Sinclair360

Dave Craynon believes that Sinclair Community College is a diamond nestled in the heart of the Miami Valley. Perhaps that’s why the business owner turned his focus to the college, when he was looking for ways to give back to the community. 

As owner of Craynon Fire Protection, Craynon has served as the company representative on the advisory board of Sinclair’s Fire Science Technology program for several years now. So it was easy for him to identify a tangible way for his business – which installs, services and inspects fire-suppression systems – to help the school.

 Over the course of a year or two, Craynon’s business has totally transformed the program’s fire and sprinkler lab. The lab helps students experience a simulated building fire and sprinkler system in a contained environment.

 Craynon determined early on that the original lab, created nearly 15 years ago, was due for an upgrade. He approached his vendors and asked them for donations for the lab, even purchasing some equipment himself. Then he donated the time of his own staff to upgrade existing equipment and install new. The result: a top-of-the-line lab in which Sinclair students can grow and learn.

 Craynon is just one reason that Frank Clay, chair of Fire Science Technology, says he lives and dies by his advisory board. They’re the generous time, tangible donations and invaluable advice from such advisory-board members that keep many of Sinclair’s departments at the top of their game.

 Still, for some advisory-board members like Craynon, the appreciation goes both ways. “It is such a good experience,” Craynon said about being on the board. “Not only do we have the opportunity to interact with local fire officials, but we are also able to connect with competitors and prove that it isn’t always a cutthroat industry.”

By Julie Thompson

Julie Thompson is a freelance writer in Dayton, Ohio. She can be reached at thompsonwriting@att.net.