SFPE Names Jose Luis Fernández as New European Director

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland, December 20, 2018 — SFPE has selected José Luis Fernández as its first European director. In this new role, Fernández will work on a part-time basis to lead SFPE’s efforts in developing a long-term presence in Europe by managing program development and meeting logistics for SFPE’s bi-annual conference and other events in Europe; providing support and coordination for SFPE chapter events throughout Europe; creating stronger member engagement in Europe; reviewing and updating SFPE courses and educational materials to ensure alignment with European codes and standards; developing and strengthening relationships with universities and research groups throughout Europe; and identifying and developing local partnerships, among other activities. He is currently secretary of SFPE’s Spanish chapter and speaks Spanish, English and French.

“We are delighted to add José Luis Fernández to our staff and look forward to increased interaction with our European colleagues, as well as improved fire protection strategies, as a result of his efforts,” said SFPE CEO Nicole Boston.

Fernández is a mechanical and industrial engineer with degrees from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas ICAI in Madrid, Spain and the University of Birmingham in the UK. He also has an MBA from the Instituto de Empresa, IE, and a master’s in health and safety from Instituto Madrileño de Formación. He has taken the European Active Fire Protection Course in the Netherlands; training in environmental audits; and courses in business management, business administration at AXA University in France, and machinery breakdown in alternative generation power plants (solar and wind).

Fernández was trained as a fire engineer at Kemper Insurance’s laboratory in Long Grove, Illinois USA, which included accompanying engineers on projects in the USA. He began his career by working for AXA-Kemper-HPR, a company specializing in fire protection with headquarters in Paris, France. In Spain he managed AON and AON Risk Consultants and March-JLT in their consultancy and claim departments, including all technical aspects of the risk (fire, environment, health and safety) and of the insurance loss claim process (adjusting, administration, etc.).

In 2009, Fernández launched his own company, Pacifico Risk Consultants, which provides fire protection consulting services to clients in Europe. He also participates in risk consulting projects, both prescriptive and performance-based, for a variety of multinational companies.

Fernández also has been a software developer for the Spanish Air Force’s Cartography and Photography Centre and has worked with the Alternative Technology Centre at Llwyngwern Quarry, UK, and on electricity and structures projects for architecture’s offices.

In his new role as SFPE’s European director, Fernández will report to the SFPE CEO in Gaithersburg, MD USA, and coordinate activities with staff and SFPE European Chapter leadership.