2025 Conference Speakers

Branden Adams

Director of Education,
ARTI, America's Restoration Training Institute 

Branden Adams has been in the industry for 11 years, and has been taught by leading industry professionals such as Rachel Adams and Mike Adams. He started young, cleaning fans and has worked his way up to where he is now, so Branden has extensive experience in the restoration industry. Through the IICRC Branden is a Master Water Restorer, Master Fire/Smoke Restorer, and Mold Remediation Specialist. He also obtained the certification for TCST and qualified for the Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist (AMRS) designation. Branden has his OSHA 10 and 30 for general industry. As the Chief Safety Officer for Amerestore, he has written and implemented the entire company safety program. Branden has attended several classes through The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), including the train-the-trainer for ICRA 2.0. He draws on this and his industry experience to teach ICRA classes to contractors and hospital staff. Branden has been an industrial hygienist for 6 years through Rachel Adams' company, Indoor Environmental Management, where he specializes in mold and fire remediation projects, writing protocols and reports for other contractors.

Rachel Adams

President/Owner,
Indoor Environmental Management Inc. 

Rachel Adams holds a dual bachelor’s degree in environmental health sciences and Medical Technology (Toxicology) from Purdue University and is certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and holds a Master Restorer designation from the IICRC. She was founder and President of Indoor Environmental Management, Inc. (IEM) in 1994 which grew to develop one of the leading consulting and state-of-the art laboratories serving the needs of clients throughout North America. Rachel also served on the Board of Directors for the IICRC and served as the Technical Advisory Committee Chair for the development of the IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT). Rachel serves on the committee to write and establish guidelines and updates for the standard of care for mold remediation, also referred to as the S520, Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. She also teaches IICRC certification courses including AMRT, WRT, ASD, HST, OHSA 10- and 30-hour compliance courses, and more.

Shawn Bisaillon

The Carpet Coach

Shawn currently holds positions as an approved IICRC Instructor, a Certified LEAD renovator, a Certified Natural Stone and Masonry Technician, and an Oriental Rug Specialist. He was trained at a young age and began training in advanced rug washing techniques at the age of 13 in the family cleaning business. The carpet and rug cleaning industry has stayed a passion of Shawn’s family for their entire working career. Shawn currently provides support and furthers education within the textile and floor care industry by teaching and educating others in schools, seminars, and conventions all around the world.

Robert Blochinger

Owner,
Blochinger & Company

Robert is a 45-year veteran of the flooring industry, (FLARNG 1SGT ret. 22 yrs. service), within all disciplines: sales, installation, maintenance, specification, and manufacturing. He is a former President of NICFI, former Chairman of FCLC, and approved instructor for the IICRC, served on the S600, S220, S250 & S800 Standards committees, Approved Provider FL DBPR, past member of the BoD: FCICA, current member of NAFCT, NFCAP, IICRC BoD and Inspection Division Chair; owned and operated an installation workroom to the trade in S Florida for 30 years, former technician for flooring maintenance, cleaning with water and fire damage restoration experience. Editor & Publisher of The Flooring Inspector magazine, (NICFI), columnist for ProInstaller magazine (10 years), Editor & Publisher of the current IICRC Inspector Review, and guest columnist for other trade publications. Currently, Robert is a certified flooring inspector and consultant in all flooring issues and concerns, along with the business side of installations.

Sandy Bowles

CEO,
Horizon Consultants, Inc. and Horizon Educational Seminars

Sandy Bowles has been in the Cleaning and Restoration Industry for over 40 years, being one of the first to be certified by the IICRC. She has held a General Contractor’s license (Residential Builder’s License) which allowed her to handle all facets of restoration from the cradle to the grave. During her years with boots on the ground, she has created from scratch, operated, and sold three independent restoration companies. In 1991 Sandy, with her husband Doug Bowles, opened Horizon Consultants, Inc., serving as a consultant and expert witness to cleaning and restoration contractors, as well as for the insurance industry.

In 1996, Sandy received the privilege of being the first woman approved by the IICRC as an instructor. She is now approved to teach IICRC Certification courses in Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration (FSRT), Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Odor Control Technician (OCT), and Applied Structural Drying (ASD), offering certification training through Horizon Educational Seminars, a division of Horizon Consultants, Inc. She also is approved in multiple states to teach CEC (Continuing Education Credit) courses to insurance agents and adjusters as a marketing tool by many restoration companies, creating and teaching those courses for one of the major restoration franchises for many years.

Sandy has served as the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) Chairperson for FSRT for over 16 years, helping IICRC registrants solve problems they encountered.

Gregory Bukowski

Founder and Co-Owner,
Moldman USA

Greg Bukowski is the founder and co-owner of Moldman USA, a mold and water damage restoration company that was founded in 2006 and is based out of Chicago, Illinois. Moldman has recently started franchising and now has approximately 10 locations around the country and is growing quickly.

Greg graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and earned an MBA from USC in Los Angeles. Prior to the mold business, he worked in college football for multiple pro & college championship head coaches.

Greg now spends almost all of his time growing Moldman USA and raising his two young daughters.

Mitch Byrom

Founder and CEO,
Restoration-OS

The world’s only licensed Adjuster, approved IICRC ASD instructor and Xactimate certified trainer. With decades of restoration experience and multiple different softwares, businesses and executive relationships paired with his claims knowledge, you're guaranteed to learn something valuable from Mitch.

Jeff Carrier

Founder
Restoration ERP

Jeff Carrier is a restoration industry expert with 15 years of experience, specializing in sales and marketing strategies. As the founder of Restoration ERP–established in 2020–Jeff helps restoration companies boost commercial sales and differentiate themselves in local markets. With a degree in marketing, Jeff has developed advanced sales strategies and managed in-house marketing teams. He frequently speaks at conferences, teaching restoration companies how to implement disaster preparedness programs and increase commercial sales. Jeff's philosophy centers on a value-added approach to sales, focusing on strategies that drive growth while providing significant benefits to clients.

 Nathan Cisney

Partner/Consultant,
RMS Consulting

18 years in the Restoration Industry has led to Nathan helping build from the ground floor of one of the largest restoration companies in Utah, create a sales and marketing team from scratch that helped lead to a multi-million dollar restoration company, and he was instrumental in the merger of 2 Restoration companies resulting in 3 different branches for the company. Nathan is actively engaged with trade, media, and supplier organizations IICRC, RIA, R&R Magazine, C&R, Cleanfax, Aramsco, JonDon. He actively worked with the largest TPA’s in the country, Contractor Connection, Alacrity, Sedgwick Claims, Lionsbridge, DKI, Codeblue, State Certified Instructor for the Division of Insurance. He has led and taught over 1000+ Insurance Agents CE courses and was recognized as top 96% customer satisfaction contractors for State Farm Vendor program. He is a Goldman Sachs Small Business 10,000 Graduate, P&C Licensed Insurance Agent, IICRC Certified, and an avid wanna be Professional Cyclist!

Annissa Coy

Co-Founder and Educator,
Firehouse Education 

Annissa Coy has been in the Cleaning and Restoration Industry for over 25 years. She ran her own million dollar full service Restoration Business with her husband and son. She now teaches, coaches and consults internationally.

Part of her consulting involves traveling all over the United States to Catastrophic Disasters when they happen to help direct and run teams from other restoration companies in handling the demanding task of helping families put their lives back together after tragedy strikes.

She has an incredible unique ability to put together systems that put any service based business on auto pilot. She understands the importance of organization and procedures.

Teaching others to create value for their clients is what she loves. And by doing this she is able to help thousands of families get thru devastating situations and creating a win win scenario for all involved.

She is known in the industry as the "go to gal" and leading expert in her field. Her passion is educating others and she does so in part by writing articles for industry magazines.

Annissa along with her husband Kevin have designed their business to revolve around their Ultimate Lifestyle that allows them to have the time and money freedom to live life on their terms. They are passionate about teaching other entrepreneurs how to have an Ultimate Lifestyle Business by Design not just an Ordinary Business and do this thru their coaching program.

Annissa's business has been featured in CleanFax Magazine as an industry leader and she was won many awards and accolades. Annissa and her husband Kevin were the 2009 International Ambassadors to the Cleaning and Restoration Industry and were awarded the Exceptional Entrepreneurial Award for outstanding achievement in business. She is a regular contributor to R&R with her weekly wildly popular Ask Annissa videos. Annissa was also the inaugural winner of Restoration and Remediation’s Women in Restoration Award best of the best in 2016.

Jeff Cross

Media Director
ISSA

Jeff Cross is the media director for ISSA, with flagship brands that include ISSA Today, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, and Cleanfax. He is also the host of several video/broadcast programs, including Straight Talk!, Unscripted, and Take 5 With Cleanfax. 

Alex Duta

CEO
Albiware 

Alex Duta is a visionary entrepreneur, accomplished author, and influential leader in the restoration industry. As the author of Restoration Millionaire and the founder and CEO of Albi, Alex has dedicated his career to helping restoration business owners scale their companies, create meaningful impact, and build lives of purpose and balance.

With a proven track record as an eight-figure restoration business owner, Alex has first-hand experience in what it takes to achieve sustainable growth while navigating the challenges of the industry. His deep belief in making a major impact, fostering an integrated life, and scaling businesses with intention drives his work with entrepreneurs worldwide.

Through Albi, Evolve Restoration Mastermind and his speaking engagements across the country, Alex equips restoration leaders with the tools, strategies, and mindset to achieve financial independence, empower their teams, and positively influence their communities. His mission is to inspire business owners to go beyond success and create ripple effects of transformation that reach employees, clients, and families alike.

Tim Farmer

Founder,
Tim Farmer Consulting LLC

Tim Farmer, founder of Tim Farmer Consulting, LLC, has over 15 years of experience in restoration consulting, focusing primarily on comprehensive estimating and insurance appraisals. With a strong commitment to serving and helping others, Tim collaborates with restoration businesses and claims professionals across the U.S. to support efficient claim management and quality project outcomes. His expertise in project-specific planning, combined with a practical, hands-on approach, enables him to address the unique needs of each client. Tim’s work is driven by a dedication to clarity and accuracy, ensuring dependable results on each project.

Ryan Giger

VP of Sales and Marketing,
Vital Solutions  

Ryan Giger brings 25 years of expertise in restoration contracting and chemical manufacturing, with a unique ability to bridge field application and product development. After 10 years operating a successful Servpro franchise, he transitioned to manufacturing, serving as U.S. Director of Sales for Siamons International, where he helped grow the company into a major industry player. He later became Vice President of Sales at Vital Solutions, introducing groundbreaking chemical technologies to the restoration market. Known for his forward-thinking strategies and extensive industry network, Ryan is a trusted leader in sales, innovation, and best practices within the professional restoration sector. His career reflects a deep understanding of the restoration market’s evolving landscape and a commitment to practical, results-driven solutions.

Katie Harris

Founding Partner,
Spot On Solutions

Katie Harris, Founding Partner at Spot On Solutions, embodies the vision of "Elevating People and Businesses." Since co-founding the agency in 2012, she has led a team that transformed into a leading digital marketing agency, recognized as a Google Premier Partner. A John Maxwell certified coach and Forbes Council member, Katie champions growth and community advocacy. She is a mom to three amazing kids and two grandkids. She has been married 29 years.

Rocky Hensley

Co-Founder,
1-Tom-Plumber HQ and Icon Environmental Group

After 15 years in the restoration business, Rocky Hensley experienced declining profits due to reliance on third-party administrators (TPAs) and program work. Seeking a solution, he partnered with Kameron Hensley to create 1-Tom-Plumber, a plumbing company designed to seamlessly bolt onto restoration businesses. Their goal: to generate more commercial water damage opportunities.

Fast forward, 1-Tom-Plumber has exceeded all expectations. In less than 3 years, they've added 82 new franchises, with owners typically recovering their investment in just 12 months. Franchisees have seen incredible results all while avoiding the headaches of traditional program work.

Now, Rocky shares his expertise to help others understand how 1-Tom-Plumber can enhance restoration businesses and unlock new revenue streams.

Doug Hoffman

Founder and Executive Director,
NORMI

Doug Hoffman is the founder and executive director of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), a not-for-profit certification organization for indoor air quality professionals. He has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in building science and indoor air quality and holds five professional certifications in the state of Florida.

Joe Hoffman

Founder,
The Helios Group

Joe Hoffman has been in the insurance/employee benefits industry for 12 years. The part he enjoys most is helping small business owners attract and retain talent so they can grow their business. He is very fortunate to be supported by an amazing team of experienced insurance professionals; their team becomes your team. He and Leon started The Helios Group to serve as a platform for the solutions they bring to the business community. Benefits Education, Enrollment Services, Association Solutions, and Corporate Wellness. They have a lot of fun but take their roles very seriously. They couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity they have with their brand.

Darren Hudema

Director of Training and Technical Services and IICRC Approved Instructor and Board Member,
PuroClean and IICRC

With over 48 years in the cleaning and restoration industry, Darren Hudema has built a distinguished career marked by expertise and leadership. His journey includes roles as a technician, water mitigation specialist, project manager, and Director of Operations. Darren owned a successful cleaning and restoration business in British Columbia before transitioning to education with Dri-Eaz Products and later Legend Brands. In 2019, he became the Director of Training and Technical Services at PuroClean, developing training programs for franchise owners and technicians.

Darren holds the prestigious Water Loss Specialist (WLS) designation and the IICRC Triple Master certification. He is known for his technical acumen and engaging teaching style. Darren has published numerous articles and spoken at major industry conferences. His dedication to industry standards is reflected in his roles on various committees and his contributions to developing energy-efficient, mold-resistant building codes.

A devoted family man, Darren enjoys cooking, grilling, and spending time with his family.

Jeff Jones

Certified Bio-Forensic Restoration Specialist® and Certified Forensic Operator™
Bio-Sheen Services LLC

Jeff Jones is a Certified Bio-Forensic Restoration Specialist® and a Certified Forensic Operator® with 50 years of field experience in Forensic Restoration®. He is a former US Army Solider, Former SWAT team leader, and the youngest person to attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Jeff is a Certified Crime Scene Track Investigator as well as a Certified Search and Rescue Tracker. He is a past president of the Restoration Industry Association, was the first chairman of the Forensic Council and is co-editor of the RIA Forensic Guidelines, as well as a contributor to the ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup. Jeff Jones is one of the founding members of Bio-Sheen Services LLC, is the Director of Forensic Operations and the Master Trainer for The Global BioRisk Advisory Council and is considered by many the most experienced Forensic Restoration® field operator in the world.

John Kay

Director,
CN Air Group

John Kay Director of CN Air Group, 28 years of experience in Building Science & Home Improvement industry. He has trained & coached hundred of contractors on best practices in regards to IAQ, Energy efficiency and water infiltration.

Kevin Kluth

President
Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc

Kevin Kluth is President of Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc, which has provided high-quality cleaning services in the Rochester, NY area for over 40 years. He is an IICRC certified Master Textile Cleaner and experience in all fiber types and unique soiling conditions. Kevin is committed to the highest standards of education and conduct is the cleaning industry.

Nick Lambert

Founder,
Faithful Disaster Restoration, Inc.

Nick Lambert is the founder of Faithful Disaster Restoration, Inc., which he established in 2005. Over nearly two decades, the company has grown into Montana's largest locally owned and operated restoration firm. Faithful Disaster Restoration is also the highest-rated restoration company in Montana, a testament to its strong culture and dedicated staff.

Since 2021, Nick has been a silent owner, stepping away from daily operations. His experience in building and scaling a service-oriented business has made him a sought-after consultant for other service business owners.

In 2023, Nick founded 1.21 Leadership Consulting and Culture Training, driven by his passion for transforming business cultures and enabling owners to step back from daily operations to pursue their dreams.

Nick lives in Northlake, Texas, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Madison, Makenzie, and Camden. He enjoys sports, concerts, and all things 80s.

Lisa Lavender

COO,
Lever360

Lisa Lavender holds a BS in accounting from Penn State, an IICRC Master Fire, Water and Textile Restorer, and a High Performance Learning Journey Champion. Previously as chief operating officer and co-owner of both Restoration Technical Institute and Berks • Fire • Water Restorations, Inc., founded in 2000, Lavender has over 20 years of experience in the restoration and reconstruction industry, and has a passion for training, developing tools and resources, and working with other service providers. In 2012, she opened the Restoration Technical Institute in pursuit of helping others find joy and success in the industry. In 2018, has expanded her passion for serving other contractors by partnering and becoming VP of operations design for iRestore software. In addition to contributing to the running of the operations of her organizations, she authors a monthly column for R&R, Restoring Success, writes, instructs and develops courses and materials in the pursuit of her passion to give knowledge, passion, and inspiration to others for success in the industry.

Claudia Lezell

President,
Inspections Too, Inc.

With a career spanning over four decades in the floor covering industry, Ms. Lezell brings a wealth of experience and expertise. Her unique journey includes owning and operating a full-time retail flooring and interior design establishment, spearheading the IICRC Hard Surface Certification Floor Covering Inspector Program, and participating in numerous technical committees. She has served as the Past Vice Chair of the IICRC Outreach Committee and Hard Surface Standards Committee. Since 1995, she has been President of Inspections Too, Inc., providing independent certified third-party inspections, consulting, and expert witnessing services.

Bill Luallen

Technical Director,
XL North

Bill Luallen, the technical director for XL North, a division of the Textile Rubber and Chemical Company, has more than 25 years of experience in the floor care industry. He is the IICRC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Chair of the Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician (CCMT ) Committee and participates on the CRI 204/205 Carpet Maintenance and Cleaning Standards.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner BVSc, MSc, MPH, MRCVS

Senior Director,
Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is the Senior Director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, and has more than 30 years of technical experience in responding to infectious disease outbreaks and emergency management. For the COVID-19 pandemic, he conducted onsite biological risk assessments and provided “just-in-time” training on infection prevention and control, cleaning and disinfection, and safe working practices for frontline workers in 16 US States and Hong Kong in hospital emergency departments, assisted-living and nursing homes, convention centers, airports, stadiums, public transport workers, and hotel staff and other essential employees. He has served on COVID-19 medical advisory committees for American Airlines, Port Authority Of New York and New Jersey, Hyatt Hotels, International Association of Venue Managers, American Association of Airport Executives, NFL and NBA teams including Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Lakers.

He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and teaches three 15-week graduate courses on Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Terrorist Emergencies. In 2014 he received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in teaching.

He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, BBC, Canada CTV, Australia ABC, C-SPAN, and other news outlets to share his expertise on High Consequence Pathogens such as Coronavirus, Ebola, Influenza, Measles, Cholera, Zika, Monkeypox, and other global health threats. He served 12 years as an Officer in the Australian and British militaries and was an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the U.S. CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Global Health Fellow with the United States Agency for International Development in Washington DC.

Vlad Mkrtumyan

Co-Founder
Restoration Inbound

Vlad Mkrtumyan is the Co-Founder of Restoration Inbound, a leading digital marketing agency dedicated to driving growth for fire and water damage restoration companies. By visiting his clients in the field, Vlad has gained a deep understanding of the industry's unique challenges and has successfully worked with restoration businesses across the nation, ranging from six-figure small business restorers to nine-figure enterprises. Under Vlad's leadership, Restoration Inbound not only delivers expert website development, SEO, and lead generation services but also creates custom AI growth tools specifically designed for the restoration industry. He has also spoken at business conferences and been featured on the 1590 AM Lifestyle Business Owner radio show, the NORMI Podcast Show, and more.

Kerry O'Brien

Of Counsel,
Resilience Force

Kerry O'Brien is Of Counsel of Resilience Force, a national nonprofit organization supporting the workers who clean up and rebuild after natural disasters. She is an attorney who has been advocating for the rights of employees for more than 25 years. She is a co-founder of the DC Employment Justice Center and a former Presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor.

Darrick O'Day

Lead Public Insurance Adjuster,
Pine Hills Property Claims

Darrick O'Day, lead Public Insurance Adjuster at Pine Hills Property Claims, brings 25 years of construction experience to the table. Licensed as a Public Adjuster in MN, TX, WI, IA, and others, Darrick also has past credentials as a MN Qualified Builder, General Construction Project Lead, and Real Estate Agent. Known for his ethical approach, he prioritizes accurate loss assessments to secure fair compensation for policyholders. While he previously held certifications such as HAAG Certified Roofing Inspector, CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator, Lead Renovator, and CPAU (Certified Property Loss Appraiser and Umpire), he maintains expertise in Xactimate software.

Patricia (Patty) Olinger, JM

Founder and CEO,
BEAMS LLC Consulting

Patricia (Patty) Olinger is a recognized leader in public health, specializing in biorisk management, bio-detection, and global health preparedness, with a strong focus on biosecurity and indoor air quality. She is the Chief Relationship Officer for Varro Life Sciences, a pioneer in innovative pathogen detection technologies. Additionally, she is the Founder and CEO of BEAMS LLC Consulting and has served on multiple advisory boards for businesses and non-profits.

Patty is the current Convener for the ISO working group responsible for ISO 35001:2019, the international standard for Laboratory Biorisk Management, as well as accompanying technical specifications. Her expertise spans diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, academia, healthcare, hospitality, and mass gathering venues such as stadiums, convention centers, and spas.

With a deep commitment to biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and One Health, Patty works to advance policies and solutions that strengthen global health resilience. Her passion for innovation and strategic collaboration drives her mission to enhance public health capabilities worldwide, particularly in underserved and low-resource environments.

Howard Partridge

President,
Phenomenal Products

Howard Partridge started his cleaning business out of the trunk of his car over 40 years ago and transformed it into a multi-million dollar, turnkey operation that is super profitable. But it wasn't always that way. At one time, the business had a lot of debt. Today he and his company is debt-free and he has helped countless cleaning and restoration companies scale up their businesses and profits!

John Perella

Curriculum Manager,
Lever360

John Perella is an accomplished professional in the restoration industry, currently serving as the Curriculum Manager at Lever360, Restoration Technical Institute. With a rich background spanning food service management and construction, John found his true calling in restoration in 2014 at Berks Fire Water Restorations Inc.

Equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management (HRIM), specializing in Restaurant Management, from Penn State University, John brings a unique blend of managerial skills and industry knowledge to his role. Rising through the ranks to become a team leader, he eventually shifted his focus to his passion for training and development within the industry.

As an IICRC Triple Master and IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist, John brings extensive expertise to his role at Lever360. He plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of restoration professionals by directly working with students, facilitating in-person training sessions, curating, and developing both eLearning and hands-on training programs.

Beyond his professional endeavors, John enjoys his hobbies and family life. He finds joy in coaching and umpiring baseball, supporting his daughters' dance careers, and spending quality time with his loved ones. Known for his ability to challenge the status quo and foster critical thinking within his team, John's dedication to excellence and innovation truly sets him apart in the industry.

Michael Pinto

Chief Executive Officer,
Pinto Solutions LLC

Michael A. Pinto is the owner of Pinto Solutions LLC, a consulting firm focused on identifying and managing indoor contaminants. He authored the first textbook on mold remediation and helped to develop many of the standards and guidelines used in the mold remediation industry. Michael can be reached at (269) 303-7149 or pintosolutionsllc@gmail.com.

Amy Prihoda

Co-Owner and CEO,
Professional Cleaning & Restoration Systems

Amy Prihoda Co-Owner & CEO of Professional Cleaning & Restoration Systems. She has been in the industry for 22 years. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS: BBA, Management Information Systems , IICRC Carpet Cleaning (CCT), Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning (UFT), and Rug Cleaning (RCT).

Amy Prihoda is a dynamic and dedicated co-owner of Professional Cleaning & Restoration Systems, a family-owned business that has established itself as a leader in the cleaning and restoration industry. With a strong focus on growth and development, Amy is committed to enhancing both the client experience and team dynamics within the company. She believes that a happy team translates to satisfied clients, which is crucial for ongoing success and expansion.

Benjamin Ricciardi

Founder and CEO
Ironclad Restoration Marketing

Ben Ricciardi is the founder and CEO of Ironclad Restoration Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in South Florida that specializes in digital marketing for the Restoration industry since 2015. Ben is the author of The No Bulls**t Guide to Internet Marketing for Restoration Contractors, a regular contributor to multiple industry publications, and hosts The Restoration Rundown Podcast, a podcast that is focused on everything related to owning a Restoration Business. Connect with Ben and Ironclad Restoration Marketing on social media for the latest tips and tricks on how to grow your Restoration Business.

Barry Rice

Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Director,
Signal Restoration 

Barry Rice is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with over 20 years of experience. He is the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Director for Signal Restoration Service’s family of companies that includes Signal and PuroClean. Mr. Rice has supported EHS efforts in various industries, including environmental restoration, heavy industrial manufacturing, mechanical field service, automotive and aircraft manufacturing support, residential and commercial construction, and disaster restoration. Specific experience in the disaster restoration field ranges from corporate safety program development, EHS training, and field work support from small-scale residential to large-scale, multi-million dollar commercial. Barry serves as a regular columnist for Restoration and Remediation magazine and is an IICRC Consensus Board member writing a Safety & Health Field Guide for Restorers.

Staci Sargent

Owner, Consultant,
Restoration Made Simple

Staci has over 10 Years in the Restoration Industry. She is a National Instructor for Aramsco and is WRT, AMRT, FSRT and HST Certified with the IICRC.

Staci specializes in technician training and CE education training. Staci created a National Technician Production Zoom Training that has been attended by over 400 technicians, owners and project managers, she has an Online library of over 100 technician training classes.

Staci has certified over 12 restoration companies to offer CE Classes to Insurance Agents and Real Estate Agents and has taught in person CE Classes for Agents and Realtors in over 6 States. Restoration Made Simple online training currently has over 1800 subscribers.

Staci served 10 years in the US Army as an Intelligence Analyst, to include 2 years as a Drill Sergeant (I promise this experience is priceless in training technicians). Staci is a Licensed Social Worker (I promise this experience is priceless in consulting small business owners).

Ivi Sims

Founder,
BULCS Holdings Pty Ltd & BRII Training 

Ivi Sims is a passionate advocate for improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and providing cutting-edge solutions for the restoration industry. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in wood floor drying, major loss mitigation, and large-scale mould remediation, Ivi has become a trusted expert in moisture management, ventilation design, and restoration practices.

As the founder of BULCS Holdings Pty Ltd and Building Environmental Wellness Group (BEWG t/a BRII Training), Ivi has dedicated the past five years to advancing the industry by supplying specialized equipment for water, fire, mould, trauma, biosafety, indoor air quality (IAQ), HVAC, building restoration, and flooring contractors. In addition, he established The Building Restoration Inspection Institute (BRII), a training platform designed to elevate industry standards and equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for success.

Ivi holds multiple prestigious certifications, including RIA’s Water Loss Specialist® (WLS), Content Loss Specialist (CLS), and Certified Mold Professional (CMP), as well as IICRC Master Water Restorer (MWR), Master Fire and Smoke Restorer (MSR), and Master Textile Cleaner (MTC). Her expertise extends to industry leadership, where she actively contributes to IICRC standards (S760, S230, S220 and Health & Safety – Cleaner/Restoration) and participates in IAQ & Building Science STG within AIRAH. She is also a founding member of the Australian IAQAA chapter, A board of Director of IAQA and serves on the ATFA (VIC) committee, focusing on training initiatives for the flooring sector.

Through her work, Ivi remains committed to creating healthier, safer indoor environments by equipping businesses and professionals with the best tools, training, and expertise in the industry.

Eric Sprague

Owner and Director of Education,
Super Tech University

Eric Sprague has more than 25 years of experience managing teams in the home services industry. Eric was formerly a VP of Operations at a global manufacturing company and owner of a cleaning and restoration company. Now, Eric is Owner and Director of Education at Super Tech University, a company which trains technicians and managers soft skills for all home service verticals. In his spare time, Eric is the Co-Host of the Blue Collar Nation podcast.

Amanda Stichter

CEO and Head of Sales,
Virtual Vision Computing

Amanda Stichter holds a Master’s in Executive Leadership from Liberty University and has more than 15 years of experience in brand and marketing strategy. As the CEO and Head of Sales at Virtual Vision Computing, Amanda partners with home-service companies across the country through strategic marketing efforts. Amanda hosts a regular podcast called The Branding & Building Podcast (formerly Digital Dialogues) where she interviews industry experts about the story and how they built their businesses to last. You can reach her at amanda@virtualvision.net or at 715-803-6181.

Will Stoner

Owner and Member,
Inspector Training Services and National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)

With over 45 years of distinguished service in the flooring industry as an Installer, Retailer, Inspector, Instructor, and Expert Witness, Will gives us a strong background and knowledge base in analyzing and resolving flooring problems related to the manufacturing process, installation, maintenance, and/or safety related concerns. He has been married to the same woman for 40 years, has 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren, and 2 wonderful dogs. He enjoys smoking as anyone with the last name of Stoner would be expected to, and that's on the smoker grill of course.

David Sweet

Founder,
MIT Consulting

David earned his undergraduate degrees in Finance and Management from Florida State University in 1990 and began his career in the capital finance industry. However, inspired by his father’s work, he soon transitioned to the restoration insurance industry as an all-lines adjuster. He held this role for five years before founding a full-service restoration firm with a strong conviction that he could bring a new approach to restoration. Over the years, David expanded his expertise, becoming a Certified General Contractor in Florida and earning multiple industry designations, including Master Water Restorer (MWR) and Master Smoke Restorer (MSR) with the IICRC. He also holds numerous Council-Certified designations from ACAC, such as CMRS, CSDS, CIES, CIEC, and CFSR, and has served on certification boards for over a decade, contributing to the development of curricula for various specialized tracks. David further advanced his credentials with the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), earning the WLS, FLS, CMP, and ERS designations, and is a charter member of the Registered Third-Party Evaluator (RTPE) program. With over 25 years of experience as a CEO, consultant, expert witness, trainer, and speaker, he has gained extensive legal expertise, frequently serving as a seasoned expert in depositions and trials backing for “fair and reasonable” positions.

Recognizing the need for greater efficiency, fairness, and innovation in the restoration industry, David developed "MIT Manager," a proprietary claims documentation and project management system, as well as an automated white-label client onboarding program for insureds and contractors. His solutions address the daily challenges faced by restoration professionals & insureds while promoting transparency and efficiency.

Today, David remains deeply committed to raising the bar for functional competency and education in the industry by advocating for an ethical, methodical, and data-driven approach to claims to ensure better outcomes for all—insureds, carriers, and contractors alike. David continues to be focused on conducting comprehensive investigations for all parties as a subject-matter expert, training restoration professionals in documentation processes, and advocating for the Standard of Care within the claim’s environment.

Ruth Travis

Owner,
Rug Lady Seminars

Ruth has a B.S. degree in Textiles from the University of Tennessee and has attended most of the major cleaning and restoration industry courses. She has over 25 years experience in maintenance and restoration of carpet, rugs and upholstery. In addition, she is a flooring inspector and performs corrections for some of the major carpet mills. She has traveled throughout the US and abroad sharing her knowledge with other cleaners, inspectors and restorers.

Ruth is an active volunteer in the cleaning, restoration and inspection industry. She served as the IICRC as Marketing Committee Chairman and President/Chairman of the Board of Directors for two years and is the past Chairman of the IICRC’s Color Repair Committee. She is also on the IICRC Rug Cleaning Technician Committee and was one of the editors of IICRC S-100 Carpet Cleaning Standard and S-300 Upholstery Cleaning Standard. She was a member of the S520 Mold Remediation Standard Committee.

Ruth also serves as Past President of the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians.

After fulfilling her responsibilities as President of the IICRC, Ruth was named the Director of the WoolSafe Organization in North America.

In 1988, Ruth and her her partner, Ginger started their fabric care service in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she performed fabric cleaning, protection, and inspection and color correction services for her clients, interior designers and carpet mills.

In 1995 she opened a retail rug store, The Rug Exchange. After selling her share of the business to her partner in 2001, Ruth shifted her focus to training and instructing others in the fabric care industry.

Jorge Villalobos

Founder
The Best Restoration

Jorge Villalobos was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. There he earned a college degree in Finance and worked in the banking industry for over nine years. Jorge moved to Florida with his wife, Susie, and children, Laura and Sergio, in 1999 leaving their country behind due to personal security issues. He began to work in the carpet cleaning industry in 2000 and two years later got into the restoration industry. In 2006, Jorge opened The Best Restoration as a “one man” operation and with just one truck. Today, The Best Restoration has 27 full-time employees, an area rug plant for cleaning and repairs, and a property turnover business with 16 additional full-time employees.

During all these years in the industry, Jorge has had the privilege of attending multiple training programs obtaining his Master in Drying and several other certifications in cleaning and mold remediation by IICRC. At the same time, Jorge invested a lot of effort in his personal growth. During the last 10 years, he has earned certifications from Zig Ziglar Corporation, John Maxwell Academy, Personal Insights/DISC Training, and became a member of Howard Partridge’s Phenomenal Products. In 2023, at The Experience in Las Vegas, Jorge received the Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award. Locally in the community of Gainesville, Florida, Jorge and The Best Restoration have received various other recognitions from The Chamber of Commerce, The North Central Florida Apartments Association and several other non-profit organizations. Currently, Jorge and his team at The Best Restoration are putting together a five-year plan to coordinate their succession process.

Leon Walker-Metts

Founder,
The Helios Group

Leon Walker-Metts has been a benefit counselor and worked in wellness for 13 years. His passion is to bring more wellness into the corporate scene and make these programs more accessible for surrounding communities. The Helios Group was started to offer creative solutions for exclusive benefits as well as wellness programs. They are partnered with the IICRC to offer exclusive benefits for their employees and they only plan to expand their reach.