Inspection, Education, and Industry Growth

How inspection, education, and standards are shaping the future of the restoration industry

Welcome back to another episode of TradeTalks: Unlocking The Experience. On this week’s episode we’re joined by Damien Monaghan, CEO of Rumsey Construction & Restoration. He shares his thoughts on where the industry is heading, why inspection and assessment are so crucial to our industry, and what to expect at his session this fall.

Listen on the go!

Key takeaways of this episode are:

Damien started his career as a brick mason. Shortly after that the infamous 2008 housing crash forced him to take a temp job driving a desiccant, and the rest is history.
He wants the restoration, inspection, and cleaning industries to be recognized as a legitimate trade, with stronger certification/licensing, and he’s excited about the continued growth of the industry with tools like advanced technology.
He wants attendees to walk away with a deeper appreciation for inspection and a clearer understanding of the distinctions between inspection, assessment, and evaluation.
Damien says The Experience is the place to see “who’s who” and learn what’s next in the industry. It’s known to have a cutting-edge ideas, networking, and cross-industry connection.
Fun fact: Damien was born in Ireland and is still an Irish citizen; his son was the first American-born child in his family.

You can see Damien on stage at The Experience on Friday, September 11, from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. To learn more about his session, check out the agenda.

We look forward to seeing you at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV from September 9 -11, 2026. To register and learn more about the event, click here.

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Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.