FEBRUARY 17, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOP STORIES ● FLOORING ● INSURANCE ● INTERNATIONAL ● ASSOCIATIONS ● RIA CONVENTION ●

COMPANY RELEASES

C&R MAGAZINE ● EDUCATION ● NEW MEMBERS ● MEMBER RENEWALS

Earthquake hits Georgia and South Carolina

The Augusta Chronicle

A late-night magnitude 4.3 earthquake shook homes and rattled residents in parts of northern Georgia and South Carolina Friday evening.

Salesman can receive commissions after being fired: Court

Business Insurance

A sales representative who was guaranteed commissions on any new business for two years after he procured it should receive commissions on the business even after his termination, a divided appeals court has ruled.

Lighter CAT losses allow AIG profits to soar

Business Insurance

With pretax losses at $208 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $3.69 billion for the same period in 2012, AIG reported net income of $1.98 billion in 2013.

FLOORING

Natural adhesive brings new life to old carpets

Chemistry World

A biotechnological process to transform lignin into an adhesive opens the door on an eco-friendly strategy for recycling carpets.

INSURANCE

Insured losses from natural disasters hit $12.8B last year, III says

Business Insurance

Natural catastrophes in the U.S. resulted in insurance claim payouts totaling $12.79 billion last year, lower than the total in 2012, according to an Insurance Information Institute analysis. Tornadoes accounted for $10.27 billion of insured losses in 2013, with Oklahoma leading the states in natural-disaster-related payouts, III said.

Is FEMA shortchanging Hurricane Sandy victims?

7Online.com

An investigation has found that on Long Island, FEMA appears to be undercutting insurance claims, paying families only a portion of what they thought were covered claims

Drought is heightening wildfire risk in Calif., experts say

Business Insurance

California is bracing for an active wildfire season as the state experiences a drought, according to officials. California has had 487 wildfires so far this year, compared to only two by the same time in 2013, according to the Forestry and Fire Protection Department.

Eastern District awash in Sandy insurance cases

New York Law Journal

As of early February, more than 800 Sandy-related cases-most disputing insurance claim denials or alleged underpayments-have been filed in the Eastern District, which includes the outer boroughs of New York City and Long Island.

+ Warning Signs: Managing High-Risk Employees to Reduce the Potential for Workplace Violence

+ 9 Tips for Mentoring Next-Generation Leaders

+ Fundamentals of Effective Communication, Pt. 2

+ ISSA Clean Standard: K-12

+ 5 Questions With Larry Thomas

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Extreme weather batters Britain

Press Herald

The latest round of bad weather slammed into Britain's west coast on Wednesday with torrential rain and winds gusting up to 106 mph. Trucks were toppled, trees were felled and a major chunk of the railway was closed. England, which has been lashed by wind and rain since December, had its wettest January since records began in 1766.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

CIRI - Training and certification

The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) International has been licensed by ISSA as a trainer to help the facilities community and cleaning professionals implement the ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 in schools. The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 was released in October 2013, with a goal to help transform how the world views cleaning.

RIA Restoration Council seeks new members

The Restoration Council is accepting applications from qualified RIA members interested in influencing the direction of the restoration industry at large through presentations of industry-specific technical and business educational programs via the RIA convention, industry seminars, training courses, and publications.

Requirements:

RIA member owners and senior managers
7 + years industry experience in one or more service lines of emergency services, mitigation, and reconstruction
Satisfactory completion of multiple industry technical training courses
Advanced industry designations are a plus
References

Restoration Council participation requires 8-10 hours monthly, and the Council meets periodically throughout the year via conference call and at the RIA Convention. Members are responsible for personal travel expenses. Email Valorie Peduto for more details.

IICRC, IEHA team up to raise awareness

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IEHA, formerly the International Executive Housekeepers Association. The partnership will allow both organizations to openly collaborate and raise awareness about the value of continuing education and certification programs within their shared industries.

RIA CONVENTION UPDATE

RIA's Vendor Council seeking donations for Silent Auction

As RIA continues its efforts to secure a judgment of invalidity against the '812 Patent, RIA's Vendor Council is holding a Silent Auction at the Convention to raise funds for this effort. Vendors are contributing fabulous items for the auction and attendees will be able to bid online and in person. To donate an item, email rilf@restorationindustry.org

Registration rates for the International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo go up $100 on April 1, so don't get fooled into paying more. Full registration includes education sessions, access to the exhibition hall, the opening Pool Party Networking Reception courtesy of Sunbelt Rentals, and some meals.

COMPANY RELEASES

The Dwyer Group announces personnel changes

The Dwyer Group announced that Dina Dwyer-Owens will be stepping down as CEO, assuming the role of executive chair; Mike Bidwell was promoted to president and CEO, according to a Waco Herald-Tribune report. Dwyer-Owens will devote her time to promoting the company's Code of Values, pursuing opportunities to acquire other companies "and speaking on local national and international stages on behalf of The Dwyer Group," she said in a release.

Five-year recognition awards from DKI

DKI has announced that Xpert Restoration Services, Inc., Chenal Restoration, MacKenzie Restoration and Epic Response were presented with 5 Year Recognition Awards at the 2014 DKI Awards Ceremony for being a part of the DKI organization for 5 years.

Industry loses pioneer

Harry Meekma, who founded Custom Commercial Dry Cleaners in 1988, passed away on Jan. 4, 2014. Custom Commercial expanded to provide coverage in six western states, before it franchised its model and launched the FRSTeam national brand, which now offers textile restoration services in over 46 states. He graduated from Northern Illinois University and served in the U.S. Army. He married Rita Hash in 1963, and together they had two children, Courtney and Ryan.

EDUCATION

RIA Certified Restorer Curriculum Available for Open Industry Review

RIA Certified Restorer Curriculum is now available for an Open Industry Review. The CR Curriculum document features four major domains of knowledge: leadership, management, scientific and technical, which will be needed by the 21^st Century Certified Restorer (CR) in order to show competency in the field. The Curriculum encompasses fire and smoke, water, environmental issues, contents restoration and leadership. The RIA CR Curriculum is the first document of its kind created within the restoration industry and will be the basis for industry educators to create specialized courses of study specific to the Certified Restorer.

The Open Industry Review will run from February 17, 2014 through March 17, 2014. Those interested in participating can email chereth@restorationindustry.org to obtain the appropriate documents to begin the review process.

NEW MEMBERS

Please join us in welcoming our newest members:

Certified Restoration Services, LLC - Woodbury, NJ

MEMBER RENEWALS

We thank the following members for their continued support of the Restoration Industry Association:

CRCS Disaster Kleenup - Oshawa, ON (Member Since 02/1991)

Ideal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Gatton, QLD (Member Since 03/2007)

PuroClean - Tamarac, FL (Member Since 02/2008)

Rainbow International of Simcoe County - Midland, ON (Member Since 03/2012)

Ward Tek, Inc. - Belmont, CA (Member Since 01/2001)

Winmar - Canmore/Banff - Canmore, AB (Member Since 03/2013)

Winmar Edmundston - St. Basile, NB (Member Since 03/2013)

C&R Magazine and C&R Weekly Are Publications of the Restoration Industry Association, Inc. 　2014. 　