Paul Davis Daily

Grand Rapids, MI - Amanda McKinley has joined Paul Davis Restoration of Western Michigan as the company’s marketing director. McKinley will be responsible for sharing Paul Davis Restoration’s emergency mitigation and restoration services with insurance agents and adjusters in the Grand Rapids area. McKinley will also be responsible for implementing promotional campaigns, marketing presentations and professional seminars and workshops. The office is located at 1730 Olson Street N.E., Ste. C in Grand Rapids.

“We are very pleased to have Amanda join our company and look forward to her involvement with our customers to ensure that excellent service is always provided,” said Bill Smith, Paul Davis office owner. “Her experience in sales and marketing, customer relations and community service will be an asset to our office,” he said. Smith has owned and operated the Paul Davis office in Grand Rapids since 2006. McKinley has more than 10 years of experience in the retail industry as a sales and marketing and customer service professional. She has completed coursework with the Insurance Institute of America.

Through her office membership, McKinley will be involved with the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW) and the Western Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (WMAIA). She has also served as a dedicated school volunteer in Kentwood where she currently resides with her family.For more information, contact McKinley at (616) 459.1002 or email amckinley@pdr-usa.com. Visit the website at www.pdrestoration.com.

Paul Davis has been a leader in residential and commercial loss mitigation, reconstruction and restoration services since 1966. As a national full-service restoration expert, Paul Davis Restoration has franchise office locations throughout North America. For more information about Paul Davis Restoration, call 904.737.2779 or visit the company’s website www.pdrestoration.com. 　

Waddell has owned and operated the Paul Davis office since 1985 at 2720 Colonial Gardens Road. For more information, call 812.477.5757 or email ghornbrook@pdrevansville.com. 

Glastonbury, CT – Rick Suydam, Paul Davis Restoration of Central Connecticut office owner, has recently announced the company’s Excellence in Achievement award as a Top Performing Network Contractor with Crawford Contractor Connection. According to Suydam, the honor recognizes the leading 100 performers in the national contractor network. Suydam is celebrating his tenth year in business as a Paul Davis Restoration office and is located at 107 Oakwood Drive in Glastonbury.

“The Certificate of Excellence is awarded to top performers based on overall excellence measured by customer service scores, professionalism in communications, cooperation and overall performance scores, to name a few,” said Suydam. All winners of the award will be provided with special recognition among their peers and clients at the 2009 Contract Connection conference in June. 

Paul Davis Restoration specializes in providing comprehensive emergency mitigation, restoration, reconstruction and remodeling services, as well as contents inventory tracking and recording for residential and commercial insurance claims in the areas of residential and commercial property losses due to fire, water, and natural disasters.  

Crawford Contractor Connection is the contractor managed repair division of Crawford & Company, the world’s largest independent provider of diversified services to insurance companies, self-insured, corporations, and governmental entities.  

For more information, contact Suydam at (860) 633-7733 or email rsuydam@pdr-usa.net.

Glastonbury, CT - Rick Suydam, Paul Davis Restoration of Central Connecticut office owner, has recently announced the company’s tenth anniversary in business. The company is headquartered at 107 Oakwood Drive in Glastonbury.

According to Suydam, Paul Davis Restoration of Central Connecticut has been providing comprehensive mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction services to the area since July 1999.

“It is our goal to be the restoration services company that partners with our customers to ensure their satisfaction,” said Suydam. “To achieve this, our company’s customer service program checks the progress and quality of our work throughout the restoration process,” he said.“At the national level, Paul Davis Restoration has been a leader in residential and commercial loss mitigation, reconstruction, and restoration services since 1966 with franchise office locations throughout North America,” said Suydam.

Paul Davis Restoration specializes in providing comprehensive emergency mitigation, restoration, reconstruction and remodeling services, as well as contents inventory tracking and recording for residential and commercial insurance claims in the areas of residential and commercial property losses due to fire, water, and natural disasters.

“We are honored to be celebrating 10 years in business and great success in our service territory,” said Suydam. “We are proud to be located in central Connecticut and hold a strong belief in providing exceptional customer service.”

For more information, contact Suydam at (860) 633-7733 or email rsuydam@pdr-usa.net.

Paul Davis Restoration was founded in 1966 and has franchise office locations throughout North America. For more information about Paul Davis Restoration, call 904.737.2779 or visit the website at www.pdrestoration.com .

Mill Creek, WA - Greg Thode, Paul Davis Restoration office owner in King County, has announced that the local restoration company will serve as a sponsor of the Farmers Insurance Group District 26, 2009 March of Dimes fundraiser on Tuesday, June 23 at Majestic Lanes, 1222 164th Street West in Lynnwood. From 1 pm until 3 pm, Paul Davis staff and members of the local insurance community will donate funds to the March of Dimes charity, and bowl for fun while hosting an exhibit area with displays and information about restoration and insurance services.

“The local Farmers district has a goal of raising $5,000 for the March of Dimes. Paul Davis Restoration will be teaming up to sponsor this event and provide a prize that will be raffled off with all proceeds going directly to the March of Dimes,” said Thode. “Additionally, Farmers Insurance Group is one of largest national supporters for March of Dimes and donated $4.5 million to the organization last year,” he said. “We support the March of Dimes and the non-profit organization’s work to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.”

For more information, contact Paul Davis Restoration’s Marketing Director Liz Miller at 888.996.9696 or 425.486.5362, or email lmiller@pdr-usa.net.

Paul Davis Restoration of King County has been serving the local community since 2000. The office is located at 914 164th St SE Suite 233 in Mill Creek, WA.

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Paul Davis has been a leader in residential and commercial loss mitigation, reconstruction, and restoration services since 1966. As a national full-service restoration expert, Paul Davis Restoration has 218 locations throughout North America. For more information about Paul Davis Restoration, call 904.737.2779 or visit the website at www.pdrestoration.com.

Fairfield County, CT/Pound Ridge, NY - Paul Davis Restoration recommends the following storm damage information for property owners as a public service for those who have suffered water-related losses due to storm damage such as heavy rains, hurricanes and tornados. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June until November.

According to Ed Nardella, Paul Davis Restoration franchise office owner in Fairfield County, CT and Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess Counties in NY, there are many variables involved in deciding about appropriate restoration steps for water-related storm damage to residential or light commercial structures. However, for recommendations regarding restoration of major commercial properties and building assemblies, Nardella recommends that property owners consult with professionals who have specific training and experience in this area.

“Whether insured or not, it is important for property owners to document damage with photographs or video, and immediately, to begin loss mitigation procedures themselves; or hire a qualified contractor to do this on their behalf,” said Nardella. “It is totally inappropriate to put off emergency mitigation while waiting for an insurance claims representative to arrive on the scene to evaluate the loss. By that time, in all probability sufficient time will have passed to grow and amplify microorganisms, which may not be covered by insurance,” he said.

According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), loss mitigation is defined by insurance policies as “reasonable and prudent measures designed to preserve, protect and secure property from further damage” including microbial growth and intensification. The IICRC has outlined three categories of water quality that may cause damage in buildings.

For example, “Category 1 Water” is clean at the source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. However, this water may become quickly contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings or parts of the building including walls, decking and subflooring. Time and temperature can promote the growth of microorganisms that can cause the water to degrade such as burst water pipes, ruptured lines on appliances and falling rainwater. “Category 2 Water” has some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. Time and temperature can cause this water to become progressively more contaminated. And finally, “Category 3 Water” is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans such as sewage, rising flood waters from rivers, creeks and streams, and ground surface water flowing into homes.

Nardella cautions that water can also enter a building as a result of wind storm damage. The first involves falling or windblown rainwater that enters a structure as a result of damage to roof components or wall assemblies. The second involves horizontally traveling ground surface water containing silt and soil contaminants that seep into structures through doors or around foundation walls. For example, as ground surface water or storm surge accumulates to a depth of several inches or several feet this is when structures may become partially submerged or remain substantially flooded for weeks. Then, more elaborate procedures are usually required.

“Household fungus, mold and bacteria typically require specific conditions for germination and growth to appear in the structure. They generally include an organic food source like paper or wood which are found in abundance in construction materials,” said Nardella. “Proven measures which can be implemented to control or minimize these conditions will prolong the time required for microbial growth,” he said.

With the above background information in mind, Nardella recommends emergency mitigation with safety first as the foremost consideration. “Inspect for structural integrity and ventilation with fresh moving air will discourage the growth microorganisms. Plus, check for shock hazards by turning off the supply of electricity such as circuit breakers to damaged areas. Also, anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice,” said Nardella. “However, most importantly when in doubt for your safety, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering,” he said.

Nardella advises to always be prepared by wearing personal protective equipment like protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Protect yourself from injury or exposure to microorganisms by wearing protective gloves before handling contaminated materials. Splash goggles are highly recommended to protect and prevent microorganism entry through the eyes. An organic vapor respirator like a paint respirator can prevent inhalation of most microorganisms or spores. Carefully clean all tools with appropriate detergents after use.

Nardella along with the IICRC recommends contacting a professional water restoration contractor who has specialized water-detection equipment and may be available to assist in this determination. The contractor can help to identify the source of water and extent of wetting and act accordingly which will depend on the category of water that has entered the structure.

Immediate actions such as removing unsalvageable or wet materials, looking for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials and more procedures that could save the structure may require the assistance of a professional water damage restoration company that has trained technicians, specialized cleaners, biocides, extraction, drying and dehumidifying equipment, and moisture measuring and monitoring instruments. A certified professional can be located by calling the non-profit IICRC toll free at 800-835-4624 or by contacting Paul Davis Restoration which employs only certified technicians with IICRC.

“Property owners expect immediate response in their time of need, but few insurance companies are able to have an adjuster on site in one to two hours from the time the loss is reported. Often, several days elapse. During this delay, the property owner is highly vulnerable to bad advice from uninformed neighbors, public adjusters, unscrupulous contractors, and others with their own agendas,” said Nardella.

“Ethical restoration specialists put to rest many unreasonable fears and help the insured property owner adjust quickly to the reality of the situation,” he said. “Talk to a professional in the restoration and emergency mitigation service industry before you wait too long after the damage has occurred.”

Paul Davis has been a leader in residential and commercial loss mitigation, reconstruction, and restoration services since 1966. As a national full-service restoration expert, Paul Davis Restoration has 218 Paul Davis locations throughout North America. For more information about Paul Davis Restoration, call 914-764-0307/203-922-3473 or visit the company’s website at www.pdrestoration.com. 　

Manassas, VA – June 3, 2009 – Paul Golkin, the owner of Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Suburban Virginia, was recently recognized for his generous support and work on behalf of The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. He accepted the recognition at the local American Red Cross chapter’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

According to Golkin, he is committed to providing The American Red Cross with comfort kits for area victims who have been displaced from their homes. To date, Golkin has provided 100 kits which contain personal hygiene items for families who have sometimes lost everything. Additionally, Golkin has committed his company to building a shower facility at the National Capital Area headquarters for staff and volunteers.

“The comfort kits will be distributed to local homeowners to assist them during the first 48 hours after a disaster from fire, smoke, mold, water, vandalism and other natural disasters,” said Golkin. “The shower and bath facilities will help to provide a place of relaxation and rejuvenation to the numerous American Red Cross staff and volunteers who are tireless in their service to so many in need,” he said. Golkin’s commitment to helping The American Red Cross is also shared with his two children Alexis and Andrew, who have trained to become Disaster Action Team volunteers.

Since 1997, Paul Golkin and his family have owned and operated the Paul Davis office located at 6886 Wellington Road in Manassas. For more information, call 703.335.2424 or e-mail pgolkin@pdr-usa.net. Visit the website at www.restorationvirginia.com.

Paul Davis has been a leader in residential and commercial loss mitigation, reconstruction, and restoration services since 1966. As a national full-service restoration expert, Paul Davis Restoration has 218 locations throughout North America. For more information about Paul Davis Restoration, call 904.737.2779 or visit the company’s website at www.pdrestoration.com.

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, with a ratio of 67 volunteers to each paid staff, provides relief to victims of disaster and empowers people in the D.C. Metro Area to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies. Financially supported by the generosity of the local community, your National Capital Area Chapter responds 2-3 times a day to local disasters–376 in 2008 alone–while continuing to build its capacity to effectively prepare for and respond to the next major disaster to strike our community. The National Capital Area jurisdiction includes the counties of Prince George’s, Montgomery and Fairfax; the District of Columbia; and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. The chapter maintains a field office on Fort Belvoir, and a presence at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Andrews Air Force Base. The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is the premier local resource empowering individuals and mobilizing our community to survive the unexpected and save lives.

Cuyahoga Falls, OH – June 1, 2009 - Kathy Pogue, Paul Davis Restoration of Akron owner and volunteer for NEADS – Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans and Canines for Combat Veterans, announced today that she and her daughter Anne recently attended the 46th Annual Convention of the American Legion in Cincinnati, OH on behalf of their work for NEADS. The Pogues and Chris Maddeford of Bedford, MA who is a combat veteran and recipient of service dog AJ, from the NEADS and Canines for Combat Veterans, served as co-speakers at the convention.

At the invitation of the Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Ohio and Jim “Butch” Badgett from Squadron 64 and a committee chairman, the Pogues, Maddeford and AJ were at the event to begin a two year project to raise $50,000 for NEADS and Canines for Combat Veterans. Maddeford shared his story as a soldier who sustained back injuries when a road side bomb exploded under a troop transport vehicle he was travelling in. Maddeford was in Uzbekistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. His dog AJ is trained to retrieve, help with balance, and perform other duties that allow Maddeford to return to an active life at home. AJ has also been of significant value in relieving Maddeford’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and insomnia.

“Chris is giving back to NEADS and Canines for Combat Veterans by helping other vets and speaking at events such as this to raise funds and awareness about the Canines for Combat Veterans program,” said Pogue. “This amazing program helps injured soldiers to receive highly trained dogs at no cost to them. NEADS is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for 31 years and has been engaged in the Canines for Combat Veteran Program for the last three years,” she said. The Pogues along with the support of Paul Davis Restoration speak at events throughout Ohio to help NEADS. Anne Pogue, Kathy Pogue, and Ashley Brillhart also of Paul Davis Restoration, will be going to a graduation on June 15 at Hanscom Air Force Bases in Lexington, MA where eight of the twenty service dog recipients will be donated to combat veterans. Visit the website at www.neads.org for more information about the organization.

“Any dog ‘with the right stuff’ can partner with a person to provide independence and companionship by reducing physical and social barriers. People who get dogs live in NEADS fully accessible residence for two weeks while learning to work together to develop a strong working relationship,” said Pogue. “NEADS relies solely on the support of individuals, foundations, corporations, service organizations, bequests and workplace campaigns. So, the organization receives no government funding and we’re here to help,” she said. For more information, contact Anne and Kathy Pogue, or Ashley Brillhart at Paul Davis Restoration of Akron at 330.920.1936 or email kpogue@pdr-usa.net.

Grand Island, NE – June 1, 2009 – Nick Suminski, Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Grand Island office owner, announced today that his office has formally completed the restoration of a historic bell tower and church steeple for Zion Lutheran Church, 2247 County Road 400 in Tobias, NE.

“The church steeple and bell tower project holds great significance in Tobias and in southeast Nebraska. The town of Tobias is a small rural community with a population of only 151 residents,” said Suminski. “Zion Lutheran Church was founded and organized in 1879 while the farming community was formally incorporated in 1884,” he said.

“The church constructed its initial building in its current rural setting in 1900 and in 1907, a 1,500 pound church bell was brought to the church by train and a team of horses and was pulled up into the bell tower by means of block and tackle,” said Suminski. “However, the building was struck by lightening and burned to the ground that same year. Another building and exact duplicate structure was built and dedicated in 1908,” he said.

According to Suminski, the bell tower and steeple blew off of the church in high winds in July 2008. “The base of the bell tower was approximately 40 feet of the ground and the bell tower and steeple were destroyed in the fall,” he said. “The bell tower is close to 13 feet tall and the steeple is 32 feet tall, with the cross another five feet above that. The bell survived the fall however the cradle and hammer for the bell was damaged,” Suminski said.

Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Grand Island was contacted on July 31, 2008 just after the disastrous incident. After numerous meetings with church contacts along with an engineer, architect and adjuster it was decided that an engineer was required to draw and design a new bell tower and steeple to fit with current building codes and standards and duplicated as close to the original as possible.

“The work authorization was signed on March 2 of this year and the remains of the bell tower and steeple were loaded onto a semi trailer and hauled to our work location in Grand Island. The bell was taken to a local welding and machine shop for remanufacturing of the cradle,” said Suminski. “The bell tower and steeple are being constructed in two separate pieces. They will be lifted onto the church with a crane using cables that have been built into the structure,” he said. “After the structure is set in place, the cables will be trimmed and reused to aid in securing the new structure to existing structure,” he said.

According to Suminski, the total damage to the front of the church from the July 2008 storm is still unknown at this time. “We expect the building contractor to remove siding from the church down to ground level to assure that all frame work is in good condition prior to setting the new bell tower and steeple. We hope to lift the bell tower and steeple onto the new structure in early June.”

Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Grand Island has been providing restoration and remodeling services to central Nebraska since 2002. The company is located at 515 South Webb Road, Ste. D in Grand Island and has earned a reputation for leadership and integrity, while winning awards for ethical conduct and excellence in craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. For more information, call (308) 398-0370 or email nsuminski@pdr-usa.net.

Paul Davis has been a leader in remodeling, reconstruction, and restoration services since 1966.  As a national full-service remodeling and restoration expert, Paul Davis Restoration has 218 locations throughout North America. Visit the website at www.pdrestoration.com .

Wilmington, NC – Scott Nicholas has joined Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of the Carolina Coast as the company’s marketing representative. Nicholas will be responsible for sharing Paul Davis Restoration’s emergency mitigation, restoration and remodeling services with insurance agents, adjusters and property owners in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover and Pender counties. He will also be responsible for implementing promotional campaigns, marketing presentations and professional seminars and workshops. The office is located at 3224 Kitty Hawk Road in Wilmington.

“We are very pleased to have Scott join our company and look forward to his involvement with our customers to ensure that excellent service is always provided,” said Paul Hunter, Paul Davis office owner. “His experience in marketing, sales and customer service will be an asset to our office,” he said.

Hunter has owned and operated the Paul Davis office in Wilmington since 1997. Nicholas has extensive experience as a marketing, sales and finance professional in the automotive and office furnishings field. He holds a B.S. degree from the University of West Virginia in Morgantown, WV. For more information, contact Nicholas at (910) 452-7290 or email snicholas@pdr-usa.com. ###