Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Conference & Exhibition
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Restoration and Remediation Industry News

RIA News: RIA Sets a Course for the Future

By Patricia L. Harman
March 1, 2007
During the past year the Restoration Industry Association has been quietly restructuring the association, retooling its leadership councils and developing new education programs that will provide maximum benefit to members and industry professionals alike



During the past year the Restoration Industry Association has been quietly restructuring the association, retooling its leadership councils and developing new education programs that will provide maximum benefit to members and industry professionals alike.

Part of the restructuring has included the adoption of a new code of ethics, a new mission statement, and a very specific strategic plan. According to RIA Executive Director Don Manger, the strategic plan will “focus the association’s resources to better serve the rug and carpet cleaners, disaster restoration specialists, environmental remediators and associated professionals who work in this exciting industry.”

RIA's new mission statement also provides the foundation for association activities through its mission statement: RIA provides leadership, supports science, and promotes best practices for the cleaning and restoration industry.

“The planners were candid and forceful in identifying areas where RIA could be of greater service, and one area they addressed was providing leadership in the industry,” Manger said. “While no industry is perfect, RIA members have seen a shift in the ethics of the restoration market, which has reduced consumer choice and economic competitiveness. This is one of the primary reasons the plan aims to place ASCR at the center of the debate on practices that deny competitive choices to consumers.”

While the plan encourages new directions for RIA, it reinforces the importance of its blue chip certification programs such as the Certified Restorer, Water Loss Specialist, Certified Mold Professional, Certified Rug Specialist and others. “The recent creation of RIA’s first education department represents a major commitment to strengthen the upper-tier educational programming that the industry has come to expect from us,” Manger said.

The restructuring of RIA’s councils involves the creation of smaller, more vision-focused groups that will determine the direction of RIA’s education initiatives, address critical issues for the industry and provide recommendations to RIA’s board of directors for the association’s long-range planning. 

RIA councils support its three industry divisions: disaster restoration; environmental; and rug, carpet and textiles. “The RIA Board realized the councils were not being utilized to their full potential,” RIA President Brian Spiegel, CR, of Spiegel Certified Restoration, said. “This new structure encourages individuals with unique expertise to collaborate for the benefit of the entire industry.”

The new structure is designed to increase volunteer opportunities for ASCR members on association committees and task forces, giving the councils the opportunity to concentrate on matters of long-term significance to the industry. Leading the RIA Disaster Restoration Council will be Mike Goldberg, CR, of RestoreCore, Harrisburg, Pa.; Art Johnson, CR, WLS, of Canstar Restoration, Inc. in Vancouver, B.C., will head the Environmental Council; and Tony Legenstein, CRS, of Certified Carpet in Lancaster, Pa., will assume the reins at the Rug, Carpet and Textile Council.

ASCR Offers "Solutions" in Orlando

Solutions, RIA’s 62nd annual convention and exhibition, will be held March 13-16 at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa in Orlando, Fla. Several new attractions have been added to the convention, including three optional full-day events for textile, environmental and restoration specialists, and the entire program expanded in scope.

To maximize attendees’ education time onsite, early bird sessions have been incorporated into two days of the convention. There will be two keynote speakers who will address the topics of “how the best get better” and “training employees for the millennium.” RIA has also added a business track to its existing textile, environmental and remediation tracks, providing more than 56 hours of education over a three-day period.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Patricia L. Harman is the director of communications and standards for the Restoration Industry Association and editor-in-chief of Cleaning & Restoration magazine. For more information on RIA, visit www.restorationindustry.org

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

Pop Art Female Superhero Punches a Masked Villain

TPAs vs. Independence: The Restoration Industry’s Own Version of the Cola Wars

RIA Carrier Advocate Mark Springer

Turning the Page: A New Era of Trust and Collaboration in Restoration

Paul Davis Restoration Leadership Team

Justin Graham Expands Paul Davis Restoration’s Reach with Acquisition of Greater Seattle Franchise

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • ria logo red white

    RIA News: What Impacts your Business?

    See More
  • news2_FT

    RIA Initiatives Educate and Protect the Industry

    See More
  • RIA_FT

    RIA Convention Provides Important Industry Overview

    See More
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing