Speedy Laster

I consider it an honor and privilege to carry on the training tradition started by Phil Ackland decades ago.

I began my career dealing with commercial kitchen safety as a kitchen exhaust cleaner and a student at Phil Ackland’s school in Louisville Kentucky. Over the years Speedy Clean LLC transformed into The Laster Group LLC and have serviced the complete range of commercial kitchen fire safety hazards.

During this time, I became an Instructor for Phil at the training school, assisting new and experienced entrepreneurs in how to ensure fire safety and integrity in servicing commercial kitchen exhaust systems.

In 2008, I joined forces with Phil Ackland and Associates in training the Authorities Having Jurisdiction in how to inspect the design, construction and maintenance of commercial kitchen systems.

We have expanded our training of fire safety to assist civilian fire departments, insurance companies and primarily the United States Military, throughout the world to improve the fire safety of these often-forgotten fire hazards.

It is gratifying to know that I have played a part in educating the A.H.J. through providing hands on training to their men and women who make sure the commercial kitchen establishments in our communities and on our military bases are fire safe.

In doing so, I have gained further knowledge of many of the hidden flaws and improper installation of these systems; that so often are the root causes of serious (costly) kitchen fires.

Working with Mr. Ackland, who literally wrote the books on fire safety and maintenance of commercial kitchen systems, and years of hands-on experience, has provided me with the opportunity to apply my experience and qualify as a Subject Matter Expert.  Since 2016, The Laster Group LLC has been supporting Insurance Company’s in commercial kitchen fire subrogation cases.

We have worked with numerous Law Firms, providing expert opinion on the cause and origin of commercial kitchen fires.  Our services cover expert opinion pertaining to maintenance, and construction of commercial kitchen ventilation systems along with installation, function, and maintenance of UL 300 suppression systems that provide fire protection for the cooking equipment, hood system, and lower exhaust duct.

The Laster Group LLC became the Managing Partner for Phil Ackland Specialty Training in 2022.  We have and will continue to maintain the original principals of the course, which is, providing the best training as possible for our clients, promoting fire safety in commercial kitchens.  We provide an in-depth perspective on inspections of commercial kitchen exhaust ventilation systems. Maintaining the integrity and principals of the program; the way Phil intended.

So, whether you are looking to broaden your team’s knowledge through one of our inspection courses, or expertise in subrogation, we can assist.

Biography

Career Highlights

2007 – Present
Instructor Ackland and Sander Consulting

• Credentialed Instructor for C.K.V.S. service technicians for Ackland and Sander Consulting.
• Credentialed Instructor for Fire, Building, and Insurance Inspectors.
• Conducted the Inspectors Course, training civilian and military personnel in the U.S, Canada, Great Britain, and Southeast Asia.
• Contributor in the re-writing of the Cleaning Course Training Manual and Exam.
• Contributor in the 5^th publication of the Inspectors Training Manual.
• Contributor in the Guide for Commercial Kitchen Fires.
• Member of the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association (TSFIA)
• Member of the  Georgia Fire Inspectors Association

2004 – Present
President / C.E.O. Speedy Clean, LLC

• C.K.V.S. Service.  (Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Systems)
• C.K.V.S. Inspections.  (Commercial Kitchen Ventilation Systems)
• Servicing the full gamut of commercial kitchens, independent owners, fast food franchises, national chain restaurants, gourmet restaurants, child care facilities, and health care facilities.
• Consulted with facilities management to improve fire safety in C.K.V.S.
• Served as a consultant for CTM Consulting, for solid fuel restaurant fire.

1995 – 2003
Plant Manager Taylor Adhesives Dalton, GA

• Responsible for daily operations of manufacturing, close interaction with human resources, daily interaction with customer service, and responsible for setting yearly operational budget.
• Assisted with the lay out and implementation of automation process that allowed a 66% reduction in work force and 47% increase in production.
• Served as Plant Safety Coordinator setting a divisional Safety Record during this time.

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