Leadership

As President of USA Fire Protection, Chad oversees the company’s corporate development. A primary part of his focus is developing employees and company culture to support the growing operations, vision, and strategic objectives of USA Fire Protection.  

Chad Huennekens is a dynamic leader in delivering fire and life safety solutions. Chad has held many different positions within the organization, giving him a clear understanding of our customer and employee needs.  

Under Chad’s leadership, USAFP has grown organically, acquired several companies, and developed many different facets of the business. In addition, he has become a coach and mentor to employees while teaching the importance of project delivery and superior customer service. Chad inspires the culture of excellence and safety through an experienced team of life safety experts.

Chad has been the driving force behind USAFP’s innovation and extraordinary growth while developing his vision to lead USAFP as the premier trusted fire protection partner for clients.  He does this by being an actively engaged leader; who encourages feedback while helping to find solutions in all areas of the business.  

Chad is an active member of the community participating in a variety of organizations such as the Young Presidents Organization’s Chicago Chapter and many other community groups. Outside of USAFP, Chad enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children, coaching baseball, golfing, and skiing. 

As Executive Vice President of Sales at USA Fire Protection, Rodney oversees the departments responsible for bidding, negotiating, and securing contracts. In addition to building, developing, and maintaining client relationships.

Rodney began his fire protection career in 1987 in the warehouse. Shortly after, he became a member of the design team, before quickly advancing into a successful salesman. Recognizing his drive, determination, and leadership ability in 2003, he was promoted to his current role as the Executive Vice President of Sales.

Rodney enjoys the collaboration and teamwork of the USAFP culture. As a former team athlete, he understands that having a team mentality is the groundwork for the most successful organizations. Having been the salesman or estimator on many projects during his career, he sees the value in a team approach to sales. Rodney believes it’s always a great feeling when the success of securing a contract can be shared with colleagues.

Rodney built a solid reputation within the company and with customers and teaching best business practices while mentoring the people within the organization. Rodney takes pride in watching them grow and develop into industry leaders themselves.

Rodney enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. When given the opportunity he frequently hikes, specifically in the Pacific Northwest. He is an avid runner, completing the Chicago Marathon eight times, a half Ironman, and has his sights set on completing a full Ironman in the future.

Steve Riggle has been USA Fire Protection’s Executive Vice President of Operations since 2011. A role in which he oversees the day-to-day operation of the following departments, purchasing, engineering, administrative, safety, and union labor with his experienced team of managers.

Steve started his career in the fire protection industry in 1987, where he has managed the purchasing department, warehouse, and shop. Later he transitioned into a superintendent role where he scheduled manpower and oversaw projects. His demonstrated ability to multi-task, along with his strong leadership skills, earned him the promotion to Executive Vice President of Operations. Steve keeps his superintendent skills sharp by fielding after-hour emergency calls if or when needed.

Steve provides team members with guidance and expertise from his more than thirty years in the industry. As a result, the team has developed talent from junior team members who have become successful leaders in the company, supporting our ever-growing business with limitless potential. He enjoys not only watching the company grow but also how the team members develop as individuals.

Steve works hard to promote employee engagement through the company by regularly volunteering for company functions such as Feed My Starving Children, bike path clean-up, company outings, and other events.

Steve is an avid sports enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and participating in a wide variety of other sports-related activities.

Steve leads USA Fire Protection in Wisconsin by overseeing the daily business and field operations of our Appleton and New Berlin branch locations. Steve is an advocate for the fire and life safety industry in Wisconsin and strives to positively influence those around him.

In 1999, before accepting the role of Executive Vice President of Operations in Wisconsin, Steve spent many years learning the intricacies of the fire protection industry. He gained knowledge by serving in a variety of roles, from engineering and project management to leadership.

Steve believes knowledge not shared is experience wasted. Therefore, Steve is always eager to share his thirty-five-plus years of knowledge and industry experience to inspire others to be great leaders.

Steve serves as Chairman of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), the Wisconsin Industry Promotion Committee, and Co-Chairman of the State Automatic Fire Sprinkler Advisory committee. He is also active with Columbia St. Mary’s Regional Burn Center.

Outside USAFP, Steve enjoys spending quality time with his wife and helping their children navigate the world as adults. Steve is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and the scenic wilderness of Wisconsin. In the future, Steve envisions traveling, with hopes to spend time in Italy.