Cox Fire Protection, Inc.

Linda Cox is CEO of Cox Fire Protection.  Linda earned her Master of Science degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1982. She has over 15 years of experience in the fire sprinkler industry, partnering with Ron in developing and leading the business strategies of the company. Linda is the major shareholder and qualifies Cox Fire as a Woman Owned Minority Business that holds several WBE certifications with government agencies, including the federal Woman Owned Small Business certification.  Community involvement has always been a core value for Cox Fire Protection, and Linda has been deeply involved in encouraging company-wide participation, as well as being involved on a personal level with various organizations.  She is a Hospice volunteer and is a founding member of Hospice Women of Philanthropy, is a supporter and volunteer for United Way, and is involved on an on-going basis with Redlands Christian Migrant Center, and House of Blessing Orphanage in Haiti.  Linda has been asked to serve on the Board of Directors in the coming year for the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, and is a member and supporter of Associated Builders and Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter.

Richard has been in the fire sprinkler industry since 1972. He enjoys all aspects of fire sprinklers including design, project management, quality control, sales and has devoted many years to apprenticeship training. Since 2000 he has been instructing North Carolina state licensing classes for AFSA   and holds fire sprinkler licenses in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. He has been involved in project of all sizes, high rises, pumps, tanks, pre-action, deluge, foam, military projects, NASA, warehouses, hospitals, power plants and manufacturing. He has taught many AHJ classes in Florida and North Carolina and is NICET level 4 certified and has worked with NICET in developing their new testing format. Hard work and family values are important to him. 

Ron Benke is Branch Manager for Cox Fire Ocala Branch. Ron began his career in the fire protection business in 1972 and has been associated with the fire protection industry for over 30 years including 10 years of experience as an operations manager. He received his Florida Class 1 Contractors License in  2001. He was on the board of directors with the Florida Fire Sprinklers Association from 2000 to 2009. He began with Cox Fire in March 2010 in the sale department and has been the Ocala Branch Manager since October 2010.

Ron began his career in the fire sprinkler industry in 1976, as an apprentice.  He enrolled in ABC's Apprenticeship School, and very quickly became empassioned by the industry.  After working as a fitter, Ron became a skilled designer, then moved into sales.  During this same time, Ron enrolled in the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida.  In the early 1980's Ron's dream to own his own business began to take shape, and in 1984, Cox Fire Protection was incorporated.  Ron's vision was to develop a company based on his personal values, which would provide excellence across the board to his customers, and within which, his employees could progress as quickly and as far as possible according to their own merit.  This past September, Cox Fire celebrated its 25th anniversary under Ron's leadership and the company continues to operate based on its original principles.

Scott is a contract sales representative for Cox Fire Protection. He has earned a bachelor's degree from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. After working in the design department at Cox Fire Protection, where he became NICET Level II certified in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout, he moved into a sales position. Scott focuses his time on new customer development and customer retention. His sales goals target ground-up projects and major renovations.

With over 30 years of experience in Design, Estimating, Sales and Branch/Project Management of Operations in all fire sprinkler systems with expertise in industrial, residential and commercial facilities. Michael is familiar with the regulations of all major Fire Jurisdictions throughout Florida, including, but not limited to all of the Gulf Coast and Southeast Coast of Florida. Michael is a second generation Fire protection expert with the third generation now coming into the fold. Guess you can say it’s in the blood. The Grabenhorst family are regarded as NFPA experts who are able to assist you in all your needs.

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Marquette Universities, residing in the Midwest prior to moving to Florida in 2001. Kevin has over thirty years of experience in the electronic fire and low voltage industry. Kevin spent the vast majority of his career with two of the largest fire alarm equipment manufacturers and service providers in the U.S.,  attaining increasingly responsible and highly successful positions in sales and management.   Kevin is familiar with the Central Florida market including many of its building owners, specialty contractors and fire officials. Kevin has the knowledge and experience to position Cox Fire Protection to be the premier single source provider for all fire related installation and service needs.

I have over 26 years as a a sales professional. I am a proud graduate and former baseball player of Brandon High School and  Hillsbourgh Community College where I earned my AA degree in business management.   I got my start in sales as a door to door sales rep for Omaha Steaks. Was in the banking business as a credit manager before getting a desire to get back into sales. I found my true love was in outside sales. In 1990  I started my sales career as a representative for Rollins Protective Services in Atlanta, Georgia. My first year I earned  Rookie of the Year honors, competing with 52 other offices nationwide. Was a President Club Member each year and later received what I consider my greatest honor by being elected into the Rollins Hall of Fame by earning that status as top ten in sales for the entire company three years in a row. After Rollins was purchased in 1998,  I served as Director of Sales for a top ADT Home Security Dealership opening 12 branch offices in the Southeast handling all the field training for those offices. 

Mark Trimble works in service sales for Cox Fire Protection. Mark is a lifelong resident of the area, graduating from Providence Christian School in 1979. He has 33years of experience in the fire sprinkler industry. Mark sat for his test in 1993 and became a Class 2 Fire Sprinkler Contractor in the State of Florida. In 1997 he opened his own company and ran it until June 2012 when he started to work with Cox Fire Protection. Mark has known Ron Cox for many years and truly appreciates the opportunity to join the Cox Fire Protection family. Mark lives in Plant City and is married with five children. Mark and Rhonda enjoy coaching and watching their children participate in there many sporting activities at Plant City Little League and Seffner Christian School.

Paul is the service sales representative for Cox Fire Protection, Inc. Paul comes from a medical background and worked as a General Manager of a private non-emergency wheelchair transportation company. He is currently working on his tenth year with Cox Fire Protection. Four of those years were spent working in the field while going through the ABC apprenticeship program and the last six years in service sales. His sales goals include service work, tenant improvements and fit-outs, and any major or minor renovation.

Ray Fletcher graduated locally from Leto High School in 1995.  Earned a football scholarship to Benedictine College located in Atchison, Kansas.  Ray has been in the construction industry for over 14 years.  In 2008, Ray was hired on at Cox Fire Protection as a  sprinkler fitter.  3 years later he was promoted to project estimator.  With his attention to detail and eagerness to learn, it has made him a valuable member of the estimating team.  Ray has completed 3 years of the apprenticeship ABC program.  Ray has been a Mason and Shriner for 9 years.  Ray has been involved with Children’s Shriner Hospital to spend time with those less fortunate.  As a proud member of Cox Fire, Ray is looking forward to any, and all possibilities to come in his future.

Shane Rushlo is a salesman for Cox Fire Protection, Inc.  Shane graduated from high school in 1996. He started working for a local fire protection company in Orlando FL directly out of school and has over 16 years of experience in the fire sprinkler industry. In 2001 Shane moved to the Tampa Bay area and was hired by Cox Fire Protection as a foreman in the field. From 2001 to 2006 Shane installed fire protection systems for Cox Fire Protection to meet NFPA requirements, supervised field apprentices, worked closely with construction managers and built positive relationships with general contractors. Also during this time Cox Fire Protection sponsored Shane in a fire protection apprenticeship school through Associated Builders and Contractors at Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL. Shane received a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certification in 2006. In March of 2006, Shane entered the State Competition sponsored by ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors) for fire sprinkler fitters, and was named the number one sprinkler fitter in the state of Florida, based on written knowledge and practical professional skills. At that point he was invited to take part in a national competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, won that competition, and was the #1 sprinkler fitter in the nation in 2006.  Shortly thereafter, Shane received an offer as a project manager, and he performed in that position until September of 2012. Those professional and leadership skills have served Shane well, and he quickly emerged as a natural choice to take on additional responsibilities at Cox Fire. Shane has recently moved a position in contract sales. Shane remains a highly motivated individual who is committed to the industry.

Sandy brings a wealth of experience to Cox Fire Protection, including a very successful career as a professional recruiter and business owner.  As native of Tampa, Sandy is very familiar with this area, and brings to Cox Fire an impressive network of professional community ties.  As the coordinator for all service work and inspections, Sandy has her finger on the pulse of the departments that have been targeted as focal points for growth at Cox Fire over the next 18 months.

Sheryll Mangahas is the Office Manager at the Jacksonville Branch. She brings to Cox over a dozen years in billing and administrative experience. As the latest member of this office, Sheryll comes from working in the foster care system, non-profit agencies and local hospital. She handles the scheduling, billing, reporting and various day to day duties, managing the administrative needs of the Jacksonville Office. Her background includes managing and assisting accounting and billing departments in the private sector.