Columbia, MD – The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) announces the appointment of G. Pete Consigli, CR, WLS, as Development Adviser and Facilitator. He has been a member of RIA (formerly the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration) since 1977, and recently served as the vice chairman of the Restoration Advisory Council. In his new role, Consigli will serve as development adviser for RIA’s Industry Defense Fund, a special adviser on industry affairs, as facilitator of the association’s signature Water Loss Specialist program, and other RIA educational initiatives.

As the development adviser for the Industry Defense Fund (IDF), Consigli will set funding goals, develop financial strategies, foster mutually-beneficial alliances and create fundraising opportunities. More than $14,000 was spent in 2006 on lobbying against anti-competitive practices in the P&C insurance industry. Supporting legislation that protects the restoration industry and consumers will be a core focus of RIA going forward.

An industry activist for more than three decades, Consigli’s credentials include serving on the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) board of directors and their S500 (‘94 and ’99) Water Damage Restoration Standards Task Forces.

“Pete has always been a tremendous asset to RIA,” said Don Manger, Executive Director, “making him a natural choice for this critical new role. We wanted someone educated about the industry and tenacious enough to take our mission to the members and allies in other associations as we build our presence among lawmakers – and he’s just the person to do it.”

As part of its mission to provide industry leadership, support science and promote best practices for cleaning and restoration, RIA’s board views taking a strong position on consumer freedom of choice legislation as a leadership responsibility. “RIA members need to support this effort not just verbally, but also financially by contributing to the Industry Defense Fund,” said Consigli.

The Industry Defense Fund is not a political action committee, so contributions will not be used to support candidates running for office. “The IDF will be used to support legislation, regulation, or legal initiatives that can have a material impact on preserving the integrity of the cleaning, restoration, and remediation markets in the U.S. and abroad,” said Manger.

Well experienced in damage evaluation and emergency response, Consigli has managed or consulted on numerous restoration projects including water removal, structural drying and mold remediation resulting from hurricane damage, sewer backflows, fire and smoke damage, odor problems, skunk and tear gas emissions, and trauma and crime scene clean-ups.

“I am very excited to move into a formal role with RIA and to work with so many dedicated leaders and staff,” said Consigli. “The fact that the Board of Directors had the vision to create the Industry Defense Fund shows the kind of strong leadership that converts the Association’s mission statement from words into action.”

RIA represents 1200 member businesses and the finest practitioners in the cleaning and restoration industry worldwide. At 62 years strong, RIA will continue to represent the best in the industry, while setting a strong course for the future. For more information, please go to www.restorationindustry.org or call 443-878-1000.