For many firefighters, retirement marks the end of a career. For Jon, it simply marked a new chapter in the same mission.
After decades of serving his community as a firefighter, lieutenant, and ultimately District Chief, Jon recently retired from the fire service. Today, he brings that same commitment to protecting lives and property to Summit Companies, where he serves as Director of Pricing.
His career is a reminder that while the uniforms may change, the mission often stays the same.
A Calling to Serve
Long before spreadsheets and pricing strategies, Jon was drawn to a career built on service.
“I’ve always wanted to do something where I could serve others,” he said. “Firefighting appealed to me because it combined that sense of service with the excitement and challenge of responding to emergencies. It was a way to give back to the community while demanding more of myself at the same time.”
That commitment carried him through every stage of his fire service career, from firefighter to District Chief. Looking back, what stands out most isn’t a single incident or promotion, it’s the people.
“I’m proud that I had the opportunity to serve my community and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Jon said. “I’m also proud of the firefighters I had the chance to lead and mentor. Seeing the culture, we worked to build continue after my retirement brings a real sense of pride.”
Lessons That Never Leave You
Years spent responding to emergencies leave a lasting impression.
As a District Chief, Jon learned that leadership isn’t about reacting to chaos, it’s about bringing calm to it.
“Showing panic on a fire scene has a direct impact on your crew,” he explained. “You have to stay focused on the goal, make decisions calmly and quickly with the facts available, and trust your team to execute. That mindset applies everywhere.”
Those same leadership principles guide him today.
He also credits the fire service with teaching him the importance of perspective.
“I use the phrase Memento Mori‘ remember you must die.’ It’s a reminder that every day is valuable because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. That perspective influences how I approach work, leadership, and life.”
Bringing Fire Service Experience to Summit
Interestingly, Jon’s journey to Summit began years before he joined the company.
“When I first joined the fire department, I drove past Summit Fire Protection in Lino Lakes every day on my way to work,” he recalled. “I remember checking the website to see if they had any finance or accounting positions because combining my finance career with my firefighting experience just made sense.”
The opportunity didn’t exist then.
When it finally did, three years ago, he didn’t hesitate.
Today, that unique combination of financial expertise and operational fire protection knowledge helps him bridge the gap between field operations and business strategy.
“I understand sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, how they work, and how they can fail,” he said. “That’s operational knowledge many finance professionals don’t have. It helps our pricing team better understand the markets we serve and translate the incredible work our branches do into stronger business outcomes.”
Prevention Is the Mission
Although Jon no longer responds to emergency calls, he doesn’t feel disconnected from the fire service.
In many ways, he believes he’s still accomplishing the same mission.
“Fire prevention has always been the ultimate goal of every fire department,” he said. “Outside of public education, the products and services Summit provides are one of the best ways to achieve that.”
Having witnessed countless emergency responses firsthand, Jon has seen the difference functioning fire protection systems make.
“I’ve seen fires where an alarm or sprinkler activated early and what could have been a devastating structure fire became a simple ‘fire out’ situation with little to no property damage. Those experiences reinforce that prevention is just as important as emergency response.”
While his role has changed, his purpose has not.
“My role is different today, but the mission is the same.”
Leadership Built on Service
Ask Jon what makes a great leader, and his answer comes quickly: servant leadership.
“To me, a great leader exists to help others succeed by providing support, removing obstacles, and creating opportunities for growth,” he said. “The best measure of a leader is the leaders they develop.”
That philosophy extends to teamwork, something he believes is just as important in business as it is in the fire service.
“In firefighting, we use the term ‘freelancing’ when someone acts independently instead of following the incident plan. The same concept applies at Summit. Everyone has a role to play, and success depends on understanding how your work contributes to the bigger picture.”
More Than a Career
Jon’s story reflects something found throughout Summit Companies: many of our employees remain actively engaged in the fire and life safety industry beyond their day-to-day roles. Whether through volunteer service, professional organizations, code development, or years of experience in emergency response, those connections strengthen the expertise we bring to our customers every day.
For Jon, coming to Summit wasn’t about leaving the fire service behind. It was about finding another way to make an impact.
“I enjoy working in a culture that values initiative and encourages people to take ownership,” he said. “Knowing the work we do behind the scenes helps our field teams succeed is rewarding. When you combine that culture with the products and services Summit provides, it’s easy to be excited about what we do and where we’re headed.”
His fire helmet may now be retired, but his commitment to protecting lives and supporting those around him remains as strong as ever.