The board of directors of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has announced the unanimous selection of Matthew (Matt) Klaus as the association’s executive vice president/chief operating officer (COO). Established in 1981, AFSA serves as North America’s largest fire sprinkler industry organization. Klaus’ tenure began on April 1, 2025.

“Matt Klaus is an industry leader with a broad base of global industry knowledge and experience that would be hard to match. Having Matt join Team AFSA secures long-term growth and development for our association and its members,” said AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS. “Matt rounds out an already strong staff of fire and life safety professionals and makes AFSA the unsurpassed technical powerhouse in the fire sprinkler industry.”

As executive vice president/COO, Klaus will oversee daily operations, ensure operational efficiency across all departments, and collaborate with AFSA’s experienced team of engineers and other professionals to serve its members and set and meet association goals. Klaus will also represent the association and foster relationships with industry partners to increase the visibility and value of the fire sprinkler industry in support of AFSA’s mission to be the voice of the merit shop fire sprinkler contractor, educating and training the industry while promoting fire protection systems to save lives and property. Klaus has been involved with AFSA for many years, serving as a convention seminar speaker and member of AFSA’s Legislative and Public Education & Awareness Committees.

“I’m thrilled to join the AFSA team and to work closely with all of their members and staff who are focused on making the world safer,” Klaus said. “The hazards that impact our society, including our buildings and their occupants, continue to evolve. I look forward to facing the challenge of mitigating the impact of these hazards with this amazing staff and dedicated membership base.”

Klaus is well known within the fire protection industry and joins AFSA after a 15-year tenure at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). At NFPA, he served as the Principal of the Global Advisors business line in the newly formed NFPA Global Solutions. Prior to that, Klaus served as a Senior Principal Fire Protection Engineer and the Director of Technical Services at NFPA, where he was responsible for products and services related to Fire Protection Engineering.

“Matt is a great addition to our AFSA team. I have known Matt for over 15 years, and he is an outstanding leader who works hard and encourages those around him to excel,” stated AFSA Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE. “Matt’s experience and leadership skills will make AFSA stronger and a driving force in the sprinkler industry.”