The American Fire Sprinkler Association is pleased to announce that Jamil Shamoon, owner of Symons Fire Protection in San Diego, California, been elected by his peers as recipient of AFSA's 2020 Young Professional of the Year award for his efforts and dedication to education and expanding the fire sprinkler industry and the association.
The award highlights the efforts of a young and talented fire protection professional, who is under 40 and demonstrates exemplary technical, professional and inclusive leadership skills not only in their own businesses, but also at a national level.
Successful contracting company
By investing his sweat equity and never being one to say ‘no’ to an opportunity, Shamoon has built a successful contracting company with over 90 employees serving Southern California. When asked about how he made such a remarkable career progression from helper to owner in just 20 years, Shamoon said with his trademark humility: "I never said 'no' to anything. I was always the first one to volunteer, but not selfishly. I never asked, 'What am I going to get out of this?' I just wanted to help get the job done right and gain as much experience as I could in the meantime."
Shamoon believes his practical field knowledge paired with his education better prepared him to take on all the responsibilities that came with being vice president, then president, of a fire sprinkler company. A big proponent of investing in his people, he is always looking for ways to give his employees the opportunity to hone their skills.
Fire sprinkler industry
Shamoon has also served the fire sprinkler industry in several volunteer leadership positions
Shamoon has also served the fire sprinkler industry in several volunteer leadership positions, such as chair of the American Fire Sprinkler Association's (AFSA) San Diego Chapter. His company has also donated and installed residential sprinkler systems in homes for wounded Veterans.
Through his local International Code Council (ICC) chapter, he has trained Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and building department officials on codes and inspections. Shamoon is also a board member of the San Diego County's Specialty Contractors Council (SCC) for the Building Industry (BIA), and was named the 'Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Trade Contractor of the Year' in 2015 by the San Diego County BIA. In his free time, Shamoon and his wife of 22 years are active in their church, leading small groups for young families and couples when they are not with their four children-Elias, 18; Alexia, 14; Adelin, 9; and Aleah, 4.
Promising fire protection
The Young Professional of the Year award honors the contributions of promising fire protection specialists and serves to reaffirm the growing importance of fire sprinkler knowledge among the next generation of industry leaders. The award also seeks to promote the emergence of young, talented professionals and inspire companies to invest even more in the development and excellence of the profession.
Due to COVID-19, alternative plans were made to present the award to Shamoon. The award is typically presented during the general session at the annual AFSA Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition, which was postponed this year due to the global pandemic. The award presentation and acceptance was broadcast at AFSA's first-ever virtual General Session.
