Growing Up With AWRF: A Second-Generation Story

By: Jimmy Laub - Fulcrum Lifting

The lifting and rigging industry is built on the people who have dedicated their careers to doing things the right way, prioritizing safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Organizations like AWRF (Associated Wire Rope Fabricators) have played a key role in shaping industry standards and bringing professionals together to share knowledge and experience.

We’re grateful to see that legacy recognized in Slingmakers Magazine’s new series AWRF Pioneers & Long-Standing Members which is highlighting the individuals who have helped build and guide the association over the years. In a recent feature, “Growing Up With AWRF: A Second-Generation Story” our President, John Fireovid, is included as part of that ongoing story.

"AWRF PIONEERS & LONG-STANDING MEMBERS

Editor’s Note: To mark the 50th anniversary of AWRF, we are proud to introduce a new series celebrating the pioneers who helped build this association and shape our industry. These articles highlight the accomplishments of AWRF’s long-standing members, as well as the family members and successors who stepped forward to lead the next chapter. Through their reflections, they share what they’ve learned, why they value AWRF, and how the organization has influenced their careers and the industry as a whole.

While technology and practices have evolved over the years, AWRF’s core mission has remained constant. Our commitment to safety and to the personal and professional growth of our members continues to define who we are, even as we remain open to growth and new developments that strengthen the industry. This series honors the individuals who built the foundation while looking ahead to the next 50 years and the opportunities still to come.

Growing Up With AWRF: A Second-Generation Story

John Fireovid, President of Fulcrum Lifting, was introduced to AWRF as a child when his parents packed their fancy clothes and headed to the association’s conferences across the country. Even then, he knew these events were special.

Decades later, he was working at Fulcrum Lifting, the firm owned by his father, Mel Fireovid.

In 2002, Fireovid attended his first AWRF conference with his parents in Montreal, Quebec. It was his first visit outside of the United States. At the opening cocktail hour, the room was packed, and he recalls that his parents seemed to know everyone. “I followed my mom and dad around like a puppy,” he says, both intimidated and fascinated as he watched them reconnect with people across the industry. He also remembers playing the coldest round of golf he’s ever played.

That first conference, more than two decades ago, taught John Fireovid about the value of AWRF relationships. Attendees learn best practices at these conferences. But perhaps just as important is meeting industry professionals, building trust, and discovering who to call when you need help.

Stepping Into Leadership

John Fireovid is proud to continue the legacy of running Fulcrum Lifting, founded by his father in 1981. He grew up around the business and spent summers in high school and college working in the shop before joining the company full-time in 2001 in inside sales.

Today, Cincinnati-based Fulcrum Lifting operates five branches in Ohio and Indiana, but its roots trace back to the company his father started more than four decades ago.

When Mel Fireovid became ill, John took over as president in 2010 at age 30. He says many long-term employees and AWRF colleagues were available to offer guidance as he grew in his role. In particular, he names Mike Parham, Mark Reeves, Frank Becker and Kathy Petrick as mentors.

Understanding the Industry’s Importance

Fireovid says his appreciation of the industry has increased over the years. One early AWRF presentation permanently changed how John saw the industry.

Former AWRF leader and wire rope expert Don Sayenga once spoke about suspension bridges and the role wire rope plays in their design. One of his examples was the John A Roebling Suspension Bridge spanning Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. Fireovid had driven past this landmark bridge located near his home countless times without a second thought. Now he often remembers that AWRF presentation as he drives over the bridge. (Sayenga, who died in 2019, was the AWRF Chief Executive Officer for 16 years.)

Members often comment that the industry’s value becomes evident when you know what to look for. “There are so many things our industry touches,” he says. “You might not see it, but you know it’s needed to get the end result.”

Shared Knowledge in Action

That sense of industry support becomes most visible when the stakes are high. Fireovid turned to AWRF for help when his company faced an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) citation involving a swaging machine.

While common in rigging shops, the machine is often misunderstood by regulators because it resembles other types of industrial presses. With AWRF’s backing, Fulcrum Lifting responded with documented best practices and industry-supported guidance.

Association leaders provided technical materials and helped frame the company’s response, demonstrating that the equipment was safely operated in accordance with recognized standards. The result was significant: the complaint was withdrawn.

For Fireovid, the experience reinforced what AWRF represents at its best. It’s a collective voice that helps individual companies navigate challenges no one should have to solve alone.

Mentorship and the Role of Pioneers

AWRF’s greatest strength isn’t just technical knowledge, it’s the people willing to share it, he says.

When Fireovid joined the AWRF board early in his career, experienced leaders helped him find his footing. Some offered direct advice. Others simply modeled how to listen, observe, and carry themselves in a room full of seasoned professionals. “They just kind of took me under their wing,” he says. “They mentored me.”

He believes that spirit of mentorship is one of the association’s most important traditions. Pioneers, in his view, serve as stewards of institutional memory. Their role is to explain why things were built a certain way, share lessons learned, and then trust the next generation to lead the future. That balance of honoring experience while welcoming change is what keeps the organization evolving without losing its identity.

Guarding Your Reputation

In an industry as specialized and interconnected as lifting and rigging, Fireovid says reputation travels fast. The same relationships that make AWRF supportive also demand accountability. Over time, he’s learned that technical skill alone isn’t enough; character matters just as much.

“You’ve got to guard and keep your reputation high,” he says. In a community where competitors still sit at the same table, fairness and respect aren’t optional.

Mistakes happen, he adds, but owning them and treating people honestly builds long-term trust. That shared understanding helps maintain the association’s close-knit culture, where members compete in the marketplace but still look out for the industry’s overall health.

The Power of AWRF Membership

After more than two decades of attending meetings, Fireovid says the reason he keeps coming back is simple: the people. While the business value is real — vendor relationships, technical updates, and industry discussions — the friendships built over time are what anchor his commitment.

Many of those connections began as professional acquaintances and evolved into trusted relationships. In a field where companies compete daily, AWRF creates space for mutual respect and collaboration. Members share lessons learned, compare challenges, and celebrate each other’s successes.

“I really look forward to connecting with people who’ve become my friends,” he says. “That’s a big part of it.”

Looking Ahead

As AWRF moves into its next chapter, Fireovid believes the organization’s strength will depend on continuing to adapt while holding onto its core purpose. Industry consolidation, generational turnover, and evolving business models mean the audience inside the room is changing. He sees that as an opportunity rather than a threat.

The association, he says, is already shifting its focus deeper into member companies. It’s reaching sales teams, shop leaders, and younger professionals who work directly with products and customers. That broader engagement ensures knowledge doesn’t stay at the ownership level but spreads throughout the workforce.

For pioneers and long-time members, he sees an important role: explain the “why” behind established practices, then trust emerging leaders to decide what comes next. That balance between tradition and progress is what will carry AWRF forward.

After 50 years, Fireovid believes the formula that built the association still holds: bring the right people together, share what you know, and the industry will continue to grow stronger.

For Fireovid, the anniversary marks more than a milestone for the association it mirrors his own journey. He entered AWRF as the next generation, watching pioneers at work. Now, he’s part of the group shaping what comes next. Fifty years in, the tradition continues: learn from those before you, then pass it forward." (2026), Growing Up With AWRF: A Second-Generation Story, Slingmakers, Issue 188,18-19,77

John humbly shared this statement regarding his experience.

"I work with a great team in an awesome industry!

I recently participated in an interview for the Associated Wire Rope Fabricator’s (AWRF) Slingmakers publication discussing the topic of growing up as a second-generation rigging shop operator.

I have been so blessed to be a part of this industry & this company. While rigging, lifting equipment & wire rope isn’t at the forethought of most people’s minds, companies like ours supply foundational tools & services essential for most things built & consumed in our lives.

AWRF is an organization that has supported our team through shared knowledge & connections that make us better. It’s a privilege to be a participant in this association and we’re always looking forward to what’s next!" - John Fireovid

At the end of the day, involvement in organizations like AWRF isn’t about recognition, it’s about continuing to learn, share knowledge, and help move the industry forward. That commitment directly benefits the customers and partners we serve. IT helps ensure the solutions, products, and guidance they rely on are backed by experience and a deeper understanding of the work. We’re grateful to be part of an industry built on that kind of collaboration and look forward to continuing to support it in the years ahead.