

Jeannene started her career as a fire inspector and continued to build a fire protection portfolio that includes firefighter/EMT and assistant chief while simultaneously earning her Fire Protection Contractor’s license, CFPS certification, and NICET II certification. Since 2013 she has served on various NFPA Technical Committees including NFPA 13 Correlating, NFPA 88A, and NFPA 303. Combining her skill sets, Jeannene relocated to the Middle East in 2015 where she worked as a subject matter expert and project manager over multiple projects.

Throughout her career Jeannene has spent countless hours educating her customers about how their fire protection systems work and helping them develop and prioritize maintenance and repair solutions. Her work at Summit Fire Consulting allows Jeannene to truly help her clients navigate the often-overwhelming choices they face when confronting their life safety and fire protection responsibilities.

Kevin Mina

Fire Protection Consultant

Kevin Mina is a Fire Protection Consultant with Summit Fire Consulting. With more than 13 years of experience in fire protection, Kevin brings technical expertise in fire protection engineering design and code consulting. He has worked on the contracting side as a lead designer, project manager, and branch manager for a company specializing in high-rises, hospitals, stadiums, industrial manufacturing, and warehouses.

Kevin’s primary area of expertise is fire sprinkler systems, with practical experience carrying projects from planning through execution. At Summit, he designs and evaluates fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke control systems, fire-rated separations, means of egress, and other fire and life safety features in buildings and facilities. He manages project scope and budgets and works directly with Authorities Having Jurisdiction to develop fire protection approaches that meet the needs of Summit’s clients.

Kevin holds a degree in Fire Protection Engineering Technology and is certified NICET Level IV in Water-Based Systems Layout. He is OSHA 30 Construction Safety certified and is proficient in HydraCAD, AutoSPRINK, SprinkFDT, Revit, and Navisworks. Kevin is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association.

Adam Reis

Fire Protection Engineer

Adam Reis, P.E., ASP, is a Fire Protection Engineer with over 18 years of experience, based in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. His career has been shaped by a long tenure as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) within the federal government, most notably with the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he gained firsthand insight into federal regulations and compliance requirements across a wide range of building occupancies and construction types.

Throughout his career, Adam has supported high-profile construction projects from concept through completion for multiple federal agencies, leading fire protection engineering reviews, acceptance testing, and code compliance coordination against NFPA, ICC, OSHA, and agency-specific standards such as GSA’s P-100. His project experience spans historic occupancies, assembly spaces, battery energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, commercial cooking operations, IT equipment fire protection, and healthcare facilities.

Adam holds a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states and a licensed Associate Safety Professional (ASP), and he is an active member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Bill Roberts

Fire Protection Consultant

William “Bill” Roberts, NICET III, serves as a Senior Fire Protection Consultant for Summit Fire Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in fire protection engineering and installation operations, Bill brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the consulting team, having worked on thousands of projects ranging from small system installations to multi-million-dollar complex builds.

Bill’s area of expertise is water-based fire sprinkler system design, installation, and commissioning. Before joining the Summit consulting team, he built a distinguished career in fire protection operations leadership, serving as Operations Manager, Senior Designer, and Director of Engineering with various fire protection companies. His career path demonstrates his ability to support significant business growth and leed delivery of major multi-building developments and complex system installations. His career began in the field as an apprentice, progressing through hands-on roles that gave him end-to-end operational expertise.

Bill has extensive experience working with local fire and building officials, building owners, architects, and insurance representatives on a variety of complicated code and design challenges. He holds a NICET Level III certification in Water-Based Systems Layout and is a licensed fire protection contractor in multiple states.

Claire Simpson

Fire Protection Engineer

Claire Simpson, PE, is a Fire Protection Engineer with Summit Fire Consulting. Claire joined Summit in May 2018 as an intern while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and transitioned to a full-time role after graduating in June 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Claire brings hands-on experience across a wide range of fire protection disciplines, including fire sprinkler system design, building and fire code analysis, NFPA code review, plan reviews, hazardous materials consulting, and historic and existing building renovations. She has contributed to projects spanning corporate, education, healthcare, aviation, retail, mixed-use, industrial, and public facility types.

Claire is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in the state of Minnesota.

Matt Smith

Fire Protection Consultant

Matt Smith is a fire protection consultant with over 12 years of experience in fire protection system design, project management, and code consulting. His project background spans industrial, commercial, warehousing/logistics, higher education, and healthcare occupancies throughout the United States.

Matt’s experience includes the design and inspections of smoke control and fire protection systems for both new construction and retrofit applications. His technical expertise includes fire sprinkler systems, water supply analysis, hydraulic calculations, building and fire code analysis, hazardous materials evaluations, stair pressurization systems, atrium smoke exhaust, and the integration of fire protection systems with building operations. He is experienced in project scoping, estimating, scheduling, client coordination, and stakeholder communication to ensure the delivery of compliant life safety solutions.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Technology from Oklahoma State University. He is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), and is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Mark A. Sornsin

Fire Protection Engineer

Mark A. Sornsin, PE, is a Fire Protection Engineer with Summit Fire Consulting. He began his career as a loss prevention consultant in the insurance industry in 1991 and moved into fire sprinkler contracting and design in 1998. Since 2001, Mark has provided consulting services across a wide range of facility types, including corporate, education, healthcare, retail, public, industrial, military, and government, and has supported loss investigations throughout his career.

Mark’s technical expertise includes fire sprinklers, water supplies, foam suppression, clean agent systems, fire detection and alarms, hydraulic analysis, building and fire code analysis, and hazardous materials. His project portfolio includes VA and GSA facilities, U.S. Army installations at Kwajalein Atoll, the U.S. Naval Support Facility in Diego Garcia, various U.S. Air Force and National Guard locations, large food and beverage processing plants, distribution warehouses, educational campuses, and municipal buildings across the upper Midwest.

Mark holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa and is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering in multiple states. He is a Professional Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a member of the American Fire Sprinkler Association and the National Fire Protection Association, and currently serves on the NFPA 22 Water Tanks Technical Committee.

Christopher Venable

Fire Protection Consultant

Christopher (Chris) Venable, SET, is a Fire Protection Consultant with Summit Fire Consulting based in Dallas, Texas. With more than 39 years of experience in the fire protection industry, Chris has led the design, engineering, and project management of new construction and existing-building projects spanning high-rise, technology, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential occupancies throughout the United States and the Middle East. Select international and domestic projects include Hamad Medical City in Doha, Qatar; Forte Towers in Dubai, UAE; the U.S. Navy Warehouse in Manama, Bahrain; and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Chris has designed and overseen the installation and commissioning of complex fire detection and alarm systems for commercial and residential high-rises, airport facilities, hotels, hospitals, schools and universities, and industrial and manufacturing plants. He began his career as a fire alarm technician and ultimately served as President of a significant fire alarm contracting company, where he oversaw all technical and business operations. At Summit, Chris coordinates the integration of fire detection and alarm systems with passive fire zones, suppression systems, smoke extract systems, elevator recall, and mass notification systems.

Chris is certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) as a Level IV Senior Engineering Technologist in Fire Protection Engineering Technologies. Chris is a member of both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Sean Vizgirda

Fire Protection Engineer

Sean Vizgirda, P.E., is a Fire Protection Engineer based in the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky area with over 15 years of experience in the fire protection industry, spanning fire protection system design, risk assessment, and fire safety management. His expertise covers oil and gas, aviation, and industrial applications, with a strong background in fire suppression design, code consulting, hazardous materials analysis, and project management.

Sean’s career reflects a unique blend of engineering and operational fire service experience. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a team leader and fire protection engineer at engineering firms, and as a Senior Fire Instructor at Qatar Petroleum, where he designed and led an Industrial Fire Training Academy serving over 300 personnel annually. Earlier in his career, he served as Fire Station Captain at RAF Lakenheath, leading firefighting, medical, and hazmat emergency response operations.

Sean holds a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Eastern Kentucky University and an A.A.S. in Applied Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in fire protection engineering, holds the NEBOSH General Certificate, and currently serves as President of the Kentucky Chapter of SFPE.

Riley Woiak

Fire Protection Engineer

Riley Woiak, P.E. SET is a senior fire protection engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Mr. Woiak has experience with systems sales, engineering, installation, commissioning, and project management. These services included serving new construction, existing buildings, and retrofits for industries spanning high-rise, technology, commercial, industrial, and military markets.

Mr. Woiak has designed and oversaw the installation and commissioning of complex fire alarm and special hazards systems. This includes projects in commercial and residential high-rise buildings, military facilities, hospitals, education, industrial plants and manufacturing facilities. He started his career in the fire protection industry as a service technician. Throughout his career he has worked on the installation and commissioning of fire alarms and special hazard systems. He then progressed into the role of Senior Fire Protection Engineer.

Mr. Woiak is a licensed Professional Engineer. He also holds several certifications from National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). These certifications include Fire Alarm Systems – Level IV, Special Hazard Systems – Level III, Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems – Level II, and Water Based System Layout – Level I.

Bryan Zieren

Fire Protection Consultant

Bryan Zieren is a senior fire protection consultant with over 8 years of experience in fire protection system design, project management, and code consulting. His project background spans industrial, commercial, warehousing/logistics, higher education, and healthcare occupancies throughout the United States.

Bryan has led the design and construction management of fire suppression systems for both new construction and retrofit applications. His technical expertise includes fire sprinkler systems, water supply analysis, hydraulic calculations, building and fire code analysis, hazardous materials evaluations, and the integration of fire protection systems with building operations. He is experienced in project scoping, estimating, scheduling, client coordination, and stakeholder communication to ensure the delivery of compliant and cost-effective life safety solutions.

Bryan is proficient in HydraCAD, AutoSPRINK, and Navisworks. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a NICET Level III certified professional in Water-Based Systems Layout through the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). He is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

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