Meet the Judges
Amanda Stichter | 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 Chief of Operations 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 [email protected] or at 715-803-6181.
Brandon Reece & Chris Nordyke | FLOODLIGHT CONSULTING GROUP
Brandon is a seasoned leader in the restoration industry with a focus on operations and organizational development. As Co-Owner of Floodlight Consulting Group, Brandon works one-on-one with owners, managers and key personnel of restoration companies across the US. To reach him, visit Floodlightgrp.com or email [email protected]. Listen to the Head Heart and Boots Podcast on Apple iTunes and Spotify.
Chris is a visionary leader in the restoration industry with a focus on commercial sales strategy, customer experience, and transformational culture. As Co-Founder of Floodlight Consulting Group, Chris works one-on-one with owners, managers and key personnel of restoration companies across the U.S. To reach him, visit Floodlightgrp.com or email [email protected] Listen to the Head Heart and Boots Podcast on Apple iTunes and Spotify.
Jeff Jones | VIOLAND MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES
Jeff Jones is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Violand Management Associates (VMA), a highly respected consulting company in the restoration and cleaning industries. Jeff has a wide range of experience in professional sales and marketing involving all levels of decision makers. Through VMA, Jeff works with companies to find the right mix of programs and services to help them develop their people and their profits. Jeff is a regular contributor to C&R, and winner of the 2022 Patricia L. Harman Golden Quill Award! To reach him, visit Violand.com or call (800) 360-3513.
The Unsung Heroes Award shines a spotlight on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the standards and success of the cleaning and restoration industry.
Partnering with CoreLogic, our ongoing sponsor, the Unsung Heroes Award acknowledges three exceptional individuals from our industry each year. The award categories are as follows:
- Executive Hero of the Year: Recognizing leaders such as owners, CEOs, general managers, and directors of operations.
- Office/Sales Hero of the Year: Honoring roles like administrators, project coordinators, sales and marketing staff, bookkeepers, and receptionists.
- Field Hero of the Year: Celebrating technicians, project managers, estimators, carpenters, and other field positions.
To be eligible, nominees must have been employed in the cleaning and restoration industry during 2024. Nominations are accepted during a designated period each year and are reviewed by a panel of industry judges who select one winner from each category.
This year, we received a record number of nominations! Join us in celebrating the winners of the 2024 Unsung Heroes Award 2024:
1. Help us get to know you! What is Your biggest pet peeve?
One fun fact about me is that I really dislike phone calls that could have been sent as a text or email. I find it much easier and faster to handle things in writing. It helps me stay organized and makes sure that everything is clear and to the point.
2. Share your background! What led you to get started in restoration, and how long have you been in the industry?
I started in the restoration industry right after high school when I was 18. I was hired by Carpet Tech and have been with the company for 11 years now and am the site manager over daily operations for floor care and water restoration. My journey has been all about hard work, attention to detail, and a strong focus on customer service. Over the years, I’ve moved up through the ranks, thanks to a commitment to my work ethic, leadership, and always putting the customer first. It’s been an incredible journey of growth and learning in the restoration field.
3. What do you love most about the company you work for? What is your favorite aspect of working in the restoration industry as a whole?
Hands down, the best part of Carpet Tech is our standard. It is a privilege to work for a place with a high standard. You know EXACTLY what is expected of you, our customers know exactly what to expect, and the job is never done until that standard and quality is met. I love the variety of work in the cleaning and restoration business, and I absolutely love serving my community, especially in times of need. There’s no better feeling than helping a neighbor and saving the day.
4. Share a FAVORITE restoration story. It can be about a job, a moment with your team, or any experience that stands out.
One of my favorite restoration stories is from several years ago when we worked on a fire job for a very sweet family. They were devastated by the loss, surrounded by smoke damage and charred belongings. During the cleanup process, we managed to find and carefully restore a family memento that meant the world to them. It was incredibly moving and emotional for everyone involved. Knowing that we could bring something so meaningful back to them made the work deeply rewarding.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering accepting a job in the restoration industry or someone looking for a new career path?
Having a strong work ethic is important in this business, but having a servant’s heart is crucial. This work often involves dealing with damage to someone’s home or business, so it’s essential to show genuine care for their property and belongings. It’s important to be glad to help, especially since no one plans for issues like a burst water heater or a frozen fire suppression system. It takes a servant’s heart to respond in the middle of the night and provide quality service. The job requires flexibility, as there’s rarely a set schedule, and you encounter new challenges daily. It’s both exciting and unpredictable.
1. Share your background! What led you to get started in restoration, and how long have you been in the industry?
I’m originally from Costa Rica and moved to the USA with my mom and siblings many years ago when I was much younger. After working all over the restaurant industry in fast, casual, and fine dining for some years, both front and back of the house, I had the opportunity to work here as a temp laborer during Hurricane Irene in 2011. That was it for me; everything was so intense, there was so much movement. When I went back to the restaurant, I missed the rush of getting in a truck with six appointments all over town and no idea how it was all going to come together and watching it get figured out. In January 2012, I got a call from SERVPRO Team Gutierrez asking if I wanted to work full-time as a helper, and that’s how it all started.
2. How long have you been in your current role? If you moved up the ranks, what roles did you hold prior to this one?
That’s a hard one. I feel like I have a new role each day and sometimes multiple in the same day. Officially, I have been the Director of Mitigation and Large Loss Operations since 2021. Like I mentioned before, I started doing temp labor, then was hired as a helper, then crew chief, then production manager, and here we are.
3. What has been the most significant milestone in your career so far?
I think the move from crew chief to management was the most significant. It was not about money or a title on a business card; that move was where I decided this was what I wanted to do.
4. Share a FAVORITE restoration story. It can be about a job, a moment with your team, or any experience that stands out.
Traveling to Florida in 2022 for Hurricane Ian is definitely a favorite experience. The days were long and stressful, but the way the team performed was incredible. We arrived and didn’t even have a place to stay. We are based in Maryland, and one of our coordinators works remotely from Fort Myers. She opened her home to the team to spend, I think, three nights there until we could make other arrangements. The whole trip was the same. Our AR specialist, who also works remotely out of Fort Myers, was out scoping and selling jobs. Every challenge we faced during that trip, another person, either there or at home, would step up and do something amazing.
There is no doubt in my mind that the trip was destined to be horrible if it weren’t for our team.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering accepting a job in the restoration industry or someone looking for a new career path?
Let it fly, do it. If you don’t like it, quit and do something else, but the level of awareness, soft skills, and problem-solving experience you’ll gain will help you anywhere. And if you find this is what you want to do, then listen and learn all you can from everyone you can. There is a place for everyone in this industry, and there is a lot of money to be made; you just have to commit.
1. Help us get to know you! What was your first job?
My first job was bagging groceries at my local grocery store.
2. Share your background! What led you to get started in restoration, and how long have you been in the industry?
I started 25 years ago at a small family-owned concrete tilt-up construction company in Sacramento. I worked in the office for them for five years. When I left there to move back to Southern California, I answered an ad in the newspaper in San Bernardino, CA, for a front desk admin position at a restoration company. At the time, I just needed a job with a paycheck to pay the bills. I had no idea during that interview with ATI that landing that job would change everything in my future, leading to a career I never saw coming. I have loved working for ATI every day since that interview. When asked years ago by Jeff Moore where I saw myself in five years, this is exactly where I wanted to be, and now I get to live it every day
3. What has been the most significant milestone in your career so far?
This year I was asked to be a part of an all-women’s panel at the Alacrity Access National Conference. Where the topic was “Cultivating and Thriving Company Culture”. This was my first industry event. I have always stayed in the safe and warm confines of ATI and worked internally with hundreds of our employees at any given time. So, to now present in front of a room full of strangers, in person and not behind a virtual Zoom meeting was scary beyond belief. I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. It was invigorating and empowering, and I can’t wait to be a part of something like that again soon.
4. What do you love most about the company you work for? What is your favorite aspect of working in the restoration industry as a whole?
I have loved ATI and the Moore family since the day I started. They brought me in and made me a part of their family. I work hard for them because they allow me the amazing opportunity to learn more, continue to grow, lead others, share my knowledge, and move in different directions, which allows me to use my strengths in my career every day. The industry is growing and changing, and ATI encourages me to do the same.
There are so many parts to restoration, from working with our customers to working in the field to return properties to their pre-loss conditions. My favorite part is working internally with our teams. I want those who work here to feel supported and cared for, and I hope they feel that with every interaction they have with me. I like to think that I am one of ATI’s biggest cheerleaders and that those who work with me feel that too.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering accepting a job in the restoration industry or someone looking for a new career path?
You must be ready to ride out the storms when working in disaster recovery. There is no pause button. As much as we would love to live in the idea of being able to predict or be proactive in every aspect of this business, unfortunately, losses and mother nature wait for no one, including us. It’s a wild ride, and I love every minute of it.
Lauren Etherington
Lauren has been utilizing her writing expertise as C&R Magazine’s Associate Editor since 2023. After gaining a degree in legal studies, she ultimately chose to channel her writing capabilities to help support small businesses in the construction and restoration industries with their marketing efforts. Her ability to ask insightful questions helps uncover the core essence of each business, generating content that enhances brand identity and fosters genuine connections. Lauren calls Des Moines, Iowa home, where she resides with her husband and three children.
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