Mentorship Isn’t a Moment — It’s a Lifetime Commitment

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Lauren Milliman

At VSC Fire & Security, we believe strong leaders don’t just manage work — they invest in people. Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways we build our culture, develop future leaders, and strengthen our industry. For many of our leaders, that commitment didn’t start at VSC — it started much earlier. 

Dave Victor shares his story below. 

My mentoring of youth actually began back in high school. As a junior and senior, I helped support summer camps my school offered for younger students in grades one through four. Even then, I found value in helping others feel supported, capable, and confident as they learned new things. 

That continued into college. During my sophomore through senior years, I arrived on campus two weeks early to complete new-student training and then spent a week helping lead New-Student Orientation. College — and living away from home for the first time — can be intimidating. I knew I had advice and perspective that could help incoming freshmen navigate that transition. I focused on providing support, reassurance, and practical coping strategies to help ease those fears. 

When my son reached the age to join Scouts, I stepped into leadership roles as Assistant Den Leader and later Cub Master. These positions came at the request of other parents and Scout leaders, who saw my dedication to helping the boys grow through the program. When my son advanced to Boy Scouts, I was again asked to lead — this time as Scout Master. Over the years, I mentored 18 boys to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. 

That journey wasn’t always easy. It required patience, accountability, and belief in each individual’s ability to succeed. But seeing those young men complete what they started made every challenge worthwhile. 

My twin daughters were involved in 4-H, and once again, I was asked to step into a leadership role — a position I held for five years. Working with kids ages 6-18, boys and girls alike, I helped guide projects, coordinate educational trips, and create meaningful experiences that built confidence and skills. 

I’ve always enjoyed teaching and sharing knowledge — especially history. I even led guided tours at Gettysburg and Antietam National Parks, though I’ll admit I enjoyed those tours more than my audience did! 

I began my career at VSC Fire & Security more than 30 years ago. In the early 2000s, I was asked to serve as an ABC Baltimore NCCER apprenticeship instructor. I taught until my twin daughters were born, at which point my focus shifted — but my commitment to mentoring did not. 

For the past 20 years, I’ve served as Project Manager for the local fire sprinkler apprenticeship craft competition, and since 2014, I’ve also managed the ABC National Craft Championship competition — a role I’ve held for over a decade. 

Three years ago, Anne Arundel County’s High School Technology Center (CAT North) reached out to our Baltimore VSC office about participating in their Youth Internship and Youth Apprenticeship programs. Unlike earlier summer work programs I’d supported, this partnership was different. It was collaborative, intentional, and backed by educators who truly wanted to work alongside industry. 

Since then, I’ve become a regular presenter to students in Plumbing, Electrical, Industrial Maintenance, and CAD programs. I’ve given honest talks about what it means to work in the industry, led hands-on demonstrations, hosted office tours, coordinated job shadowing with our designers, and served on Program Advisory Committees for both CAD and Building/Industrial Maintenance programs. 

I do this work because I believe in giving back — to the community and to the fire protection industry. I do it because someone has to. I do it because I’ve seen attempts succeed and fail, and I know what commitment it takes to do it right. But most of all, I do it because I truly enjoy it. 

Mentorship isn’t a checkbox or a title. It’s a responsibility — and a privilege — to help the next generation see what’s possible.