By definition, restoration  is the art of bringing something back to its original condition or better.  Think about that for a moment.

While typically we ponder on items such as homes, contents or even automobiles as items that can be restored once they have been damaged in some way, seldom do we imagine that our very lives may be crushed to the point of needing restoration.  Furthermore, the opportunity for full recovery from loss if restoration does occur rarely exists.

And yet, that is exactly the story of triumph from devastation that our Emergency Services Manager, John Gentry, brings to us.

Not unlike many in today’s society, John grew up without an important figure being present daily in his life.  The separation and divorce of his parents when he was nine years old brought about a lifestyle change that at first threatened to strangle his boyhood, but in the end actually birthed in him an independence and strength that would be unmatched  by many of his peers.

Only shortly after John and his mom sought lodging in his grandparent’s home, his grandfather suffered a stroke.  The only dominant male figure left in his daily life was no longer able to communicate in the same way with him.  Neither were there any more opportunities to be had with his grandfather for tossing a baseball back and forth, or for long walks through the streets of Brevard where he was growing up rather too rapidly – not by any choice of his own.  Devastation upon devastation seemed to overtake his young life.  And yet for John, there were no second thoughts or backwards glances about what he was to do.

Chopping wood and mowing grass became second nature to John’s young frame.  Being the only able-bodied male in a house with three women and an invalid, there was little time for deciding between boyhood and manhood.  John watched and listened to those around him while he delved into the role of caretaker for his grandfather, grandmother, mom and sister.  And as he did so, he grew to love and respect the quiet strength and strong work ethic that he saw patterned in his grandmother, and adopted such as his own standard for living.

John grew up quickly, leaving high school on the road to greater opportunity.  That is exactly what brought him to First Restoration Services in 2004.  John began his career path by immediately incorporating the grunt of hard work that he had learned and adopted as a boy into his day to day routine.  His first job was pulling insulation from a crawl space – not a glamorous start by any means, but one in which his backbone efforts won him recognition as a man who was tough and capable.  As he continued daily with his nose to the grind at First Restoration Services, he continued strengthening his own personal belief that integrity is a learned and practiced trait and one that was worth patterning for others.  He hired his younger brother to work for him at his home with every intention to teach him just as he had been taught – that hard work pays off, and that one’s worth is often simply found in a job well done.

In 2007, John was voted to be Employee of the Quarter  by the other department managers.  At the same time, John’s enthusiasm for his job heightened, but it wasn’t until 2009 when John was promoted to Emergency Services Manager that the real seat of honor was taken.  The company had changed its voting procedures slightly over the years, allowing technicians and other employees to enter into the voting process along with the managers.  With that change, John was voted Employee of the Year in 2011.

While to some there may be no significance associated with that event, to John the difference came in knowing that the technicians he supervised every day awarded him that title, and with it their respect.   To be sure, when an emergency call comes in, John is on the scene, either personally or through the veins of his teaching as his technicians plunge elbow deep into the mire of the job at hand.

Never is there a doubt that when a disaster happens, John is at the helm of making sure that it is taken care of thoroughly, diligently, with integrity, and always….with a reminder of his grandmother’s smile and nod of praise.

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I can think of only a few things more devastating than suffering a total loss from a fire.  In fact, loss of a life might be the only thing topping such a disaster.  It is no wonder, then, that restoring lives is at the core of what we do.

When the fireman’s call to duty is sounded, our call to duty is fueled by the hearts in the homes of those who have suffered loss.  We certainly respond rapidly to the call, and without a doubt we busy ourselves with the tasks before us to clean, to restore and to reconstruct a home.  But what of the lives that have been scorched by the flames of the loss?  Behind every other move we make, people motivate our response.

Recently we had the privilege to serve a woman whose home had literally disintegrated into ashes around her.  And yet, I witnessed this woman move in and out of our office and our lives carrying more dignity and hope than most of us could even dream of possessing.  Our technicians worked alongside her on site as she sat barefoot among the ashes on that barely 20 degree day, having lost all to the fire except a few somewhat salvageable items.  And yet at the end of their first day on the job, their reports were of her laughter.  

The few coats that the firemen were able to salvage had been tossed aside in a nearly building in their frenzy of putting out the blaze.  When I called to check on her the day after we received the call of her loss, her only request was to see if we might be able to get her a coat cleaned…but “don’t rush; I know you have other things going on now besides this one loss.”  Really?  Don’t rush?  And that was the very day that our technicians witnessed her in flip-flops, sorting through the ashes of what once was her solace – her home.

People, not loss, are what sound the cry that echoes in our hearts long after the work has been done and we have clocked out for the day.  When our technicians return from a job site, they might utter a word or two about what they entailed on a job, but more likely, their words will reflect the faces and the very hearts of those they have had the privilege to serve that day.

First Restoration Services is certainly at the forefront of restoring homes to pre-loss condition – or better!  But fueling the passion for delivering a service that is detailed with integrity, quality workmanship and deep professionalism is a heart for the people we serve, and an understanding that what others have just experienced in their loss is perhaps the most devastating encounter they have had to experience in this life.  And if not the most devastating, certainly one of mammoth proportions that deserves our utmost care and concern.

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This past weekend we hosted the MSPCA here in Asheville. Companies from NC SC VA GA came to hear David Kilpatrick speak on engaging our employees. He came to us from CTC Group ( Consulting Training and Coaching ). We also heard from Mike Sowinski from CFO Consultants. Mike gave a two hour presentation on How to Buy and Sell a Business.
Friday evening the group toured our contents cleaning facility, then we all went out to dinner.
I say all that to say this. You need to be connected to your peers. You can learn so much from networking with fellow owners of companies like your own. The information is valuable and real time.

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We sponsored a hole at the AHBA 2011 Golf Tournament.  There were a lot of good golfers out there (drivers anyway).  We gave away a sleeve of golf balls for the worst shot from each team.  It was a good event.  It is important to First Restoration Services to give back and support our local associations.

First Restoration Services of Asheville specializes in smoke odor removal and cleaning of all types in Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania counties, and surrounding areas.  First Restoration Services is also the only restoration contractor west of Charlotte that has the Esporta Wash System and the Fireline Ultrasonics Cleaning System.

Disasters Happen. We Take Care of Them All.  828-684-1582 or 800-537-6151.

www.facebook.com/firstrestorationwnc

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A tradition here at First Restoration Services is to have a monthly breakfast with the guys. This month Shelley and myself prepared breakfast for the guys, here in the shop. Pancakes, sausage, and fruit rounded out the meal with all the toppings for the pancakes. It’s always fun to get with the guys and share a meal together. Afterwards we went to the confrence room and viewed some funny videos that have been sent to me by various people. It’s fun to get together with no agenda in mind.

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It seems like I just put all the Christmas stuff away and now I am looking at a time when I can reinstall it in the same manner as the year before. It takes an extreme amount of energy every year to deal with all the events of the season. From figuring out all the entertaining schedules to which football game to watch to what to buy “THAT” person that has everything. Sometimes it just plain overwhelming.
So my advice to everyone this season is….. slow down…enjoy what the season has to bring. Because time slips away oh so fast.

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Good Morning!

We are all in sales and marketing aren’t we?  It’s so refreshing to work with a team that fosters that development.

We were privileged to attend DKI Marketing Summit in Charlotte NC last week.   If you have never been “Marvinized” by speaker and author Marvin Montgomery you are missing out! He spoke of attitude and how imortant it is to listen to the needs of our customers. Basic stuff-huh? It is surprising how we forget to ask and listen isn’t it?

Good Selling to all and make it a great day!

Sherri

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This award recognizes the Asheville area’s fastest growing small business enterprises for their outstanding achievements and contributions to our region’s economy.
First Restoration Services of Asheville is a three year winner of the award.

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I did not know that Hallmark had created a National Boss Day. I think I’ll send them a note thanking them for such a day…..probably not !!!!
Was I ever surprised by our employees last Friday by an early morning blow out for  my wife Shelley and I.  We were blown away by all the great things said about us and the way we treat our employees and run this business.
This kind act demonstrates to me a couple of things.
1. We have great employees, that perform without hesitation to their duties. Sometimes it’s just not a glamorous days work, but there is always a teamwork attitude and they get the tasks done.

2. It also shows me that due diligence in hiring  great individuals suited for the job description really pays off. Using good hiring practices eliminates having to use firing practices.

So, thanks again guys and gals for all the great praises and food but I really want you to know…..without you, the employees, First Restoration Services of Asheville would not be the great company it is today.

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