My Grandpa, Earl Woodard, was a hero. As a navigator, he survived 20 B-17 bombing missions over occupied France during WWII and after his plane was shot down, the people of the French Resistance helped him evade capture and get back to his life in the United States. On a train to the West Coast for mandatory R&R, he met Nancy Berklin, another hero, and they were married within 3 months. In 1946, they purchased one of the first portable extraction units and started Earl E. Woodard Rug Cleaners, bringing the innovation of in-home rug cleaning to St. Louis, Missouri. Working with the manufacturer, they brought GIs from around the country to St. Louis. Grandpa trained them on how to use the equipment and Granma (that’s how she always signed my birthday cards) shared how she connected with church groups and women’s groups in the local community to market their service.
They quickly learned that the rug cleaning industry was a tight knit group, joining the National Institute of Rug Cleaners (NIRC), a brand-new trade organization, to develop more relationships, learn about in-plant cleaning, and share experiences. Those friendships lasted generations, the lessons learned created thriving businesses, and the opportunities for personal growth were shared with people throughout member companies. They become stronger together.
80 years later, the NIRC eventually evolved through several iterations into what we now know as the RIA, while Earl E. Woodard Rug Cleaners now goes by Woodard Cleaning & Restoration. A lot has changed. What hasn’t are the opportunities to connect with industry leaders, learn about the latest innovations, and share experiences to help each other grow. In fact, these opportunities have expanded with recent RIA membership growth and been amplified by AGA networking events that have drawn restorers together regionally throughout the year, building on the connection rhythm of the annual convention.
This April, at the 80th RIA Restoration Convention & Industry Expo, I will begin a year of service as your RIA President. I’m Justin Woodard, third-generation owner and CEO of Woodard Cleaning & Restoration, an independent restoration company (who still cleans rugs) operating from a single location, serving the St. Louis region continuously since 1946. Both Granma and Grandpa served in this role. My dad, Charlie Woodard, introduced me to the RIA (at the time it was technically ASCR), along with his mentors and the friends he said he “stole” all his successful ideas from, when I was a teenager and spring break meant going to the annual industry convention. The impression on me was lasting. I have no doubt: Woodard has grown and thrived because when we asked for help, generous people we met through RIA shared their experiences and lessons learned. The clear takeaway: when someone in the industry calls and asks for help, we answer the call and gather the resources, experiences, and care to help. I think that Granma and Grandpa learned these lessons first from the folks in the French Resistance who rescued Grandpa and many others. I’m grateful that I had the chance to witness those lessons being passed along.
I believe I’m beginning my year of service as President in a challenging time. The differences between independent operators, regional firms, franchise systems, and national platforms sometimes act as barriers to cooperation and collaboration. All parties in
the restoration and repair ecosystem are experiencing economic pressures from multiple angles with relentless persistence. And the speed of technology is creating what feels like unprecedented uncertainty about the future. In the face of all these things, I know what Granma and Grandpa would do. They would reach out to their friends in the industry and connect. They would host gatherings and encourage new people in the industry to join them. They would highlight where we are aligned, how much better we do when we cooperate, and what it looks like to collaborate. They would encourage many different voices and perspectives. They would create opportunities for people to learn, grow, and give back. They would bring people together to ELEVATE the industry. Because they knew, we are stronger when we work together.
Justin Woodard
President & CEO, Woodard Cleaning & Restoration
Justin Woodard
Justin Woodard: Justin Woodard is the 3rd generation owner of Woodard Cleaning & Restoration, currently serving as President & CEO. Eight years ago, Justin articulated The Woodard Way, merging the values his grandparents founded the company on, his dad’s focus on Legendary Service, and his vision of a future where the people of Woodard help one million people get back to their lives. Justin believes the culture and relationships that exist inside a company are the most reliable predictors of success. The culture he aspires to build is an environment where folks are encouraged to overcome their self-imposed limits to do harder, better, and more important things than they would on their own.
Passionate about helping others, Justin does all he can to give back to the community by supporting the St. Patrick’s Center, BackStoppers, the STL Food Bank, New City School, and Crossroads College Prep.
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