Luis Suarez is a bilingual restoration educator and technical consultant with over a decade of field experience in water, fire, and mold damage. He is the founder of RestorRight Bilingual Academy, where he focuses on bridging technical knowledge, documentation practices, and field application for restoration professionals and property stakeholders.

Luis is known for his work in educating both English and Spanish-speaking communities, promoting ethical restoration practices, and strengthening the connection between science, standards, and jobsite reality. His mission centers on elevating industry professionalism through education, critical thinking, and practical guidance grounded in field experience.

Wynn White, P.E., is the Founder and Principal Engineer of Wynn L. White Consulting Engineers, established in 1987. A second-generation engineer with more than 30 years of experience, he has worked with school systems, hospitals, municipalities, utilities, government agencies, and industrial organizations nationwide to help them manage environmental, health, safety, and facility risks while controlling costs.

Wynn developed the firm’s master specifications for asbestos and mold remediation and serves as Principal Engineer on environmental and engineering projects involving indoor air quality, hazardous materials management, and building-related risk reduction. He is also an accredited training provider who has educated professionals across the country on practical, compliant approaches to environmental and safety challenges.

He earned his engineering degree from Purdue University and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Wynn is an active member of professional organizations, including the Louisiana Engineering Society, and is known for delivering practical solutions that prevent and resolve complex building issues. 

Steven Richford founded Richfords back in 1977. He started cleaning carpets but soon identified a gap in the market for fire and water restoration and never looked back.

Richfords Fire and Flood are probably the only independent fire and flood company in the UK working outside of any network and still doing 95% insurance restoration work. Steve is also co-founder of the British Damage Management Association.

Ashley Easterby has over 40 years’ experience in owner/operator small business in Australia and an extensive understanding of the need to build and maintain successful relationships and strategic alliances to ensure a successful business. In 2002 he was instrumental in the formation of a group of likeminded Water Damage Restoration companies into the leading independent restoration network in Australia. This network provides restoration services with national coverage for the needs of Corporate Clients & Insurance Companies via a transparent, local and cost effective service.

This week we honor the legacy of Lee Pemberton cleaning and restoration pioneer. Joining with their thoughts will be John Downey, Pete Consigli and of course Cliff Zlotnik. Following our intro we will replay the edited July 30, 2010 interview with a restoration pioneer.

Jeffrey C. May is co-author of the textbook “Spaceship Earth: Physical Science,” as well as author or co-author of four books on indoor air quality (IAQ) including “My House is Killing Me”. A nationally known speaker on IAQ topics, Jeff combines his education as an organic chemist with his professional experiences as a teacher and building inspector to help people improve the environmental conditions where they live and work. He is particularly committed to working with people who like himself suffer from allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities. He grew up in Forest Hills, NY and resides in Massachusetts with his wife and co-author Connie L. May.

Dustin Poppendieck is an environmental engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He received his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. He is a fellow of the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). Dustin has been investigating indoor air chemistry since 2002. Most of his efforts have involved characterizing primary emission sources and heterogeneous reactions at material surfaces. He has investigated emissions from kerosene can lamps used by nearly a billion people throughout the developing world, spray polyurethane foam, non-smoldering cigarette butts and indoor air cleaning devices. In addition, Dustin has studied the disinfection of biologically contaminated building materials (i.e., anthrax) using high concentrations of ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and methyl bromide. Recently, Dustin has been involved in writing and revising standards related to chemistry of portable air cleaners, including ASTM D8625, UL867, ASHRAE 241 and ASHRAE 145.4.

Eugenia Mirica, PhD is the Laboratory Director of the Materials Science Laboratory at EMSL Analytical, Inc in Cinnaminson, NJ. Eugenia received her Ph.D. in Materials Science from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2002. She joined EMSL at the end of 2002 and she has been with the company ever since. Her expertise involves complex analyses employing a large variety of analytical techniques, utilized for the identification and the comprehensive characterization of various types of materials.

Luis Suarez is a seasoned technical educator and consultant with over a decade of experience in the Restoration industry. His journey in this field is marked by a passion for education and a strong commitment to helping others succeed. As the founder and leader of RestorRight Bilingual Academy, Luis has created a dynamic platform aimed at advancing knowledge and skills within the restoration community. This endeavor was inspired and supported by Recovapro LLC, a prominent water and fire restoration company whose mission aligns with Luis’s dedication to education and mentorship.

Luis’s primary objective is to guide and mentor aspiring professionals in the restoration industry, helping them navigate the challenges that come their way. His immediate goal is to become an approved IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) instructor, enabling him to provide certification courses in both English and Spanish. This reflects his commitment to making high-quality training accessible to a broader, more diverse audience.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Luis is a loving husband and the father of two energetic youngsters who keep him on his toes whenever he’s not furthering his own education.

Ralph Moon, PhD is a Building Scientist with more than 42 years of consulting experience in the areas of duration of loss studies, material testing, risk assessment, project management, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality assessment. Dr. Moon has published over 60 peer reviewed and 40 technical articles and papers and is a frequent expert witness on insurance-related claims and projects. Dr. Moon has a unique background that combines extensive field experience, seminar development and presentations, research, and legal services in IAQ, building science and disaster restoration.

Jeremy Beagle is a CIH and Senior Principal Scientist with SDII Global and has been performing causation assessments and providing expert witness testimony pertaining to water damage, fungal growth, and other indoor environmental concerns in the built environment for over 21 years. Jeremy speaks at conferences, workshops, and provides continuing education in the insurance services, indoor air quality and indoor environmental spaces. He has authored industry-related articles and has published papers as part of the ASCE Forensic Engineering Congress. He is the Vice Chairman of the IICRC S530 Standard for Indoor Environmental Assessment for Suspected Mold Contaminated Structures consensus body and is on the Board of Directors for the Indoor Air Quality Association.

Ken Siders, CMP is ETA’s Senior Environmental Consultant. He is the past Vice President of Environmental Services at Housecheck. Ken has over 20 years working as an environmental Consultant doing projects around the world including for the Navy, Air Force and TSA. He is also a Commercial and Residential Building Contractor and an Expert Witness specializing in Structural Environmental Disaster Response and Essential Responder Services.

This presentation chronicles a challenging three-year project journey at Word of Life Church, titled 'Word of Life Church The Saga Ends”, stemming from complex moisture intrusion following hurricane damage to a unique multi-layer roof system. Referencing standards such as the IICRC S-500, this case highlights the critical steps and obstacles encountered from initial assessment through legal challenges.

The presentation will detail the project's key phases, including the intricate initial moisture intrusion and physical building inspections, the meticulous monitoring and documentation of the drying process, and the significant delays and disputes encountered while seeking necessary funding from the insurance company. The narrative culminates in the critical deposition phase, where the project's technical findings and procedures were rigorously examined.

Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the paramount importance of thorough documentation and strict adherence to peer-reviewed industry standards like the IICRCS-500 when managing complex restoration projects, particularly those involving potential insurance litigation.

In conclusion, the 'end' of this saga underscores how diligently prepared documentation serves as essential evidence, validating proper restoration processes and navigating legal challenges often faced in large-scale, disputed claims.

This week, IAQradio will interview Dr. Jake Avila, Associate Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, to discuss his work at MTSU’s School of Concrete and Construction Management. The question for the restoration industry is, will its chance at a 2nd Act with higher education advance the practice and trade of restoration and damage repair, to be recognized by government and general industry as a profession? Tune in this week for an engaging interview with Dr Jake as he discusses a plan the restoration industry can embrace and build off the lessons learned from its first act with Purdue to advance the business of restoration to become a recognized profession! LEARN MORE this week on IAQ Radio+.

Dr. Avila's industry experience spans over seventeen years in the construction industry where he worked primarily in general management. Prior to his transition to academia, he served as executive vice president and general manager of CA Construction, a family-owned construction firm specializing in disaster restoration and government contracting. As general manager he oversaw the business operations as well as construction and consulting services to government agencies, homeowners, property managers, law firms, AEC firms, third-party administrators, and major insurance carriers. He is a scholar-practitioner and is committed to enhancing the work of restoration industry professionals through applied research. The underlying goal in all his work is to help disaster restoration firms build capacity by systematically advancing the understanding of industry dynamics, improving the design and application of best practices, and strengthening connections between scholarly and professional activities. His research recently examined family business dynamics in the restoration industry and, in collaboration with faculty at Purdue University; he is currently the principal investigator of a study that is examining employee burnout and engagement in the restoration industry. Since 2008 Dr. Avila has taught in business, engineering, and construction programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Prior to coming to MTSU he served two other institutions as an associate professor, business department chair, MBA program director, and program director in a college of engineering. Dr. Avila holds a bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Pepperdine University, a master of business administration from California Baptist University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. As an undergraduate he studied at ITESM in Guadalajara, Mexico, and while pursuing his master’s degree he studied at Regent’s Park College of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England.

He and his wife, Becca, have been married since 2004 and they have three children: Jackson, Liv, and Jeremiah. They live in Franklin, Tennessee and love to travel, explore, hike, fish, hunt, and do many other things outdoors.

Leslie Anderson, is a IICRC Chairperson and a highly respected learning, and development professional She has been driving positive outcomes in the restoration industry for over 25 years. Her journey with Paul Davis Restoration, Inc. began in 2010, where she coached franchises to achieve profitability, capitalize on new revenue streams, and effectively manage their operations. In 2016, she transitioned to training and played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and implementing Learning and Development (L&D) programs and eLearning systems.

Kristy Cohen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), the leading international network of restoration professionals dedicated to advocating for, educating, and elevating the restoration industry. With more than 20 years of nonprofit management experience, Kristy brings deep expertise in strategic planning, financial management, consensus building, advocacy, certification, and standards development. As CEO, Kristy partners with volunteer leaders to advance the RIA’s mission and ensure restorers have a unified voice.

Darrell Paulson is an Honorary Board Member and Shareholder Group Spokesperson. He is a past IICRC Chairman and retired CEO of Advanced Restoration Specialists, Inc. Mr. Paulson has been an integral part of the IICRC since 1983 as a member of the BOD, Shareholder and Committee Chair. Mr. Paulson is also a well known industry veteran, speaker at conventions and association volunteer.

Mark Springer is RIA Restoration Advocate Carrier Relations a highly regarded and experienced President/CEO. Mark has a demonstrated ability to drive market-leading performance, dynamic growth, and profitability. He grew his company from 1 to 7 profitable locations through several acquisitions and greenfield growth. He led the acquisition of the company by private equity in 2020, positioning it as the platform company for FLEET Response, which surged from $20mm to over $150mm in less than 18 months.