7 Restoration Leaders Share the Timeless Leadership Truths That Drive Their Success

Leadership advice is everywhere. From books to seminars to experts, there are many strategies for “how to lead effectively.”

With so many perspectives, it’s easy to wonder: Who should I listen to? Which approach is right for me?

A good starting point is to look at those who’ve earned your respect in your field. In the restoration industry, where challenges are unique, and leadership styles vary, some of the brightest leaders share a unifying truth: lasting leadership begins with serving others.

By blending timeless principles with hard-earned industry wisdom, these Leader-Builders have discovered that the key to success isn’t just getting others to follow but becoming the kind of leader others naturally want to follow.

Their perspective serves as a guide not only for leading teams and yourself but also for unlocking the leadership potential in others.

(1) Ben Looper: Founder and President of Southeast Restoration Group

Ben Looper has led his company to national recognition for rapid growth and creating an award-winning workplace. Now serving as the 2024-2025 president of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), he’s focused on pushing the industry forward and fostering professional excellence.

Something Interesting About Ben:

In addition to his professional success, Ben is a devoted family man who is married and has three children. His commitment to balancing career and family life exemplifies his core Christian values and his pursuit of both personal and professional excellence.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• Always put people first. You'll succeed when you primarily focus on people rather than financial motivations. Paradoxically, when you prioritize people, the economic aspects tend to take care of themselves.
• Constantly help others achieve success. When you help other people, you open a path to personal and organizational success. There’s a quote from Zig Ziglar that I like: “You can have anything you want in life if you just help enough people get what they want.”

(2) Mark Springer: Seasoned President/CEO

Mark Springer is a standout President/CEO who catapulted his company from one location to seven and led a game-changing acquisition that helped skyrocket revenue from $20 million to over $150 million in 18 months. Celebrated for his visionary leadership and strategic insights, Mark has become a key influencer in the property restoration industry.

Something Interesting About Mark:

He’s the author of the influential article Our Greatest Need, a call to action for industry-wide transformation within the global Property Restoration Industry. By day, Mark is a key figure driving greater cohesion and collaboration across the restoration industry.

At all times, he’s a proud husband, father, and an active community member.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• I believe that effective leadership often involves helping others succeed without seeking personal recognition. The underrated truth is that there’s no limit to what you can achieve if you don’t mind who gets the credit.
• Always follow through—do what you say you will. Otherwise, your credibility as a leader will be significantly undermined.

(3) Holly Murry: President of FRSTeam

Holly Murry, President of FRSTeam, has spent over 29 years steering its vision and growth, from its international franchise launch to expanding to 50+ offices across North America. Her leadership has revitalized underperforming locations and built high-performing teams that exceed all expectations.

Something Interesting About Holly:

Professionally, Holly has done everything from fieldwork to national sales and business operations.

Personally, Holly continues to invest in helping other people succeed. For example, she helped launch the BACa Foundation in 2011 to support people living with cancer in the Colorado community where she lives with her husband and two children. Holly also sits on the  BACa board, too.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• A cohesive team with diverse skills can achieve incredible results. As the saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
• You must start with yourself to make the world, a place, or a business where you want to live. Before anything else, start with [changing] yourself to create the culture and environment you desire.

(4) Jim Kowalski: co-owner of Kowalski Construction, Inc

Jim Kowalski brings 45 years of expertise to his role, shaping his company into a leader in quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction. His dedication to innovation drives the company’s success and ensures each project meets the highest quality standards.

Something Interesting About Jim:

Jim’s pride in craftsmanship and attention to detail have helped Kowalski Construction build a reputation for excellence in both residential and commercial projects. This excellence also extends to his personal life, where he’s an active volunteer for non-profit organizations, sits on several boards, and is an active member of his community.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• It is important to recognize and excel in your area of expertise rather than moving into roles that don’t align with your strengths. In other words, stay in your lane.
• Humility is key to effective leadership. Acknowledging other people’s strengths and listening to their ideas fosters trust and builds a collaborative environment. Remembering that the ego is the enemy and can destroy a business is super helpful.

(5) Steve Willis: Brand President - AdvantaClean & Lightspeed Restoration

Steve Willis brings over 30 years of property restoration and construction expertise, with leadership roles spanning both franchising and corporate settings. His passion lies in building strong customer relationships and developing future leaders through effective team building.

Something Interesting About Steve:

Steve is a certified IICRC instructor with multiple industry certifications and licenses. He has delivered training and presentations at global events, sharing his expertise with professionals worldwide.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• Keeping the end result in mind is crucial because getting distracted in any business is easy. Focus can be a game changer.
• Always trust your gut. When you feel something is off or needs to change, act on it.
• Write everything down. Whether using pen and paper or digital tools, taking notes is a good way to stay organized and on track.

(6) Tony Scott: CEO of Pro-Claim Group (a member of the GUS network)

Tony Scott, CEO of the Pro-Claim Group (a member of the GUS network), brings over 40 years of experience in the restoration industry and is known for leading Canada’s greenest group of restoration companies. Committed to fast disaster recovery and team development, Tony has implemented a leadership approach that empowers his employees to grow while revolutionizing the restoration process.

Something Interesting About Tony:

Tony’s leadership is defined by a passion for helping people, the planet, and the many communities he’s part of. He does all these while creating a supportive and thriving workplace culture.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• Leading with empathy means learning to see the human being in every moment. This approach helps you understand that everyone is going through something, which is particularly useful when handling difficult situations. Empathy is crucial because it allows you to understand the other person.

(7) Steve Glozik: President of FP Property Restoration

Steve Glozik started FP Property Restoration over 14 years ago. In that time, he has grown the company from a startup into a leading force in the Florida restoration market. Known for his innovative leadership, Steve has built a company that is recognized for its solid systems and commitment to superior service in the Florida market.

Something Interesting About Steve:

Steve’s focus on innovation, employee development, and building a resilient culture has enabled FP to thrive, even during challenges like Hurricane Ian.

What Timeless Truths Have Helped You As a Leader?

• You can’t care more about someone’s job than they do, so it’s important to let people decide their level of engagement and success.
• Pick your “hard.” It’s hard to be successful, and it’s also hard to fail—so decide which challenge you want to take on.

Leadership in Action Starts Here

The wisdom these seasoned restoration leaders share is more than just words—they’re a blueprint for building empowered teams and resilient companies. And this is just the beginning. To dive deeper into their timeless wisdom, download our new book on Building Leaders, where you’ll find more actionable insights directly from these industry pros.

Ready to put these lessons into practice? KnowHow can help you turn theoretical leadership advice into practical action. With step-by-step processes and ready-to-use templates, KnowHow streamlines leadership training, boosts employee empowerment, and drives organizational success.

Download the book, implement the wisdom, and let KnowHow guide your team to success.