The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the appointment of Steve Scala as vice president of corporate development. In this new role, Scala will be leading efforts to build NFPA's global growth business through 'inorganic' growth methods, primarily partnerships, mergers, and the acquisition of other business entities.

"Steve is an experienced global business leader with an extraordinary track record of helping organizations envision, build, and implement strategies for growth," said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. "His unique skill set, knowledge, and experience will help NFPA have a bigger and more direct impact in achieving our safety mission."

Most recently, Steve served as executive vice president of Corporate Development for DiCentral, a software services company. During his eight years in that role, and in other strategy and development positions he has held at GXS, General Electric, and IBM over his 40-year professional career, Steve has executed corporate merger and acquisition plans – from start to finish.

“The world evolves quickly and so do the fire and life safety risks. As a recognized leader in reducing loss, NFPA seeks to greatly expand our ability to help solve the persistent and emerging fire, life, and electrical safety problems through our current work as well as adding an aligned portfolio,” Pauley said.