Introducing R&R's 2026 Women in Restoration Award Winner, Meredith Truitt!
September 2, 2026
Introducing R&R's 2026 Women in Restoration Award Winner, Meredith Truitt!
September 2, 2026
This prestigious award recognizes women who continue to move the restoration industry forward through their professional growth, leadership, community involvement, certifications, and commitment to serving others.
This year, we received nominations from across the restoration industry, each sharing remarkable stories of perseverance, leadership, and service. One woman stood out not only because of what she has accomplished, but because of how she has spent her career helping others succeed alongside her.
After spending time with Meredith, it's hard not to notice that nearly every conversation eventually turns toward someone else. Whether she's celebrating a coworker, encouraging a friend, or connecting two people who should know each other, Meredith has a way of making everyone else the focus. That's simply who she is, and it's one of the many reasons she was selected as R&R's 2026 Women in Restoration winner.
Watch Meredith's Ask the Expert interview for her full story.
Meet Meredith
Meredith Truitt is known as the "Heart of Southern Hospitality" at Reets Drying Academy, but little does she realize her impact extends far beyond the academy's walls. Spend just a few minutes with Meredith, and you'll quickly understand why so many people describe her that way.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Meredith began her restoration career more than 15 years ago and is the longest-tenured employee at Reets Drying Academy. Like many in our industry, she didn't map out a career in restoration. She was simply looking for something outside of sales when Jeremy Reets happened to be searching for an Account Manager to help grow ReetsTV. And, as they say, the rest is history.
“I’ve worked with Meredith for 16 years, and her growth in that time has been remarkable. She has a natural genius for people – she connects quickly, builds genuine friendships, and understands the social side of the business in a way that can’t be taught. She’s a sharp businesswoman who knows how to maintain relationships across the industry, including our competitors. That has earned her a level of trust me from that is uncommon.” – Jeremy Reets
Meredith is a humble social butterfly who loves learning, building relationships, and connecting with industry professionals across the world. If you stopped Meredith today and told her she was one of the restoration industry's leaders, she'd probably smile, laugh, and quickly correct you.
"Leader? Me?"
That response tells you almost everything you need to know about Meredith. She doesn't see herself as a leader. She sees herself as the industry's biggest cheerleader. Someone who loves to learn, connect, and help others grow.
Beyond that, she simply sees herself as someone who loves this industry. What she doesn't always realize is just how many lives she has encouraged and influenced by simply showing up, investing in others, and genuinely caring about people.
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Credit: Meredith Truitt
While Meredith may be one of the humblest people you'll ever meet, she approaches both her career and the restoration industry with three simple questions:
- How can we work together?
- How can we make the industry better?
- How can we make a difference in our customers' lives?
It sounds simple. But that's exactly who Meredith is.
Finding Her Calling
What started as perfect timing eventually became a career, an opportunity to raise her family, a second family at Reets Drying Academy and, of course, an extended family throughout the industry.
Like many people in restoration, Meredith didn't have a master plan. She simply said yes to an opportunity and never stopped learning. She entered the industry knowing very little about restoration, but she jumped in with both feet. She watched videos, asked questions, built relationships, and immersed herself in training, including earning her IICRC Certifications.
Before long, she went from simply trying to understand the industry to becoming fascinated by everything it had to offer. Just like that, Meredith found herself surrounded by passionate professionals who never stopped learning. That was the moment everything changed. The opportunity stopped being just another job and became a career.
Building a Foundation Through Education
With Jeremy's mentorship and the foundation, he unknowingly helped establish, Meredith experienced another defining moment in her career. She moved beyond simply supporting Reets Drying Academy and ReetsTV and began investing heavily in her own education and professional development.
In 2011, Meredith attended her first IICRC Certification combo class, Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD), taught by industry icon Joe Dobbins at Reets Drying Academy.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
That experience completely changed the way she viewed both education and the industry. Not only did she learn from one of the industry's most respected instructors, but Joe also helped her understand the science behind restoration and the importance of lifelong professional development.
"Joe is an absolute legend who helped shape so much of this industry," Meredith said. "Learning from him made me realize just how much there was to know and how much more I wanted to learn."
That class didn't just introduce Meredith to restoration science. It sparked something much bigger. A commitment to never stop learning. Several years later, another defining moment arrived.
In 2017, Meredith and her close coworker, Rebekah Beilen, committed to earning their IICRC Triple Master Designation together. The Triple Master Designation includes Master Textile Cleaner, Master Fire and Smoke Restorer and Master Water Restorer. Earning all three requires completing a minimum of ten IICRC Certifications and holding certification for a minimum three years.
"Meredith is the kind of person who always makes everyone around her better. For more than 12 years we have stood by each other through life's highs and definitely some lows. One of our biggest accomplishments was achieving our Triple Masters together. Even if I wanted to quit, there was no way she was going to let me. That's who Meredith is. We joke about her arriving late or where she even is, but when it matters, she is always there for the people she loves. I'm incredibly proud to call her my coworker, my cheerleader and one of my dearest friends. Go Meredith!" – Rebekah Beilen
This wasn't a journey either woman completed alone. Meredith held Rebekah accountable and Rebekah held Meredith accountable. Together, they achieved their shared goal of earning their Triple Master Designation. After countless hours of training, dedication and commitment, they accomplished exactly what they set out to do.
The experience reinforced a philosophy Meredith still carries today: "Success is easier when you have people around you willing to push you forward."
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Finding Her Place Through Relationships
If there's one thing people consistently say about Meredith, it's this: She connects people. Not because it's part of her job. Because it's simply who she is.
For those who know Meredith, relationships sit at the center of everything she does. She has built much of her career through the relationships she's cultivated over the years and, perhaps even more importantly, through the relationships she's helped create for others.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
While many industry professionals become known for their technical expertise, Meredith discovered early on that her greatest strength wasn't drying science or equipment. It was people. She has an incredible ability to bring people together, create opportunities and make introductions that often turn into lifelong friendships, mentorships and business relationships.
Meredith jokes that she was the "personality hire." She laughs that she's surrounded by drying experts, instructors and technical specialists while she's simply the energetic one who loves people. But don't let her fool you. That role has become one of the academy's greatest strengths.
She is the connector. The person who remembers names. The one who introduces people who should know one another. The one who notices when someone is standing alone at an event and invites them into the conversation. The one who quietly helps build community.
"I love connecting people, building relationships, encouraging others and finding ways to bring people together." – Meredith Truitt
Some people build businesses. Some people build relationships. Meredith has spent her career doing both.
“As much as I fight and argue with Meredith (I like to say she’s my older sister, but she’s actually younger), she is one of a kind in this industry. I don’t reckon I have ever seen her be anything but professional in her dealings with all our students and potential students. She always goes above and beyond to help students at Reets, but also even when she travels to conferences for The Experience, IICRC, Violand, RIA, and others. Whether time is available or not, she’ll find it or make it. And in case you’re wondering, no this was not written under threat of force, neither was I bribed. She truly is a huge asset to the entire industry and we at Reets Drying Academy are privileged to call her not only a colleague, but a true and close friend.” – David Hodge
Over time, Meredith realized leadership wasn't always about being the smartest person in the room. Sometimes leadership looks like asking the right question. Sometimes it means helping someone else find a seat at the table. And sometimes it's simply making another person feel heard.
Every stage of her career reinforced one important lesson. She doesn't have to stand in front of the room to make an impact. She simply has to show up, be present, care, listen, and, perhaps most importantly, encourage others.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Leading Through Service
For Meredith, leadership has never been about recognition. It's always been about service. Whether she's helping someone earn a certification, introducing two people who should know each other or encouraging someone to take on a new opportunity, Meredith naturally leads by putting other people first. That's one of the reasons her influence continues to grow throughout the restoration industry.
Recently, Meredith was elected to the IICRC Board of Directors. Ask her about it, though, and she'll probably laugh before telling you she was elected as the "personality-elected member." That's a classic Meredith answer.
She'll almost always give the credit to someone else. The truth is that her colleagues saw something much bigger. They saw someone who genuinely values people. Someone who listens before speaking. Someone who solves problems. Someone who follows through. And someone people know they can trust. Those qualities helped earn her a seat on the Board of Directors.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
While the IICRC focuses heavily on policy, standards, certifications, and education, Meredith sees another opportunity. She wants to continue building relationships, facilitate meaningful conversations, she wants to make sure a wide range of voices are represented, and most importantly, she wants people to feel like they belong.
She believes the best decisions happen when people with different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives come together around one common purpose: Making the restoration, cleaning, and inspection industries stronger.
Today, Meredith continues helping shape conversations around education, professional development, standards, and industry engagement while serving alongside fellow Board members.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Meredith's Advice to Fellow Women in Restoration
Ask Meredith about her own accomplishments, and she'll quickly redirect the conversation toward someone else. Usually, she'll start talking about the women who came before her. She credits many of the industry's pioneers with opening doors long before she ever entered restoration. "I came into this industry behind some incredibly strong women who had already busted down a whole lot of doors," she said.
That perspective has shaped the way Meredith approaches leadership. She doesn't believe success comes from competing with other women. She believes it comes from creating opportunities for one another. "I've never understood the idea that we have to compete with every other woman in the room." Instead, Meredith intentionally looks for opportunities to encourage others, make introductions and invite people into conversations they might never have entered on their own. If she can help someone else succeed, she's going to do it. That's simply how she's wired.
"There's plenty of room at the table. And if there isn't, scoot over. We'll make room." – Meredith Truitt
Her advice for women pursuing leadership is refreshingly simple. Find your tribe, surround yourself with people who celebrate your successes, challenge you to grow, and encourage you to pursue opportunities that feel uncomfortable. Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.
Meredith also believes leadership isn't about collecting titles or trying to get ahead of everyone else. It's about the people you surround yourself with, the people you help, and the legacy you leave behind.
One thought she shared that stood out to me is that a true leader doesn't always lead, sometimes they follow, because you can't lead others if you've stopped learning yourself.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Meredith's Leadership Style
Despite her reluctance to embrace the title of leader, Meredith's influence is undeniable. Her leadership style revolves around relationships, trust, honesty, and encouragement.
"I'd probably describe it as equal parts chaos, friendships, encouragement and making sure nobody feels like they're doing this alone," she said. That's probably the most Meredith description imaginable. She leads with honesty, believes people deserve transparency, believes they deserve constructive feedback, and she believes they deserve grace when mistakes happen. "We're all going to get it wrong sometimes," she said. "Own it, apologize when you need to, learn from it and keep moving forward."
That same philosophy carries into organizational culture. At Reets Drying Academy, Meredith has watched firsthand what happens when organizations genuinely invest in their people. She believes culture and results go hand in hand. You simply can't separate the two.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
Advancing Education and Professional Development
If there's one topic that immediately lights Meredith up, it's education. She firmly believes standards, certifications, and training form the foundation of the industry.
The work restoration professionals perform impacts homes, businesses, health, livelihoods, and entire communities. Because of that responsibility, Meredith believes professional development should never stop. "People and relationships can help you build an incredible career," Meredith said. "But education, certifications, and standards help us build a better industry."
While training opportunities have expanded over the years, Meredith believes one important challenge still remains. Too many organizations continue treating training as an event instead of building it into their culture. Sending someone to a class and checking a box isn't enough. Certification should never be the finish line. It should be the beginning of the learning journey.
Meredith continues to advocate for mentorship, continuing education, leadership development, and creating meaningful career paths for future restoration professionals. "We spend a lot of time talking about finding good people," she said. "I think we need to spend just as much time asking what we're doing with them once we find them."
Credit: Meredith Truitt
A Cheerleader for the Industry
Meredith Truitt may never fully embrace being called a leader. She'd probably still prefer cheerleader. And honestly, that's probably the title she'd choose every single time.
Throughout her career, Meredith has shown that leadership doesn't always look the way people expect. Sometimes leadership stands at the front of the room. Sometimes it quietly works behind the scenes. Sometimes it simply introduces two people who needed to meet.
Whether mentoring others, advocating for education, serving on the IICRC Board of Directors, strengthening relationships or encouraging the next generation to become involved, Meredith has spent her career investing in people.
And perhaps that's exactly what makes her such a deserving recipient of R&R's 2026 Women in Restoration Award. Because sometimes the people who make the biggest difference aren't the ones standing in the spotlight. They're the ones standing beside everyone else, cheering them on.
For more than 15 years, Meredith has quietly built relationships, championed education, celebrated the success of others and reminded people that there is always room for one more person at the table. That legacy extends far beyond certifications, board appointments and professional accomplishments. It lives in the people she's mentored, the careers she's encouraged, the friendships she's built, and the restoration industry she continues to strengthen every single day.
Credit: Meredith Truitt
In Her Spare Time
Away from restoration, Meredith's favorite role isn't Board member, industry advocate or educator. It's Mom. Outside of restoration, Meredith's greatest joy is her family. She is the proud mother of two amazing children, Jacob and Emma, both of whom are beginning exciting new chapters in adulthood. Jacob works at SERVPRO of Henry County, which probably makes for some interesting dinner table conversations about restoration. Emma attends Georgia Southern University and is pursuing a career as a Nurse Practitioner, although Meredith still jokes there's always hope she'll eventually find her way into restoration.
“My Mom as always been my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the person I’ve admired for as long as I can remember. She is the hardest-working person I know, and I’ve watched her pour her whole heart into everything she does. She has taught me that success isn’t about titles, awards, or how much money you make; it’s about the way you treat people, the values you live by, and the difference you make in others’ lives. Everything I hope to become and accomplish is because of the example she has set for me. I am grateful that this industry has had the chance to know the amazing woman I get to call my Momma. Seeing her recognized in this way means so much to me because I know how much time, love, and hard work she has poured into everything she has accomplished. To me, you’ll always be my Woman of the Year!” - Emma
Credit: Meredith Truitt
She also helps care for her mother, whom she affectionately describes as a "firecracker." Family time often includes golf, kayaking, cooking, football Saturdays cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and caring for an impressive collection of more than 200 houseplants. Yes...more than 200.
She also enjoys baking sourdough and preparing large Southern Sunday dinners for her family. Yet perhaps no role has shaped Meredith's leadership more than motherhood. Being a mother taught her patience, resilience, grace, accountability, and the importance of encouraging people while still holding them to high expectations. Those lessons have followed her into every stage of her career.
Our Runners-Up
Taylor Carmichael
Director of Systems, Southeast Restoration
Taylor Carmichael is the Director of Systems at Southeast Restoration, where she leads technology strategy across multiple locations, helping teams work more efficiently through better systems, processes, and communication. With a Master of Information Systems and more than a decade in the restoration industry, she is passionate about using technology to solve real business problems, simplify workflows, and create practical solutions that support people in their day-to-day work. A frequent speaker on AI and technology in the restoration industry, Taylor enjoys sharing practical ideas that help companies embrace innovation without losing sight of the people behind the process. Whether she's building reporting tools, leading technology initiatives, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, her goal is simple: to leave every system, process, and person better than she found them.
Monica Chapman
Co-Owner & General Manager, PuroClean Managed Services of Vermont; Founder, Phase Two Construction
Monica Chapman is Co-Owner and General Manager of PuroClean Managed Services of Vermont and Founder of Phase Two Construction. With more than 20 years of experience in restoration and reconstruction, she has led responses to major CAT events, large commercial losses, and complex recovery projects across the Northeast. A self-made entrepreneur who has worked in nearly every role within the industry, Monica is recognized for her hands-on leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to building high-performing teams. She is also a passionate advocate for women in nontraditional careers, serves as a Fire Commissioner in Burlington, Vermont, and was named one of Vermont's 2021 40 Under 40 Rising Stars.
Judges
Leslie Anderson
Senior Vice President of Training & Launch, Paul Davis Restoration, Inc.
Leslie Anderson is a senior executive and recognized industry leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing performance, operational excellence, and organizational growth within the restoration industry. As Senior Vice President of Training & Launch for Paul Davis Restoration, Inc., Leslie provides strategic leadership for enterprise learning, franchise launch readiness, leadership development, and business intelligence initiatives that support scalable growth and consistent execution across the organization. Since joining Paul Davis in 2011, she has helped franchise owners and teams improve profitability, identify growth opportunities, and strengthen operational discipline. In 2016, Leslie transitioned into training and development, where she has led the creation and implementation of learning programs and eLearning platforms designed to build capability, align best practices, and elevate performance across the network. Her leadership has earned industry recognition, including the prestigious Golden Rule Award, and she has been featured in Martha Stewart Magazine for her expertise in home flood prevention. Leslie is the Immediate Past Chairman of the IICRC, currently serves as Education Committee Chair, and is a Master Restorer and IICRC instructor for Water Damage Restoration, Applied Structural Drying, Fire Restoration, and Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup.
Leslie resides in Florida with her husband, Dan Anderson. They have been married for 33 years and are proud parents of two sons, Camden and Knowlton.
Monica Aquino
President of ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba
Monica Aquino has been in the insurance claims management industry since 1999. She has represented owners on some of the largest insurance property claims in the country. She has written and managed several Catastrophe Response and Recovery programs for large hotel chains and several large property investment groups. Her expertise lies in hospitality, complex multi-tenant, retail, manufacturing, and food processing. She works closely with owners, restoration and construction companies, attorneys, public adjusters, brokers and insurance professionals to maximize recovery and settle claims in the least amount of time. Monica is an expert negotiator and collaborator between the materially interested parties on a claim. Her knowledge of the claims management process and her ability to communicate between ownership, building/facilities, accounting, risk management and insurance professionals makes her an invaluable resource on any claim.
Monica has participated in over 25 catastrophic events, worked in 27 states and settled individual claims up to $500M. Aside from claims, Monica trains and facilitates special workshops to educate and create awareness. She also has been a featured speaker at several industry events. Her latest venture, HW3tv, is a multifaceted and interactive educational platform that seeks to become a beacon and positive influence on the industry.
Monica is also involved with the Institute for Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in the development of the ANSI/BSRIICRC S550 Standard.
Lori Jones
Microbial Warrior®
Acknowledged in International Scientific Journals as a Leading Expert in Forensic Restoration and Decontamination, she is the R&R Magazine’s “2024 Women in Restoration” Winner. Lori Jones is a Certified Forensic Operator® as well as a Certified Bio-Forensic Restoration Specialist®, she is one of the founding members of Bio-Sheen Services LLC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and co-author of the RIA Forensic Guidelines. Currently serving as a Master Trainer of the Microbial Warrior® International, Lori has over 15 years of experience in the Forensic Restoration® industry that features an impressive resume of actual hands-on field work involving a vast array of Forensic Restoration® incident sites, from Fentanyl Remediation, Infectious Disease, Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Natural and Unattended death site remediation. Having a background as a Certified Crime Scene Track Investigator gives Lori a keen eye for detail. Lori is also Certified Master Rug Cleaner® In a critical environment, Lori brings a servant’s heart to every incident she works utilizing compassion and concern along with expertise.
Marcie Williams Richardson
COO, Guarantee Restoration Services
Marcie Williams Richardson is the Chief Operating Officer of Guarantee Restoration Services, a leading independent restoration company serving Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. With more than 25 years of experience across insurance, human resources, leadership, and operations, she has built a reputation for combining strategic operational leadership with a strong people-centered approach.
As COO, Marcie oversees multi-branch operations with a focus on organizational growth, operational performance, leadership development, and customer experience. Her leadership philosophy centers on aligning people, processes, and purpose to create sustainable organizational excellence.
Marcie is an active leader within the restoration industry and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the RIA as Vice President. She is, also, co-chair for the Voice of the Independent task force. She is a passionate advocate for collaboration, professional growth, and ensuring independent restorers continue to have a strong voice in shaping the future of the industry.
Known for her authentic leadership style, operational insight, and ability to connect people through change and challenge, Marcie is committed to advancing both the restoration profession and the leaders within it.
