The RIA Certified Restorer® (CR) certification was created in 1978 by the association’s then technical director, Martin L. King, CR, ASA. It is the oldest and most respected certification in the property damage repair industry. Those who earn the CR are widely recognized as being among the most professional and highly qualified practitioners in the field.

Achieving the certification involves:

• Intensive education
• Successful completion by candidates of a comprehensive four-hour examination
• Acceptance of an independent project submitted by each candidate

Several years ago, the RIA Foundation created the Martin L. King Scholarship to honor the man who created the CR certification and has impacted the lives of so many restoration professionals.

Last fall, the RIA Board of Trustees selected three CR Candidates as recipients of the Martin L. King Scholarship: Shawn Envik, BELFOR Canada; Jason Hawk, Church Restoration Group; and Tara Ripley, Guarantee System. The CR Candidates have spent the past six months completing the program and will be awarded their advanced certification at the RIA Convention in Orlando in April. They will also receive a $1,000 scholarship to help offset the cost of achieving the certification.

Jason Hawk has over 13 years of experience in the restoration industry, with an emphasis on structural drying and water. Additional experience includes project management, project specific structural drying protocols, water damage inspection activities including scheduling and inspection supervision, and consulting services. Hawk holds a number of IICRC certifications and is a Council-certified structural drying supervisor, and holds his adjuster’s license.

Shawn Envik is a second-generation project manager with BELFOR Property Restoration. He has four years of flood technician and project manager experience. Envik became a Certified Restorer to expand his working knowledge of the restoration industry.

Tara Ripley has worked in the restoration industry for approximately six years and is pursuing her CR Certification to further expand her body of knowledge. She believes that becoming a CR will greatly increase her level of professionalism.

Upcoming RIA Webinars

RIA offers a number of webinars to allow restoration professionals to pursue advanced education without leaving the office. Webinars are offered on Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

• April 23, 2014: Introduction to Federal Contracting: Are You Procurement Ready? Getting into federal contracting can be beneficial to the restoration contractor, but there are a number of things to know before jumping into this arena. Gloria Larkin, President of TargetGov, covers the new normal in federal contracting and how to plan, position and pursue winning contracts. She will explain how the government does business and how to determine if it fits a company’s business plan, strategies to help restorers get ahead of the competition, and mistakes to avoid.
• May 14, 2014: Increase Your Business’ Value BEFORE You Sell: This webinar is geared for business owners who are strategically planning their future, which may include the sale of their business. The one-hour webinar addresses how to position a company for sale, what key indicators are necessary to gain the best price, strategies to implement now for a smooth transition, as well as the psychological aspects of preparing for the next chapter of one’s career. 

 Webinars are $25 for RIA members and $55 for non-members. For more details, visit www.restorationindustry.org/content