Firestop Designated Responsible Individuals

Wall Systems employs two firestop DRIs that are charged with maintaining the integrity of the firestop division. Their primary duty is to ensure the proper selection and installation of approved firestop assemblies.

This is a technically intensive position that requires thorough review of plans, specification as well as firestop assembly specifications. The review process extends to the jobsite, where conditions must meet exact specifications or it is not in conformance.

Additionally, the DRIs responsible for reviewing our quality control manual for effectiveness and suitability.

Russell A. Budd, DRI

Russell Budd is the president and founder of Wall Systems, Inc. of Southwest Florida. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida in 1981. He is a licensed Certified General Contractor, a licensed Real Estate Broker as well as one of the firms DRIs.

In his twenty-eight years of experience, Russell has been involved in a variety of projects as well as trade associations. Among his most notable achievements are his leadership roles with the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, the Collier Building Industry Association, the Collier County Planning Commission, the Florida Home Builders Association and the Florida Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association.

In 1992, the United States Gypsum Company gave him the "CEO Award." In 1994, the Collier Building Industry Association named him "Builder of the Year" and in 2009 inducted Russell into the Collier Building Industry Hall of Fame.

James McCandless, DRI

James McCandless is a Vice President with Wall Systems. He has been with the company, literally since the doors opened in 1986.

Since becoming a DRI in 2001, James has built a solid reputation among fire inspectors for his jobsite management on firestop projects. He has lead the firestop division on projects such as:

Callista at Fiddler's Creek - a 136 unit Coach Home development.

5th / 3rd Bank Building - eight floors of firestopping electrical rooms.

Naples Grande Resort (formerly the Registry Resort) - an eighteen floor, 300 room resort.

Cypress Cove Assisted Living Facility - a 537,000 sft assisted living facility with multiple wall penetrations for medical equipment.

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