Restoration Today

Join industry leaders Bran Lynch (Chair, S700 & BELFOR), Brandon Burton (IICRC Standards Chair & Cotality), John Pletcher (Vice Chair, S700 & RestorTech), and Mili Washington (Standards Director) as they take you behind the scenes of the groundbreaking S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration.Learn what it takes to create a trusted, industry-wide standard—from initial concepts to final approval—and why it matters to every restoration professional. Discover key terms, the evolving role of volunteers, and the critical balance required to maintain integrity in the standards process.Whether you're new to fire restoration or a seasoned pro, this episode breaks down the evolution of the S700 from RIA roots to its place at the IICRC today. Tune in and get the clarity you need to elevate your restoration practice!

In this powerful conversation, Michelle sits down with Jenkins Restorations leadership—CEO Drew Fetterolf, VP of Strategic Alliances Jason Coleman, and Director of Specialty Services David Ness—to explore how faith, employee ownership, and a commitment to excellence have sustained the company for over 50 years.Hear firsthand how Jenkins has adapted to industry shifts, weathered major challenges like COVID-19, and remained rooted in its mission. Learn how being an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company influences everything from company culture to customer service, and discover the role faith plays in guiding leadership decisions.From memorable success stories to complex restoration jobs, this discussion offers a rare look inside a company that's not only built to last—but built on purpose.

Chasing the Vision season 2 episode 3, in partnership with  Exit Strategies 360⁠ and Violand Management Associates, dives deep into one of the most critical — and challenging — aspects of running a restoration business: financial management & cash flow.From tackling the pain points of collections to understanding how proper financial systems build long-term equity, this conversation is a must-listen for owners and leaders looking to boost stability and profitability. Whether you're planning to grow, sell, or simply stay afloat, this episode arms you with the insight to take control of your financial future.

On this episode, Michelle sits down with David Grove, Owner & Founder of BYLT, to dive into what it takes to scale fast in the restoration industry.From navigating rapid growth and building strong company culture, to staying competitive amid consolidation and leveraging AI, David shares real-world lessons and insights.

Welcome back to Phil & Michelle's Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.In this episode, Phil & Michelle chat with Russ Palmer, president and owner of Titan Restoration, and learn more about where he started in the industry to technology, favorite AI tool, empowering your team, favorite stories, and MORE!Pour yourself a cocktail (or mimosa!), sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results.Erik Berglund, expert and founder of The Language of Leadership, in collaboration with RTILearning.com, presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.”This series offers actionable insights on building highly accountable teams, eliminating excuses, and effectively implementing new strategies, services, technology, products, equipment, and any other “thing” essential to your business's success.

What is it REALLY like to work for you?This week on the podcast, we're joined by Eric Sprague, owner of Super Tech University, to dive into the inspiration behind his recent C&R article, “What It's Like to Work For You, and Why It Matters More Than You Think.”Eric shares what led him to turn the mirror inward and how doing the personal work transformed not just his leadership—but his entire company culture. Michelle and Eric talk about the moments that revealed areas needing growth, how to respond to business owners who think this kind of work is too “woo,” and why blaming the workforce isn't a strategy.Plus, how can you tell if your people actually enjoy working for you? Eric shares the real signs to watch for—and the small shifts that make a big difference.Don't miss this honest, practical convo about leadership, accountability, and building a company people are proud to work for.

In episode 2 of season 2 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠ Exit Strategies 360⁠ and Violand Management Associates, Michelle, JT, and Tim reflect on the challenges and uncertainty that defined 2024. What can the restoration industry learn from a tough year? And more importantly, how can we shift momentum and make 2025 our most resilient and growth-focused year yet? Tune in for candid insights, honest reflection, and real encouragement to help you reset, recharge, and refocus your vision for a healthier, more successful 2025.

In this episode, Michelle and Stefan Figley, President of 1-800-Packouts, serve up a fun and insightful conversation on everything from contents cleaning to... tennis! They explore how the contents space has shifted over the last 5–10 years, the #1 emotional and practical needs clients have after a loss, and the common mistakes contractors make when handling contents.

Struggling to hire and keep great talent in restoration? In this episode, we sit down with industry expert Hope Folk, COO of Restoration Personnel Source, who brings 12 years of experience and hard-earned insight into one of restoration's toughest challenges: hiring and retention. From bad hiring habits to personality assessments, reference checks, and some unforgettable stories—you won't want to miss this honest, practical conversation on what's really going on in today's hiring market.

We are VERY excited to welcome the U.S. President of Contractor Connection, Lance Malcolm, to the podcast! Join the conversation as we dive into the evolution of Managed Repair Programs (MRP) and contractor relationships, exploring how both parties can create a win-win partnership in 2025 and beyond.

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results.Erik Berglund, expert and founder of The Language of Leadership, in collaboration with RTILearning.com, presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.”This series offers actionable insights on building highly accountable teams, eliminating excuses, and effectively implementing new strategies, services, technology, products, equipment, and any other “thing” essential to your business's success.

With so many software and technology options available, how do restoration companies choose the right fit? In this episode, we talk with CJ Bailey, Director of Software Management at PuroClean, about the decision-making process for selecting the best tech, the importance of integration, and what's missing in the industry today. Plus, we explore exciting innovations on the horizon, break down SOC 2 compliance, and share expert advice for cutting through the noise to find the right technology solutions for your business. Don't get lost in the sea of software—tune in to learn how to navigate the future of restoration tech!

How does CoreLogic predict wildfire risk, and why was the recent Southern California wildfire no surprise? Jon Schneyer, Director of Research & Content at Corelogic, breaks down how data, property analytics, and restoration efforts intersect to shape better risk management, underwriting, and recovery strategies.

The restoration industry is evolving, and so are its events. What do restorers really want from conferences? How has the conversation around industry gatherings changed since COVID? And what new opportunities are on the horizon?In this episode, we're diving into the shifting event landscape, the feedback organizers are hearing, and what's next for some of the biggest industry gatherings—including exciting updates about The Collective by CORE by Beth Thompson, VP of Events at Core Group, and Ryan Pritchard, VP of Sales & Marketing at PSA! Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at the future of restoration events!The Collective by CORE Aug 6-8 https://www.thecollectivebycore.com

Welcome back to season 2 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠⁠Exit Strategies 360⁠ and Violand Management Associates! We're VERY excited to have a special guest joining on episode 1! Chuck Violand, founder of Violand Management Associates, talks with Tim Hull, JT Kraai, and Michelle about Violand's recent transfer of ownership as well as when an owner should start looking for a management buyout, common missteps in starting succession planning, how to recover from a year like 2024, and MORE!

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Norris Gearhart, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Business Practice at First Onsite.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Vincent Scarfo, Principal & COO, Clear Restoration.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Anthony Nelson, Partner, Pivot My Biz.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Jason Cain, EVP, BluSky Restoration Contractors. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Marcie Richardson, COO, Guarantee Restoration Services.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!Alright - here we go! I'm going to toss it over to Katie Smith, immediate past president of RIA Board of Directors.

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Stephanie Suchocki, VP of Operations, Superior Restoration.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Dan Tarantin, CEO, American Restoration.We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less!There are 7 candidates total for this year's election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballots will be emailed directly to RIA members. Elections run from March 17 thru 24 and are open to RIA members only. Election Results will be announced during the Town Hall at the RIA Convention … April 28-30 in West Palm Beach. If you are not yet registered for convention, you can do so at restorationindustry.org!

Garret Gray, President, Protect Insurance Solutions at CoreLogic, is back on the podcast to give an update of his personal experience during the California wildfires and share more information about INTRConnect this year!Garret talks with Michelle about:Latest updates on the wildfiresThe decision-making process behind postponing INTRConnectWhat attendees can expect from this year's eventKey insights from the upcoming wildfire recovery sessionHighlights from expert guest speakers shaping critical conversations around disaster preparedness and recovery...and MORE! INTRConnect: March 23-25 intrconnect.corelogic.com

“Main Street Restorer” is a new inspiring video series showcasing real-world challenges and practical advice from seasoned broker, Gokul Padmanabhan of Restoration Brokers of America, helping entrepreneurs discover innovative solutions and strategies for success. Journey with Gokul as he shares stories and wisdom on helping Main Street Restorers grow, thrive, and prepare for the future – whatever it may hold.In episode 7, Gokul gives a summary of the M&A market in 2024, overarching themes he's seeing now in 2025, the importance of an exit strategy, PE in 2025, and MORE!

Welcome back to the first market update of 2025! Aaron Brunko, President of Verisk Property Estimating Solutions, and David Obert, Chief Product Officer at Verisk Property Estimating Solutions are back to share insights from 2024, the trends to look out for in 2025, how restorers can diversify to stay up on volume when weather is low, and more!

Welcome back to the podcast! We are thrilled to talk all things biohazard cleaning with Scott Vogel, ABRA's new president and COO of Emergi-Clean! He shares with Michelle more about ABRA, what areas ABRA has really had an impact, goals for the future, best practices, apprenticeship, mental health of yourself and your team, and MORE!

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results.Erik Berglund, expert and founder of The Language of Leadership, in collaboration with RTILearning.com, presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.”This series offers actionable insights on building highly accountable teams, eliminating excuses, and effectively implementing new strategies, services, technology, products, equipment, and any other “thing” essential to your business's success.

We are very excited to have Jeremy Reets, Founder of Reets Drying Academy, on the podcast to celebrate 20 years of Reets Drying Academy and share the journey Jeremy has taken to today, Reets family culture, how training needs have changed over the years, the value of education, and MORE!

Welcome back to Phil & Michelle's Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.In this episode, Phil & Michelle chat with Tom McGuire, owner of Large Loss Mastery, and learn more about where he started in the industry to training within the industry, best practices, favorite stories, and MORE!Pour yourself a cocktail (or mimosa!), sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

In this episode, Michelle chats with Mark Springer, RIA's New Carrier Relations Advocate, about his bold 2019 thesis stating that if restoration companies didn't unite and advocate for sustainable claims practices, the industry could cease to exist within a decade. Fast forward to today, Mark shares the major wins of the AGA, his new role, and how his experience helps drive change alongside Ed's advocacy efforts. Tune in for insights on the industry's future and what's needed to keep it thriving!

As we continue the California Wildfire coverage, Kyle Bias, Regional VP of the West at ATI Restoration, joins the podcast to share what the last few weeks have been like for his team, how it compares to other wildfire events in the past, advice for restorers outside of California, laws and regulations that restorers should be aware of, and MORE!

We are very thrilled to have Steve White, President & COO of PuroClean and fellow YOOPER, on the podcast! He and Michelle talk about PuroClean's recent massive growth, the vision for the next 5-10 years, Steve's take on the 2024 restoration claim volume, how past military experience has shaped his approach to leading initiatives like the Veterans Forum and PuroVet, and so much MORE!  

Welcome back to the very first episode of the Restoration Today Podcast in 2025! We are very excited to have Chris Tilkov, Director of Product Development and General Manager of AiME, a DocuSketch company, on the podcast to share how restorers can maximize their profits. Michelle and Chris talk through: How much the average restorer is leaving on the table. How something like Aime helps expedite getting paid. Ideally, how long it should take to create an estimate for an average water loss. What the Carrier Rule Verification is. What's NEW in tech. What the future of estimating may look like in 2025 and beyond. ..and MORE!

As C&R provides ongoing coverage of the Los Angeles Wildfires, we would like to provide some inside looks from those who have been through similar situations, into what these next months and years will look like for the restoration industry. Anthony Nelson, Member Acquisition Manager at Pivot My Biz, joins Michelle and Lauren Etherington, C&R's Associate Editor, to talk through Anthony's experience during the Maui fires and ongoing rebuilding.  He shares: Experience living through the Maui wildfires  Insights from the maui fire he brings into his current work helping restorers at Pivot  What the rebuilding process in Maui has looked like so far and whether there has been any surprises.  Wisdom or advice for restorers responding to the California wildfires  Main challenges restorers in California are likely facing right now  What is Red Lightning (nonprofit) and what do they do?  What he sees as the most critical change or innovation needed in the restoration industry to respond better to wildfires in the future.  ..and MORE!

Welcome back to the Season 1 FINALE of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠⁠Exit Strategies 360⁠ and Violand Management Associates! So what is human capital? Listen in as JT & Tim share their thoughts and differing opinions on the phrase “human capital”, and share their thoughts on: When valuing a company, how key are the employees and team to a companies value? How have they seen hiring, recruiting, and retention landscape shift recently How compensation has changed over the past decade Transitioning from managing people to developing your team …and MORE! See you SOON in 2025 for Season 2!

Co-founder of sureti, Mark Whatley, shares the exciting news that Checkbook, a trailblazer in digital payments, has acquired sureti, a cutting-edge digital payment solution dedicated to transforming the distribution of insurance claim proceeds. This strategic acquisition positions Checkbook at the forefront of the insurtech revolution, delivering faster, smarter, and more secure payment solutions for insurance companies and their customers.

CoreLogic President of Protect Insurance Solutions Garret Gray escaped the Palisades Fire with his family on Jan,. 7. Now, he is sharing that harrowing story of running to meet his children, and also knowledge on the fires so far. Garret discusses wind gust data from CoreLogic, and offers comparisons to another deadly fire from several years ago. For restorers, also learn what is going to be needed in the days, weeks, months, and maybe even years to come.

In this episode, we explore the incredible journey of Violand Management Associates with founder Chuck Violand and General Manager and new owner, Tim Hull. Chuck shares the inspiring story of how VMA grew from an idea into a cornerstone of the restoration industry, offering insights into the hundreds of companies they've served over the years. Tim reflects on his path within VMA, revealing whether he always envisioned a long-term future with the company.Chuck and Tim open up about when the transition discussions began, the challenges of valuing a namesake business, and the unique emotions tied to being on the "other side" of the consulting table. They candidly discuss the lessons learned, the surprises encountered, and the role external brokers or consultants played in this significant milestone.Looking ahead, Tim outlines his vision for the future of VMA, while Chuck teases what lies ahead for him post-transition. Will he stay involved or embrace retirement with his wife and grandchildren?Whether you're a business owner, consultant, or just a fan of inspiring stories, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Taylor Carmichael, Director of Systems & Instructional Design at Southeast Restoration joins the Master Class podcast to talk through what power skills are needed to be a rock star in the Restoration industry. The topics they cover are: How she defines "power skills" or "soft skills," and which ones are most valuable in the disaster restoration industry An example of a situation at Southeast where soft skills made a significant impact on the outcome What role empathy and emotional intelligence play when interacting with customers How she has seen soft skills contribute to the growth and retention of her team Which soft skills she has found challenging to develop, and how she has gone about improving the ...and MORE!

We are very excited to have Andy McCabe, founder of Claims Delegates, on the podcast today to talk through some dirty little secrets with Michelle! The topics they cover are: Navigating claims The importance of transparency Evolution of the Restoration Rebels (and upcoming changes) 10&10 & AOBs ... and other hot topics!

Welcome back to the podcast! Wayne Wudyka, CEO & Co-Founder of CRDN, is on the podcast to share the journey of CRDN and the vision and growth they have had through the years. Michelle and Wayne talk through: His vision as owner, when Wayne started Huntington Cleaners The size of CRDN today (locations, employees, etc.), and how many claims the CRDN teams handle each year The role contents cleaning and restoration plays in helping restorers better serve their customers, while preserving margins What he sees on the horizon for contents restoration when it comes to new innovations and techniques  ... and MORE!

“Main Street Restorer” is a new inspiring video series showcasing real-world challenges and practical advice from seasoned broker, Gokul Padmanabhan of  Restoration Brokers of America, helping entrepreneurs discover innovative solutions and strategies for success. Journey with Gokul as he shares stories and wisdom on helping Main Street Restorers grow, thrive, and prepare for the future – whatever it may hold. In episode 6, Gokul and Michelle get personal and talk through the seven emotions of selling a business. Gaining wisdom from recently selling a business, Gokul has created a helpful guide that walks you through the seven emotions of selling a business.

Welcome back to the podcast! We are very excited to have Beth Thompson, VP of Events at Core Group and Ryan Pritchard, VP of Sales & Marketing at PSA to share about events and a new collaboration for 2025 between COLLECTIVE by CORE and PSA User Conference. Beth and Ryan talk with Michelle about: Conference Highlights & Content Speakers What the industry needs for events What it takes for an event to be beneficial for everyone How to juggle desires of attendees and vendors Benefit for teaming up How to help people determine what events to attend Getting the most out of an event as an attendee/vendor ...and MORE!

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results. Erik Berglund, expert and founder of The Language of Leadership, in collaboration with RTILearning.com, presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.” This series offers actionable insights on building highly accountable teams, eliminating excuses, and effectively implementing new strategies, services, technology, products, equipment, and any other “thing” essential to your business's success.

David Obert, Chief Product Officer at Verisk Property Estimating Solutions, is BACK on the podcast to share another market update!

“Main Street Restorer” is a new inspiring video series showcasing real-world challenges and practical advice from seasoned broker, Gokul Padmanabhan of Restoration Brokers of America, helping entrepreneurs discover innovative solutions and strategies for success. Journey with Gokul as he shares stories and wisdom on helping Main Street Restorers grow, thrive, and prepare for the future – whatever it may hold. In the episode 5, Gokul talks with Michelle about financial offense and recognizing that accounting and finance is the language of business. Tune in to episode 5 and learn how to become proactive and strengthen your financial offense!

Welcome to the podcast Garret Gray, President of Protect Insurance Solutions at CoreLogic! He's on the podcast to share his thoughts on how this year has gone and what to look forward to if this is your first year attending INTRConnect in January and: What, in general, gets him most excited for INTRConnect every year Track sessions General sessions What he hopes people take away When it comes to technology in our industry today, what is the #1 thing on Garret's mind? ...and MORE! INTRConnect 2025Jan 13-15LA Live - JW Marriottintrconnect.corelogic.com

Welcome back to the podcast! We are very excited to have Matt Sands, President at Dry Force & SVP at HighGround, and Ben Balsley, CEO at HighGround on to talk though the history of DryForce and: What led DryForce down the path to HighGround? What are a few things they see keeping other contractors up at night? What advice would they give other contractors who are worried about the continuing consolidation of the industry? Leveraging technology What's it like being on both sides? A favorite industry story ...and MORE!

Episode 11 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠⁠Exit Strategies 360⁠ and Violand Management Associates is here! This November, Violand is running their yearly Business Planning Retreat, and in light of that, these next episodes will focus on what you can do NOW to set you business up for success in the new year and answer questions like: How do restorers get stuck in business planning? Is there a difference between those who have done good business planning and those that have not? Who should be involved in business planning? What are the micro challenges companies might have going into business planning as beginners as well as veterans? What is the #1 piece of advice going into business planning? ... and MORE!

Happy 12th birthday to Encircle! We are very excited to have Paul Donald, CEO of Encircle, on the podcast to share the incredible history of Encircle and: Industry pain points he has seen and wanted to solve How technology and the industry has changed in the past 12 years What it takes to be able to keep innovating and stay on pace with tech advancements Thoughts on M&A and getting paid in the industry ...and MORE!