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R&R's 2025 Ladder Award

Celebrating leaders climbing the ladder of success in our industry.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Welcome to R&R’s 2025 Ladder Award. This annual award, established in 2020, recognizes outstanding young restoration professionals 35 years and younger who are climbing the ladder of success and shaping the future of this industry. These individuals exhibit leadership, drive, innovation, care for clients and colleagues, community service and a clear passion for the industry.

At a time when finding skilled workers, retaining labor and adopting new technology are among the top challenges restoration companies face, the unique traits of millennials and Gen Z pose great promise.

Not only are millennials the largest adult generation in the U.S.; they are also the largest generation in the labor force at 36% majority, according to the Department of Labor. For organizations looking to attract new talent, this cohort is anything but short in supply.

Members of Generation Z, born after 1996, the oldest just launching their careers, are “digital natives.” For them, an existence without smartphones, internet and other relatively recent technological innovations is unfathomable. This second-nature connection with the digital dimension bodes well for addressing the challenge of adopting new technology in the digital era.

It’s time to recognize the rising young professionals blazing new trails with innovative leadership, ideas, and technological advancements in the restoration industry.

Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through Wednesday, May 14, 2024.

The winner and runners-up will be determined by a panel of industry peers based on the criteria listed below. They will be notified in early June and must be available for interviews in late June.

The award will be presented at The Experience Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, taking place September 3-5. The winner and runners-up will also be featured in the September 2025 issue of R&R.

Eligibility

Nominees and entrants must be under 35 years of age as of May 14, 2025.
Nominees can hold any position within a restoration company (ownership/upper management is not a requirement).
They should exhibit qualities including, but not limited to, industry experience, leadership and community service.
There is no limit to the number of entries each firm or person can submit, and there is no entry fee.
Past runners-up may enter again.
Past winners of the Ladder Award are ineligible.