Executives

For over 20 years, Valley Fire has enjoyed steady growth under the guidance and leadership of the current executive team. Please take a minute to meet our leaders:

Tom Hartel, President

Mr. Hartel has served as President of Valley Fire Protection Systems since 1995. Prior to joining Valley, Mr. Hartel was Treasurer with
K & S Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. located in Bellwood, IL

Mr. Hartel graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. in Business Administration where he majored in Finance. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business with specializations in Finance and Accounting. As a young man, Tom earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 13, Northern Illinois Chapter.

Tom plays a leadership role in numerous industry trade associations, and BOMA/Suburban Chicago named him "Associate of the Year " in December 2005.

Mr. Hartel is active with several charitable organizations, and he resides in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with his wife and three children.

John G. Flynn, Vice President

Mr. Flynn has served as Vice President of Valley Fire Protection Systems, since 1988. Prior to joining Valley, Mr. Flynn was Vice President with Chicago Sprinklers Corporation which was located in Carol Stream, IL and then purchased by K & S Automatic Sprinklers, Inc.

Mr. Flynn entered the Fire Sprinkler Industry as an apprentice with Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 281 in 1972 and is a member in good standing.

Mr. Flynn is active with several charitable organizations, and resides in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with his wife. They have two children and three grandchildren.

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Departmental Managers

Steve Ekberg, Construction Superintendent

Steve Ekberg started in the fire sprinkler industry as a pipe fitter back in 1985, joining Valley in 1997. He has been instrumental in maintaining high-quality installation standards while also getting the work done safely and on-schedule. As Construction Superintendent, he manages 40 field employees.

Ellen Fontanetta, Project Manager

Ellen Fontanetta has been in the fire protection industry since 1985, and has been Valley’s Project Manager since 2003. Her primary focus is on managing the company’s many large contracts. She is currently pursuing her MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Brad Johnson, Purchasing/Shop Manager

Brad Johnson began his Valley career as a driver in 2003, and was promoted to his current role in 2007. As Purchasing/Shop Manager, he is responsible for pipe fabrication, materials procurement, fleet management, customer relations and quality control.

Rob McCue, Inspection Department Manager

Rob McCue came to Valley as a field inspector in 2001. Valley’s multimillion-dollar Inspection department has enjoyed consistent, profitable growth since he became Inspection Department Manager in 2007.

Robert Martin, Engineering Manager

Robert Martin joined Valley as the company’s first-ever in-house engineer/designer in 2001. In the decade since, he has assumed the role of Engineering Manager and designed and co-managed our most significant construction projects.

Linda Smith, Service Department Manager

Linda Smith joined Valley’s Inspection department in 2002, and has since moved on to head our Service department. Linda manages and schedules a team of nine full-time service technicians that completes more than 1,000 repairs each year.