What does it take to lead in today’s restoration industry?

In this episode, Shawn Hester, Director of Operations at Disaster Restoration Systems/1800 Water Damage of Harrisburg, shares how his background in Air Force combat search and rescue shaped his approach to restoration—where urgency, adaptability, and mission clarity matter every day.

From building workflows before technology to leveraging AI as a competitive advantage (not a crutch), this conversation dives into how smart operators are scaling, serving clients better, and staying ahead of carrier expectations.

If you’re thinking about AI, operations, or what it really takes to run a high-performing restoration team—this is a must-listen.