NFPA Board extends President Shannon’s contract

November 29, 2011 – The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Board of Directors has extended President James M. Shannon’s term for an additional two years. Shannon will remain in the position through June 2014, two years beyond his previous contract which was set to end in June 2012.

“The Board is delighted that Jim agreed to extend his tenure as President until June 30, 2014,” said Tom Jaeger, NFPA Chairman of the Board. “NFPA is in the midst of implementing an aggressive strategic plan and we look forward to working with Jim and the leadership team as they continue to make NFPA an even greater organization.”.

Shannon was scheduled to complete his second five-year term in June 2012. Prior to becoming President, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel having begun his employment at NFPA in 1991.

Shannon said, “I have been honored to work at NFPA for the last twenty-one years and to serve as President for the last ten. While I had expected to retire from NFPA next June, I am excited at the prospect of working with the staff, the Board, our volunteers and members over the next two and a half years as we implement our new strategic plan and continue our work to improve fire and life safety across the globe.”

During his tenure, Shannon has expanded the influence of NFPA through several key NFPA advocacy initiatives including: home fire sprinklers, fire-safe cigarettes, wildfire issues and electric vehicle safety training.

Prior to his work at NFPA, Mr. Shannon was Massachusetts Attorney General (1987-1991) where he was known as a staunch consumer and civil rights advocate. He was a Senior Partner in the Boston offices of Hale & Dorr (1985-1987) and was a member of the United States House of Representatives (1979-1985) where he served on the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Shannon earned his BA degree at Johns Hopkins University and his JD at George Washington University School of Law.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.