The Evolution of Priest & Associates Consulting

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Since its founding in 2010, Priest & Associates Consulting (PAC) has grown from a specialized fire testing consultancy into a broader technical resource supporting fire testing, engineering evaluations, code compliance, and product approvals across the building materials industry.

What makes PAC unique is the foundation on which it was built.

While many firms in the industry originate primarily from fire protection engineering backgrounds, PAC was formed by professionals with decades of direct experience in fire testing laboratories, standards development, product evaluation, and test equipment design. That testing experience continues to shape the practical, technical approach PAC brings to every project. Today, PAC continues expanding its capabilities through broader engineering evaluation, code report, and regulatory support services, including recent growth in structural engineering and fire protection consulting through strategic additions and teaming relationships.

Building a Foundation in Fire Testing

PAC was founded by Deg Priest in June 2010 following a career spanning more than four decades in fire testing and laboratory operations.

Before establishing PAC, Deg served in leadership roles across the industry, including as one of the founders of Omega Point Laboratories and later as Global Senior Director of Operations for Intertek’s Building Materials division. His experience included fire test equipment design, laboratory construction, standards development, and management of large-scale fire testing operations.

In January 2011, Javier Trevino joined as the company’s first partner, expanding PAC’s expertise in laboratory design, fire test systems, software automation, and large-scale calorimetry testing.

Together, Deg and Javier provided turnkey solutions for fire laboratories, combining practical testing knowledge with custom equipment design, controls, instrumentation, and software development.

Expanding Into Engineering Evaluations & Compliance

In 2012, Howard Stacy joined the partnership and helped expand PAC’s work into code compliance consulting and engineering judgments. He was also heavily involved in the development of standards related to evaluating materials for resisting Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) fires.

Howard brought extensive experience in fire testing, third-party certification, and standards development, including leadership roles at Western Fire Center, Intertek, and Southwest Research Institute. His expertise helped support manufacturers seeking practical solutions for extending tested assemblies and navigating increasingly complex code requirements.

Over the following decade, PAC continued evolving from a testing-focused consultancy into a broader engineering and compliance resource. The company’s work increasingly centered on engineering evaluations, code analysis, product development support, and project-specific compliance strategies for manufacturers, designers, and construction professionals.

Supporting the Full Path to Product Approval

In 2023, Mike Luna joined the partnership, bringing additional experience in testing, inspections, certifications, and international operations.

Mike’s background includes leadership roles at Southwest Research Institute, Intertek, NTA, and ICC-NTA, where he helped expand testing capabilities, certification programs, and fire evaluation services. His addition further strengthened PAC’s ability to support clients throughout the full lifecycle of testing, evaluation, certification, and product approval.

Expanding Fire Protection & Life Safety Services

PAC’s continued growth also included the establishment of a teaming relationship with Fire Protection Consultant Group (FPCG) in 2025.

Through this collaboration, PAC expanded its capabilities in fire protection and life safety consulting services, including fire protection system design, smoke control analysis, performance-based design, life safety code consulting, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) coordination.

The relationship complements PAC’s longstanding expertise in fire testing, engineering evaluations, and code compliance while providing clients with a broader, more integrated technical resource.

Expanding Technical & Code Compliance Capabilities

Most recently, PAC expanded its technical capabilities further with the addition of William Utsey, P.E., as Vice President of Technical Services.

Will’s experience in structural engineering, evaluation reports, and building code compliance developed through leadership roles at ICC-ES supports PAC’s continued growth in code reports, product evaluations, and regulatory support services.

PAC Today

Today, PAC’s combined team brings more than 130 years of experience in fire testing, standards development, engineering evaluations, certifications, and code compliance.

From fire test planning and engineering judgments to product approvals and code reports, PAC continues to apply its testing-rooted perspective to help clients solve complex technical and compliance challenges across the building materials industry.