Kathy Newman

Kathleen Newman is the Owner and CEO of Firetect® Flame Retardant Manufacturing and Distribution, based in Southern California. She co-founded the company in 1994 with her husband, Randy Newman, launching the business from their garage and growing it into a respected industry leader in both the flame-retardant and window covering sectors.

Since Firetect’s founding, Kathleen has been a driving force in promoting fire safety, advocating for higher industry standards, and educating professionals on the life-saving benefits of flame-retardant technology. She has collaborated with the California State Fire Marshal on fire code development and actively leads workshops for fire officials, architects, builders, and designers.

As a certified flame-retardant applicator in both California and New York City, Kathleen not only supports certification programs in these regions but also consults directly with designers and companies to help them navigate flame-retardant compliance and application challenges. She regularly hosts in-house training sessions to educate professionals on the safe, proper use of flame-retardant products and staying compliant with state and national codes.

Kathleen has served on numerous advisory and technical committees, including CAL FIRE, the California Bureau of Home Furnishings, the International Code Council (ICC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Her leadership and insights have helped shape best practices across multiple industries.

Before launching her business, Kathleen spent 15 years in advertising and chemical sales, where she earned multiple top sales achievement awards. She and Randy have worked together professionally since 1988 while raising their three daughters—building a business and a life grounded in family values and a shared commitment to safety.

Outside of work, Kathleen enjoys skiing, riding motorcycles, camping, and practicing meditation. She also loves spending time with family and friends, including memorable girls' weekends that recharge her creativity and spirit.