Phantom Fireworks’ Weimer to Head Pyrotechnics Association

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – William Weimer, vice president of B.J. Alan Co., has been elected president of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Weimer, an attorney, has served on its board of directors 15 years and has been a member more than 20.

This is Weimer’s second term as president of the trade association.

“My belief is that to be a leader in the business, we have to do things and participate in the organizations,” Weimer said. “If we’re involved, we’re going to be involved up to our eyeballs.”

The American Pyrotechnics Association represents “all the major players” in the retail and professional fireworks industry, Weimer said, in terms of education and legislation.

“It’s a multifaceted organization that does a lot of education to members regarding agencies we deal with,” he said. “Like all businesses, we have employment problems and contract problems and lease problems. All issues that every other business has, but also a product that’s heavily regulated.”

Among the organizations to which fireworks companies must report are the Consumer Product Safety Commission, two divisions of the Department of Transportation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security and the FBI.

“People don’t realize the hoops we have to go through to get a simple little firecracker on the shelves in our stores,” Weimer said.

Bruce Zoldan, founder of B.J. Alan Co. and its Phantom Fireworks brand, has also served as the president and sits on its board. The presidency of the association usually moves among board members, Weimer said.

Weimer also serves on the association’s committees for codes, nominations, the environment and membership, as well as on the technical committee of pyrotechnics of the National Fire Prevention Association.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.