Rusty Amarante is a Certified Restorer and Director of Operations for BELFOR Property Restoration the global leader in disaster recovery. He is also President of the BELFOR Franchise Group a leading national franchisor of service brands including 1-800-WATER DAMAGE, DUCTZ International and HOODZ International. Rusty’s career started in the 1970’s in suburban Philadelphia, PA and has ranged from the owner of a small cleaning and restoration company that grew to a large regional full service restoration contractor before joining the BELFOR Team in the 1990’s. Over the past forty plus years he has been an IICRC instructor, state approved CEC trainer for the insurance industry and avid contributor and volunteer to the industry’s not-for-profit sector. Rusty Amarante is a Certified Restorer and Director of Operations for BELFOR Property Restoration the global leader in disaster recovery. He is also President of the BELFOR Franchise Group a leading national franchisor of service brands including 1-800-WATER DAMAGE, DUCTZ International and HOODZ International. Rusty’s career started in the 1970’s in suburban Philadelphia, PA and has ranged from the owner of a small cleaning and restoration company that grew to a large regional full service restoration contractor before joining the BELFOR Team in the 1990’s. Over the past forty plus years he has been an IICRC instructor, state approved CEC trainer for the insurance industry and avid contributor and volunteer to the industry’s not-for-profit sector. Rusty’s accomplishments and service include chairing RIA’s Restoration Council and ascending to the Restoration Industry Association’s Presidency in 2008. Rusty also has served on the IICRC FRST Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and served as Vice Chair for the Institute’s S500 Water Damage Restoration Standard. In 2006 Rusty received RIA’s most prestigious honor when he received the Martin L. King Award. From his early day’s in the 20th century to his global responsibilities of the last two decades with BELFOR, Rusty has been a tireless advocate for the professionalization of the industry. This week his good friend and colleague Cliff Zlotnik, the Z-man will have a “Fireside Chat” to talk about Rusty’s career, his relationship with the late Marty King and his insights into the future of the restoration industry.