We build leaders

Gene Postma (President)

Gene Postma's long range goal for WSFP is to continue to grow the company into the premier fire protection company in the United States as recognized by its customers, competitors and employees. This will be accomplished by developing the future leaders of the industry at WSFP.

Gene started his career with WSFP in 2004, but has spent his entire career involved with the construction industry. Right out of high school he spent 10 years as a carpenter/foreman and finally as a superintendent. In 1987 he returned to college to receive his Civil/Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University, and graduated with distinction.

After one year as a project engineer with Cherne Contracting, Gene began a 12-year career with EFCO, first as a project/design engineer and finished as senior vice president, with both domestic and international responsibilities.

Gene stays involved with the fire protection industry as a board member for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), plus several committees, including the Labor Negotiations Committee. He also continues his involvement with Iowa State as a member of the Engineering Advisory Council. Beyond his profession, he also enjoys spending time with his wife, Sue, and their three children, Steven, Adam and Emily.

Rick Charles (Executive Vice-President)

Rick started his career with WSFP in 1994 right out of college. He began as a Designer in the Duluth, MN office. A year later he transferred to Las Vegas when the Duluth office merged with Viking Sprinkler (another APi Group company).

While in Vegas, he was promoted to Project Manager and spent most of his time working on the New York, New York Hotel and Casino. Rick later moved to Colorado where he spent the next eight years establishing and growing the Colorado Springs office for WSFP as an Area Manager.

In 2003, Rick moved his family to Seattle, Washington to become the Northwest Regional Manager for WSFP. In 2005 Rick was promoted to Vice President and he and his family relocated back to Colorado, the place they had always loved, to work at WSFP's corporate office.

Rick stays very involved in the Fire Sprinkler industry through his Union and Vendor relations. He is also on several committees, including the JATC and multiple labor negotiation committees.

Through the training and development of Western States current and future leaders, Rick continues to push WSFP to become the premier fire protection company in the U.S. as recognized by its customers, competitors and employees. Rick currently lives in Colorado with his wife Cheryl and their two children, Lauren and RJ.

Jeff Daane (Vice President)

After college, Jeff began his career with WSFP in the Dallas, TX office in 1987 as a Designer/Project Manager. After a couple of years there, he was transferred to Denver and continued to excel in Project Management. Jeff successfully completed some of the largest projects in the Rocky Mountain Region.

In 1995 Jeff was promoted to Service Manager for the Denver office, which he expanded to included Inspections and Residential work. In a competitive residential market Jeff built what remains the largest Residential department within WSFP.

2003 saw yet another growth opportunity for Jeff. WSFP had a small office in Rapid City, SD that was in need of some attention in order to thrive, and he was asked to accept the position of Area Manager. The Rapid City office became so successful under Jeff's supervision that it spawned two satellite offices to help cover the large territory they serviced.

In July, 2007, Jeff met another challenge by accepting his current position of Vice President. He now travels extensively to support WSFP offices throughout the country, their managers and staff with his knowledge and experience in the industry.

When he's not juggling his responsibilities as a WSFP executive, Jeff enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Lori and their two children, Sydney and Ben. He and his family still call Rapid City home.