The Restoration & Remediation’s Technician Award goal is celebrating and honoring restoration technicians, giving them the industrywide visibility they deserve for their noble and frontline work.

Technician Award nominees must exhibit qualities such as leadership, career progress, a clear passion for the industry and making strides within their organizations and the industry. There is no minimum requirement for where nominees are in their career, they can be in their infancy or well into their journey as a frontline worker.

This year, there were several finalists for the Technician Award. Each nomination was carefully reviewed and scored by a panel of industry judges and one finalist came out on top.

Meet Kaylin Glaspie, the 2025 Technician Award Winner

Kaylin wasn’t too familiar with our industry, but a friend of hers mentioned her employer was hiring and she decided to submit her application. Kaylin, like many of us, didn’t have plans to make a career out of the restoration industry, most of us start a career path elsewhere and fate happens to drop the restoration world right into our laps. Long story short, Kaylin ended up falling in love with her everyday work and the commitment it takes to make a lasting difference in someone’s life. What started out as a friend referring her to a job, turned into an unexpected love and career path that she never imagined.

“What started as something unexpected turned into a career that I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Credit: Kaylin Glaspie

Kaylin’s Journey and Servant Heart

Kaylin started her journey as an entry level technician in 2021 and quickly rose to the position of Crew Chief for a local restoration company. She then ventured out and found her way to CLEAN Restoration where she started as a technician and quickly proved she not only had the technical proficiency, but strong work ethic and the commitment to excellence which moved her up the ladder to Lead Technician. In her role, she consistently sets the standard for quality and efficiency on job sites, mentors new team members and supports the team’s success. 

Throughout her career, she has had several pivotal moments, but one in particular sticks out to her. She was on a big project, and every time she turned around there seem to be more and more damage, while it was frustrating, she saw a key lesson. She realized it was a time to take a step back, slow down and really focus on each task at hand, but also still seeing and understanding the bigger picture. She not only trusted herself, but trusted her team, their training and the bond they had to do their jobs right. That experience not only taught her that leadership doesn’t always mean rushing ahead but taking the route of staying steady when everything else around you seem chaotic. 

Kaylin takes pride in her role and work day in and day out. Not only does she love to problem solve, but she also loves bringing in her team to take part in the problem solving. Everyone has different ideas and perspectives which not only helps everyone have a voice, but it also allows their team to grow, have an unbreakable bond and a culture that is unmatched. She is always looking for ways to improve how they communicate and work together so their customers always receive the best service and have the best experience possible, even when times are trying.

"Kaylin exemplifies CLEAN Restoration’s Extreme Ownership culture—leading with accountability, mentoring others, and driving continuous improvement. Her proactive mindset and commitment to excellence are shaping both her team and the future of the company."
– Jeff Butler, Owner of CLEAN Restoration

During her time at CLEAN Restoration, she has shown exceptional dedication to the restoration through her pursuit of excellence, eagerness to grow and respect and understanding of the impact that her work has on people’s everyday lives. She also approaches every job with professionalism, care, compassion, heart and most importantly her commitment to help clients through some of their most difficult times. 

Credit: Kaylin Glaspie

It is no secret that her dedication and her willingness to go above and beyond are one of her best attributes. She always goes to great lengths to make sure the job is complete to industry standards, takes the time to explain the restoration process to her customers and steps up during high-stake situations and doesn’t bat an eye. Like any great lead technician, she always prioritizes quality, safety, client trust and understanding her work is more than just about the technical aspect, it’s also about restoring people’s lives and their peace of mind. 

When we asked Kaylin what impact this award has on her both personally and professionally, she expressed that this is a true testament of how far she has come not only as an industry professional but as a person. This is a humbling experience to show her how much she has grown, and it motivates her to continue learning and setting an example for others in our industry. This award doesn’t just highlight her hard work, it shows that her passion and love for her day-to-day work has been noticed and appreciated not just by her leadership team, but her peers and fellow industry professionals.

Credit: Kaylin Glaspie

Industry Certifications

Kaylin’s industry certifications include:

• IICRC Certifications
  • Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)
  • Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT)

This is just the beginning of for Kaylin as she plans to continue her training and education. In the next six months she plans on adding Applied Structural Drying (ASD) and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) to her list of certifications.

She is dedicated to building and growing her knowledge and after winning this award, she was promoted to Project Manager. She has the skillset, mindset and most importantly the drive and dedication to take on the new role.  In addition, she continuously reinforces the culture of accountability, innovation and excellence at CLEAN Restoration.

Credit: Kaylin Glaspie

Building Blocks

You’ve already learned so much about Kaylin, but she also plays a pivotal role in mentoring and training their new technicians. She has a love and passion in helping their new technicians find their footing. She shares the same advice with all their new technicians, “Watch and learn, ask a lot of questions, stay alert and show up every day with the best attitude possible. We’re here to bring comfort to those during the chaos and that starts with caring about what you do and who you are helping.”

Not only is she helping pave the way for their new technicians, but she is also paving her own. She has found her “why” and it’s turning chaos into comfort for their customers. Working on the frontlines is the foundation of restoring not just damage, but people’s lives. When people call on their team in a time of need and they often feel overwhelmed, she provides peace when her and her team come in, bring a sense of calmness and a helping hand. Not only is she setting a standard for herself, she’s also a role model for future generations at CLEAN Restoration and for the restoration industry.

Advice for Fellow Technicians

As Kaylin was once inspired to pursue a career in the restoration industry, she has some advice for those who are in the industry and those who may be interested in starting a career. 

“We show up every day to make a difference in our customers’ lives. Most importantly we show up for each other. We’re a team.”

This industry depends on our frontline workers, their dedication, love and passion. While the work can be tough, and mentally draining, when you’re with your crew and you remember your “why” it carries you through. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is giving you customers peace of mind, getting them back into their home or business, even when they didn’t think it was possible. Most customers don’t know where to start, how to get back to “normalcy” and have no idea what the process is like. That’s where technicians not only use their technical skills, but they also use their people skills, too. You have the opportunity to help people every single day and often be the hero they needed in a time of chaos.

If you love helping people, this is the path for you. Do what you love every day, not only is it fulfilling, but it’s also rewarding. Kaylin has been in the industry for four short years, and she’s climbed the ladder based on her grit, determination and love for the industry. It’s possible for you too.

Credit: Kaylin Glaspie

In Kaylin’s Free Time

In Kaylin’s free time she loves spending time with her two sons and family. They’re her biggest motivation and they are the reason why she continues to push herself to not only succeed but improve her skills, education and training. She enjoys the time she has with her family whether they are out and about doing something fun or just relaxing. She pairs enjoying family time and recharging for the days ahead in the field, the ultimate balance and relaxation.

Meet the Runners-up

Photo: Bravo Restoration

Israel (Izzy) Huerta
Field Supervisor Bravo Restoration 

Israel, affectionately known as Izzy by many, boasts over a decade of experience in this industry! He embarked on his journey as an entry-level technician specializing in mitigating emergency situations involving water, mold, fire, and biohazard issues. In a remarkably short span, he not only gained the respect of his colleagues but also garnered admiration from numerous industry professionals.

What makes Israel's journey even more remarkable is that English is his second language. Nonetheless, he rapidly ascended the career ladder, mastering all the intricacies of mitigation along the way. As the years passed, he discovered his true passion for construction.

Today, a little over ten years since he embarked on this path, Israel has rightfully earned his position as a field supervisor overseeing both the mitigation and repairs departments. His dedication and expertise continue to shine, making him an invaluable asset to the Bravo Restoration team.

Photo: Bravo Restoration

Mayra Gonzaga
Bravo Restoration and Construction

Mayra Gonzaga is a key part of the team at Bravo Restoration, known for her exceptional attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality service. She has a passion for helping clients restore their homes and businesses after unexpected disasters, Mayra brings both technical expertise and compassion to every project she undertakes.

Her dedication to continuous learning and mastery of restoration techniques has earned her the respect of peers and clients alike. Mayra exemplifies professionalism and integrity, making her a trusted resource in the restoration industry. Whether tackling complex water damage, fire restoration or mold remediation, she approaches each challenge with precision and care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those she serves.

Meet Our Judges 

Photo: Eric Sprague

Eric Sprague
Owner of Super Tech University 

Eric Sprague is a longtime cleaning and restoration veteran. Upon selling his restoration business, Sprague developed, and is director of education for, MorningTechMeeting.com, a daily video training membership site teaching technicians the life skills required to excel in the field. In addition to his training business, Sprague is the co-host of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast.

Photo: Scott Tackett

Scott Tackett
Director of Organizational Development at Violand Management Associates

Scott is recognized as a leading authority in human resources, organizational development, and organizational leadership for small businesses. As a seasoned business consultant and coach, Scott helps companies and people achieve their maximum potential. He is also a facilitator, business trainer, and former adjunct professor for Kent State University. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, both from Geneva College.