Rusty Amarante, CR, has over 40 years of experience in the restoration industry. He is the Director of Operations for BELFOR Property Restoration, the global leader in disaster recovery, and the President of BELFOR Franchise Group, a leading national franchisor of service-based brands including 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, DUCTZ International, and HOODZ International.

Whether handling a loss that affected a family of three or a major catastrophe requiring teams of 3,000+, Rusty knows every situation has its unique challenges. On a daily basis, he is responsible for coordinating the BELFOR National Catastrophe Team's logistics, manpower, equipment, and resources in the aftermath of national disasters.

Rusty was past-President of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and served as Vice Chair to the IICRC S500 and water damage standards guide. He is a sought-out speaker in the restoration industry and has conducted hundreds of training classes throughout his career to encourage passionate restorers for the future.