July 15, 2026 - WOODS CROSS, UTAH –WireTech, a leader in integrated low-voltage and fire safety systems, today announced the appointment of James Barnett as Chief Compliance Officer. Barnett joins WireTech following five years as a Fire Alarm Plans Examiner for the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office, where he served as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for fire alarm systems statewide.
In the fire safety industry, compliance is the baseline for all operations. By bringing a former state official in-house, WireTech aims to move beyond basic compliance toward "Precision Engineering." Barnett’s role will focus on ensuring that fire and life safety systems are designed with the exact requirements needed to protect property and life without the unnecessary costs of over-engineering.
“In our industry, everyone strives for compliance, but James understands the ‘why’ behind the code better than anyone,” said
Joe O’Keefe, CEO of WireTech. “His ability to interpret state statutes and apply them during the design phase means our projects are commissioned faster and more accurately. It’s about delivering the highest standard of safety with maximum efficiency for our partners.”
Barnett’s career in the fire alarm industry spans nearly 20 years, ranging from field technician roles at companies like Siemens and AAA Fire Safety to his recent regulatory role with the state. At WireTech, he will oversee the compliance lifecycle for Fire & Life Safety systems—which represent the vast majority of the company’s regulatory requirements—while acting as a senior advisor for the company’s broader low-voltage technology installations.
“My goal is to protect the people, the projects, and the properties we serve by getting the details right the first time,” said
James Barnett. “I’ve spent years reviewing plans from the state level. Joining WireTech allows me to apply that experience at the ground level, ensuring that our designs meet the state’s highest expectations while remaining cost-effective and timely for developers and contractors.”
