Engineering & Standards Committee

Great Guy!

Director of Operations | Navy Veteran | Life Safety Leader Ryan is a dedicated life safety professional with over 30 years of experience in the fire protection industry. A proud Navy veteran, he brings discipline, leadership, and technical expertise honed through military service to every aspect of his civilian career. He has spent the last 27 years with Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, steadily advancing through a wide spectrum of field, technical, and leadership roles. Starting as a Helper, Ryan has served as a Fitter, Foreman, Designer, Trainer, Design Manager, and Branch Manager—culminating in his current role as Director of Operations. His diverse experience gives him a comprehensive understanding of fire protection systems, operations, and team management from the ground up. Ryan holds multiple professional credentials, including being a Florida Fire Sprinkler Contractor I, Florida Fire Alarm Contractor, NICET IV Water Based, NICET II Fire Alarm, NICET I Special Hazards. He currently serves as the President of the Florida Fire Sprinkler Association (FFSA), where he champions industry best practices and legislative advocacy to protect people and property statewide. Nationally, Ryan contributes to the advancement of fire safety standards through his involvement as a member of several NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) technical committees. His voice and insights help shape the codes that govern life safety across the country. Through his leadership, technical acumen, and commitment to service, Ryan Peterson continues to play a vital role in elevating safety standards and fostering excellence within the fire protection industry.

Melisa Rodriguez is Sr. Manager, Industry Relations with Johnson Controls. She is a licensed Fire Protection Professional Engineer with 21 years of experience in the industry and has held various roles including Project Manager, Designer, Lead Fire Protection Engineer, and Senior Business Development Manager. She is NICET certified Level IV in Water Based Systems Layout. She earned her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and MBA from the University of Minnesota located in Minneapolis, MN. Melisa serves on the MN board of licensure (AELSLAGID), is Vice-Chair of the MN Governor’s Council for Fire Prevention and Control, a principal member of NFPA 14, 13R/13D and 88A Technical Committees, alternate member of the NFPA 13 Discharge Committee, NFSA Future Leadership Committee Vice-Chair, SFPE Virtual Learning Subcommittee Chair, and Past President of the MN Chapter Society of Fire Protection Engineers.