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EAST SETAUKET, NEW YORK — On December 7, 2018, Foos Fire, Inc. a New York State Certified WBE (Woman-Owned Business Enterprise) gathered to celebrate its tenth anniversary in business.
Paired with its highly anticipated annual holiday party at Danford’s of Port Jefferson, NY, the company entertained guests, including all its close-knit team of valued employees, established vendors as well as esteemed new and longtime clients. Attendees were treated to live music, well deserved raffle gifts and an incredible spread of holiday cuisine. In this elegant atmosphere, the family-oriented feeling shined through as many friendly faces happily celebrated their team’s accomplishments. “We all look forward to our annual holiday party but this one was big, this one was also our 10th year in business celebration, it was a blast” says Kristie Roche Johnson, Owner.
The women of Foos Fire – Left to Right, Danielle Cuocco, Natalia Giraldo, Genesis LeBron (Inspection Dept) Kristi Figliozzi (Accounting) Kathleen McKosky (HR), Leidy Arias (Gen Manager), Viviana Ingham (Service A/R), Tamar Paustian (Project Manager) and Amber Tamberino (Service Dept) Missing: Stacie Roche (Director of New England), Lisa Cournoyer (Inspection A/R), Heather Martin (New England administrator), Patricia Walsh (Quality Control).
From inception, on December 16, 2008, Kristie Roche Johnson, Owner, President and Founder has been at the helm cultivating the exponential growth the company has sustained over the years. This year was no exception as this anniversary was perfectly bookmarked by the business receiving its WBE certification in June of 2018. “I’ve seen what this certification has done for other companies, but I had no idea how quickly the growth would elevate, we all just dug our feet in and are holding on tight”, she said.
As forecasted, as a result of the WBE, Foos has already seen an influx of work awarded to its construction division with many newly on-board projects. As well as many prospective projects seeking out its services because of its WBE credentials, specifically with many developers, as there are many ongoing revitalization projects on the island. Additionally, its service and inspection divisions have been awarded contracts with local municipalities and other funded entities that require the certification.
Foos Fire started off with only a few employees and 80 fire sprinkler inspections accounts which have now evolved to present day, with close to 50 employees, well over 2500 service and inspection accounts in the Northeast, and the company’s completion of close to 500 installation and renovation projects. Currently, servicing Long Island, all the downstate regions of New York, multiple states in New England, and, through its sister company, the five boroughs of New York City; the company continues to provide new installations, testing/inspections, and service/maintenance of fire sprinkler systems.
When recalling the company’s past, long time indispensable employee, Kathleen McKosky remembers, “We would be working with a huge map of Long Island, marking stops with post its, figuring out where the techs would go. I’m so proud of Kristie, of us.” Fast-forward to 10 years later, through Ms. Johnson’s ability to innovate based upon her early background in computer IT, the company offers unmatched technological advantages including, a digital portal access with on the fly, real time reporting to its clients in addition to its ‘green initiatives’ where we are virtually paperless in most aspects of the company.
So, what is the formula for Foos’ success? Ms. Johnson believes “a large part of what makes Foos successful is the Foos community; it’s employees, customers, & vendors. We all just work really hard, it really is that simple – we are excited and we respect each other.”
In the year to come Ms. Johnson and her team intend to continue to nurture their long-term relationships, as well as setting their sights on further establishing the business in the industry and continuing to evolve in whatever way allows them to best serve the company’s clients. When Leidy Arias, the company’s General Manager is prompted for information about what the future offers, Ms. Arias proposes, “we will continue to work hard, it hasn’t failed us yet” she says with a smile “The sky really is the limit, unless of course they start to build in outer-space, if and when that happens – we will find a way”.
Check out the Holiday and Anniversary pics on Foos Fire’s Facebook page.
Left to Right Peter & Maria Cuccia, long time friends and owners of Alpine Bakery, Kristie Roche Johnson, owner of Foos Fire with husband Christopher Johnson.
For more information, call (631) 689-6869 or visit www.foosfire.com.
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About Foos Fire Inc.
Foos Fire Inc. provides installation services on any project large or small, specializing in retail chain stores, banks and investment companies, office buildings, big-box stores, restaurants, hospitality centers, churches, hospitals, educational facilities, and industrial spaces. Services include installations, inspections, repairs and upgrades, testing, violation corrections, design consultations, account management and 24/7 emergency services. The company installs wet, dry, pre-action, deluge, anti-freeze, ESFR and in-rack systems while strictly adhering to NFPA 25 and NFPA 13 guidelines. Foos Fire has locations in East Setauket, New York; New York, New York; and Bridgewater, Massachusetts. For more information, call (631) 689-6869 or visit www.foosfire.com.
