The National Fire Protection Association‘s (NFPA) Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Ross Ashley as its next president and chief executive officer.
Mr Ashley brings more than 30 years of experience across corporate leadership, public safety, intelligence and emergency management.
Leadership experience across emergency management and public safety
David R. Paulison, Chairman of the NFPA Board, said the appointment reflects Ashley’s ability to continue advancing the organisation’s long standing mission.
He noted that NFPA standards, research, public education and training have formed the foundation of fire, life and electrical safety for 130 years.
Ashley most recently served as Senior Director of Emergency Management at KPMG LLP, where he led programmes supporting state and local emergency management clients across preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities.
During his career he has held leadership roles across government, non profit and private sector organisations.
FEMA and military background
Ashley also served as assistant administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he managed more than 10 billion dollars annually in financial assistance programmes for preparedness and disaster relief.
He is recognised for his work in digital innovation, organisational growth, collaborative partnerships, public policy and regulatory affairs.
In addition to his civilian leadership roles, Ashley completed 20 years of combined enlisted and officer service in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves before retiring from military service.
He was the first Air National Guard member to attend the Joint Military Intelligence College in residence and earn a master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence.
Mr Ashley said: “I am impressed with the trajectory of NFPA to reach new heights in order to meet the fire and life safety challenges of our times.”
“The quest to better protect people and property from fire and other hazards should never be stagnant. I’m looking forward to building on the success that Jim and the team have built.”
Ashley will take up his role on Wednesday, July 1 and will work alongside Jim Pauley who has served as NFPA president and CEO since 2014 and will retire at the end of July.
Mr Pauley has more than 35 years of affiliation with NFPA as a member, technical committee member, standards council Chairman and President.
Under Mr Pauley’s leadership, NFPA has been pursuing aggressive growth to expand its impact on fire safety. It is grounded in four strategic pillars: to be more digital, more global, more connected and more diversified.
He said: “I’m proud of our many advancements over the last 12 years. Today’s world requires not only change but faster change.
“Our information and knowledge today reaches more people, in more places, in more ways, which translates to greater safety against new and persistent threats.
“Ross Ashley is an excellent choice to continue the momentum at NFPA, and I am sure he will find it as fulfilling as I have.”
