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.

Joe Spurgeon, PHD, has a multidisciplinary doctorate degree in Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Health from the University of Pittsburgh; and was a Certified Industrial Hygienist from 1993 - 2013. His career has included working as a research chemist on the NBS Lead-Paint Poisoning Program, directing the FAA’s Combustion Toxicology Laboratory, performing Health Assessments for CDC/ATSDR, implementing US EPA’s Laboratory Exposure Assessment Project, and working as a consultant specializing in microbial indoor air quality for US PHS. He has performed numerous residential and commercial investigations involving water intrusions and microbial contaminants; has taught courses on mold investigations, sampling, and data interpretation methods; and has served as an expert witness in numerous mold cases. His books are available at http://expertonmold.com/

Danny Gough calls himself a slow learner trying to retire. He works out of Yadkinville, NC and his specialties include Building Performance Consulting, Psychometric analysis and advanced humidity control, Design of HVAC systems for Low Energy Buildings, Geothermal, Solar, Radiant, and Service hot water. Mr. Gough is also an Approved Instructor for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). He also provides continuing education Instruction for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and for the NC licensing board for General contractors.

Dr Irene Grant is an Infectious Disease specialist with expertise in infectious complications in the immunocompromised and unusual infections in the immunocompetent. In the 1980’s, in the midst of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, she trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, under Dr. Donald Armstrong (former President of the Infectious Disease Society of America) where she acquired training in Microbiology and Hospital Infection Control. Thereafter she spent years in academic medicine as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1988 – 2000) and later Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College, involved in teaching, clinical epidemiology, and research, while treating inner city patients in the HIV “epicenter” in the Bronx.

Later, in private practice, she applied her experience investigating unusual illnesses to help her patients sick from hazardous indoor exposures. For the past 24 years, she has evaluated and treated hundreds of debilitated patients and families with environmentally proven hazardous microbial exposures, correlating the development of multi-system illness with hazardous exposures, the reliability of diagnostic tests, and efficacy of anti-fungal treatment.

Scott Maysura is a seasoned business consultant and advisor with over 20 years of experience in the restoration and services industry. Beyond owning and operating restoration companies, Scott successfully grew a plumbing and HVAC startup, providing him with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by trade businesses.

Scott works closely with clients to drive growth and operational excellence by developing and implementing strategic plans, systems, and processes. His expertise includes operations management, commercial large-loss experience, and leadership development. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a diploma in Small Business Management, and recognition as a Triple Master Restorer, Scott combines a unique blend of business acumen and industry-specific insights.

Scott is passionate about helping business owners simplify complexity, optimize their operations, and achieve sustainable success. Connect with Scott at [email protected].

This week we welcome back Jon Isaacson the Intentional Restorer, to discuss an issue that comes up across disciplines and project management. With all the new tools available today what seems to be working and what is a waste of time lets LEARN MORE this week on IAQ Radio+.

The Intentional Restorer, is a contractor, author, educator, and host of The DYOJO Podcast. The goal of The DYOJO is to help contractors shorten their DANG learning curve.

As President and Chief Acquisitions Officer for ATI, Jeff Moore drives the company’s growth and spearheads key initiatives that focus on the future of the organization. His current role involves overseeing mergers and acquisitions and ensuring ATI’s continued expansion. In his current role, Jeff leverages his industry expertise to identify growth opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and expand ATI’s footprint across the United States. By focusing on acquisitions and fostering a culture of innovation, Jeff propels ATI forward, consistently exceeding industry expectations. With his extensive experience and deep understanding of the industry, Jeff has successfully led ATI’s steady growth through more than 15 acquisitions, positioning the company for continued success.

Derrick A. Denis, a Senior Vice President with Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC) and is an internationally recognized environmental health and safety (EH&S) expert. CSC is a full-service industrial hygiene (IH) and environmental testing/consulting company with locations in Arizona and multiple locations in California. CCS has extensive expertise working across the country in anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards in indoor and outdoor environments. They are also specialists in wildland-urban-interface fires and lithium-ion battery fires (EVs, mobility devices etc.).

Mr. Denis is a practitioner, inventor, educator, author and volunteer, who has provided professional industrial hygiene (IH), environmental health and safety (EH&S), infection control (IC), and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) services domestically and abroad for over 32 years. He is also a renowned impartial expert in insurance and litigation disputes (composing declarations, providing depositions, and testifying in trials, etc.) for both plaintiffs and defendants. In addition Mr. Denis is a sought-after presenter and instructor, who has provided hundreds of educational sessions for associations around the world.

Carl Zimmer is the author of  fifteen books about science. His latest book is Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe. Zimmer writes the “Origins” column for the New York Times. His writing has earned a number of awards, including the Stephen Jay Gould Prize, awarded by the Society for the Study of Evolution. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he contributed to the coverage that won the New York Times the public service Pulitzer Prize in 2021.

Three of his books have been named Notable Books of the Year by the New York Times Book Review. His book She Has Her Mother’s Laugh won the 2019 National Academies Communication Award. The Guardian named it the best science book of 2018.

Zimmer is a familiar voice on radio programs such as Radiolab and professor adjunct at Yale University. He is, to his knowledge, the only writer after whom both a species of tapeworm and an asteroid have been named.

A graduate of the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Wane A. Baker is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH retired) with four decades of experience in the operation, maintenance and evaluation of various building types. This includes more than 30 years at a professional level in environmental consulting, construction and energy conservation. Wane offers his clients a powerful combination of education, experience and enthusiasm in his role as a forensic engineer, building scientist and occupational hygienist.

Mr. Baker has managed or personally conducted thousands of assessments of the built environment, from private residences to surgical suites, and elementary schools to million square foot training centers. He has also performed forensic investigations of building failures and has offered expert testimony in litigation support.

Following are just a few of his many volunteer activities:

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force (ETF), Air Filtration and Disinfection Team

Chair, ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee (2016-17)

Chair, AIHA IEQ Committee (2012-13)

ASHRAE SSPC 62.1, 52.2, GPC 27, TC 2.3, 2.4

ASHRAE IAQ Conference Steering Committees (2013, 2016)

Peer-reviewer, ASHRAE Journal