Rhonda Flagstad
Rhonda Flagstad is an accomplished Area Sales Team Lead for Fire Service at Siemens SI, where she serves as a trusted partner in maintaining fire and life safety systems for healthcare, higher education, and commercial buildings. With nearly three decades of experience in fire protection, life safety, and building systems, Rhonda brings a unique blend of technical expertise and client-focused leadership. She oversees regulatory compliance, permitting, and certifications while advising development teams and guiding customers through complex permitting processes. Her hands-on knowledge of AutoCAD, system specification, and fire suppression solutions enables her to design practical, code-compliant solutions that protect lives and property.
Rhonda’s career journey began in Alaska, where she ran a small hot-tub sales business before relocating to Minnesota to pursue opportunities in fire protection and commercial kitchen systems. Over 16 years at Captive Air, she gained experience in administration, accounting, AutoCAD design, and inside sales, specializing in kitchen ventilation and Ansul R-102/Piranha fire suppression systems. She then transitioned into full-time fire service sales with Nardini Fire and other firms, achieving significant revenue milestones and establishing a reputation for perseverance, expertise, and relationship-building. Her decade at Siemens has further cemented her position as a leader in the industry, focusing on healthcare and higher education verticals while mentoring colleagues and fostering professional growth.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rhonda is an advocate for community involvement and volunteerism. She serves as President and Treasurer for St. Francis Gladiator Wrestling, supporting youth development and sports programs, and is actively engaged in professional organizations including BOMA, ASHE, and state healthcare engineering associations. Recognized for her leadership and influence, she has been featured by Influential Women for 2026. Rhonda’s career philosophy emphasizes hard work, perseverance, mentorship, and building a strong professional reputation—demonstrating that expertise, dedication, and integrity can open doors even without a formal college degree.
• Autocad Certificate
• Office Management Certificate
• Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training & Certificate Program
• Fire Alarm System Functions
• Ansul R-102/Piranha Certified
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• Minnesota Healthcare Engineering Association
• American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE)
• Wisconsin Healthcare Engineering Association
• St. Francis Gladiator Wrestling
• Greater St. Paul BOMA
• St. Francis High School Saints Wrestling Booster Club
What do you attribute your success to?
Doing what you enjoy, being a team player, giving my best every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to love what you do and approach every opportunity with curiosity. Be eager to learn from others, seek out new experiences, and don’t be afraid to take chances—because that’s often how the most valuable lessons are learned.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to work hard, stand tall, and be proud of who you are. Focus on building practical skills, developing a strong reputation, and helping others along the way. Perseverance and hands-on experience can open doors and lead to meaningful career progress, even without a formal degree.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is serving as a trusted partner in maintaining fire and life safety systems. It allows me to connect with individuals and businesses, ensuring safe environments while introducing new products and solutions. The challenge—and the reward—lies in making a tangible difference in people’s safety and well-being every day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are staying true to myself, showing respect to others, mentoring and supporting those around me, and making a positive difference wherever I can. Outside of work, I enjoy weightlifting and spending time outdoors, which help me stay balanced and energized.