How we gave birth to our company colors

green and gold Ted had

a gold pickup truck and Lisa had a green

minivan and our now

fleet of 50 gold and green specialty and

service vehicles contin-

ues to serve our territory based on the original

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E

Letter From The

Lavenders

1

The Faces of BFW 2

Calendar of Events 2

Newsmakers 2

Out amp About In

the Community

3

What Our

Customers Are

Saying

3

Insurance Insights 4

Sparks

amp Leaks M A Y - J U N E 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E V I I I S S U E I I I

S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T

Onward amp Upward 4

Letter from the Lavenders

Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations

1145 Commons Boulevard

Reading PA 19605

We are not perfect nor do we know everything Yes there are about three people here

who think they know everything (one of them rhymes with Bed and Red and starts with

a ldquoTrdquo) but the rest of us keep it real for them We make mistakes We do not promise

perfection but what we do promise is to stand behind everything we do We believe that

part of success personally professionally individually and collectively as a company is

doing the ldquoRight Thingrdquo and feeling good about what you do We understand the trust

that is placed with us when somebody experiences a disaster of any size and calls upon

us It is a trust that is based on ldquostanding behind what we dordquo

What is behind our promise We do not know everything but we will continually strive

to acquire the knowledge and expertise that we are depended on to offer If we donrsquot

know an answer we will search for one

We have a Seven Year Warranty Yes that is correct an unprecedented seven year

warranty Sometimes we remedy a situation merely as a good will gesture Yes this

commitment and promise costs money and yes we are fully committed to honoring it

We would not have it any other way

One of our favorite movie quotes

ldquoBeing perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you

didnrsquot let them down because you told them the truth And that truth is you did everything

you could There wasnrsquot one more thing you couldve done Can you live in that moment

as best you can with clear eyes and love in your heart with joy in your heart If you

can do that gentleman - youre perfectrdquo (Friday Night Lights 2004 Billy Bob Thornton)

If this is true then the hardworking men and women of Berks Fire Water Restorations Inc

are PERFECT

Thank you for your continued support

With Deepest Gratitude

Ted and Lisa Lavender

We are NOT Perfecthellipor are We

P A G E 2

S P A R K S amp L E A K S

Calendar of

EVENTS

Thursday May 7

Homeowners Issues amp

Challenges (112447)

(3 Credit CE)

Thursday May 7

Fraud The Reality - A

Restoration Companyrsquos

Perspective (116956)

(1 Credit CE)

Thursday June 4

Business Continuity

Essentials (123435)

(3 Credit CE)

Proud members of

Before Patrick joined the

Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations team he worked

for SDR Mechanical in Ephrata

for nine years He started at

SDR as a Plumbing Apprentice

then furthered himself in his

trade by obtaining his

Journeyman Plumbing License at the Berks

County Career and Technology Center Upon

becoming a Journeyman he expanded his career

path at SDR as a Supervisor and ended his

tenure as Job Foreman While Patrick was

advancing in management he also started taking

business courses at HACC (Harrisburg Area

Community College) to broaden his career

Through his studies Patrick realized he wanted

to find a position where he could use his

managerial skills and have room for growth and

tenure His passion for growth knowledge and

personal drive led him to Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations Inc Patrick began his career with

us in March 2015 as Construction Manager In

this position he is responsible for scheduling

and managing the repair part of the job process

as well as overseeing our carpentry staff

ldquoI think Patrickrsquos managerial skills personal

drive and desire to learn makes him the perfect

fit for Construction Managerrdquo said Lisa

Lavender Chief Operating Officer

Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Inc

When asked what he is most excited about as

Construction Manager at Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations Patrick said ldquoI am excited for all

the training offered at the Restoration Technical

Institute I am ready to learn new trades

especially restorationrdquo

On a personal note Patrick will be getting

married in August 2015 to his fianceacutee Teresa

After the wedding the couple will be heading to

Punta Cana Dominican Republic for their

honeymoon Patrick and Teresa will reside in

Denver PA

In his spare time Patrick enjoys coaching

wrestling for the Ephrata youth program ages

4-12 When not busy coaching you can catch

Patrick watching any Philadelphia team play

During the Eagles season you will find him at

the home games as he is a proud season ticket

holder He is also a huge UNC fanhellipTarheels

all the way

14 of your total

bones are located

in which

body part

Turn to page 3

for the answer

Insurance Professionals Of Greater Reading

Our first Newsmaker is from

Gallen Insurance located at

2237 Lancaster Pike

Shillington Ann Moll recently announced the hiring

of Heather Wilson She will

serve as an Account Manager

and Team Leader for Personal

Lines Heather has been in the

insurance industry for 11 years

and holds her CISR

designation

Ken Franck of the Ken

Franck Agency recently

announced his retirement He

worked 38 years in the

insurance industry 32 of them

with Allstate Ken will

continue to work with the new

agency owner Michael

Schaeffer Michael will be

acquiring new accounts as well

as servicing Kenrsquos accounts

under the name Michael

Schaeffer Agency located at

the same address 4239 Penn

Ave Sinking Spring Mike

has 18 years in the insurance

industry 11 of those years with

Allstate

Tim Long owner of Long

Insurance Agency announced

the hiring of Ellie Long Ellie is

Timrsquos sister and recently passed

her PampC licensing test Ellie is

also a retired Professor from

Kutztown University Long

Insurance Agency a Nationwide

Agency is located at 410 W

Main St Mertztown

Melissa and Tim Fisher of The

Fisher Agency an Allstate

agency located 316 W Main

St Kutztown announced the

recent hiring of Roxann Abline

Roxann is a licensed PampC agent

and is a Sales Producer with the

agency

Jim Ruoff owner of Berks

County Insurance Group

located 4950 Hafer Rd

Reading announced the hiring

of Rose Bernet Rose is a

licensed insurance agent and she

is a personal lines Producer and

Customer Service Rep

Liberty Mutual has welcomed a

new employee to the office located

at 2001 State Hill Rd 104

Wyomissing Brady West has

recently passed the insurance exam

He is a licensed PampC agent and a

Sales Rep for Liberty Mutual

Brady is also a Penn State graduate

with a BA degree

Tom Davenport owner of Blue

Marsh Insurance Inc announced

the relocation of the agency The

agency formerly located in

Birdsboro has relocated to 2501

Conestoga Ave Honey Brook Tom also noted Blue Marsh

Insurance Inc recently got an

appointment with Erie Insurance

Group

Steve Yeity owner of Cross Keys

Insurance announced his employee

Luis Esquivel recently passed his

PampC license exam Luis is a

licensed service rep and producer at

the Hamburg office located at 303

State St Cross Keys Insurance has

two locations with the main office of

this Erie Agency located 5035

Pottsville Pike Reading

Congratulations and welcome to

all Newsmakers If you have

retired moved your business

received new designations etc

please contact Dan Wozniak at

dwozniakbfwrestorationscom

P A G E 3

Your Feet

2015 UPCOMING CLASSES

May 7 Homeowner Issues amp

Challenges amp Fraud The Reality - A Restoration Companyrsquos Perspective

(5 CEC PENDING) May 12-14 IICRC Applied Structural Drying

(ASD)

June 4 Business Continuity Essentials (5 CEC)

June 9-11 IICRC Water Restoration Technician (WRT)

June 15-16 IICRC Fire and Smoke Remediation Technician (FSRT)

June 17 IICRC Odor Control

Technician (OCT)

June 18-19 IICRC Health amp Safety Technician (HST)

Please visit the RTI website at wwwrestorationtechnicalinstitutecom

to register for upcoming classes

ldquoYour team was easy to work

with congenial highly

professional and did a great

job repairing our homerdquo

-AP Mohnton

In The Community

Communications Director

Jessica Prutzman and Taylor

Kuhn daughter of our

Accounting Manager were

very excited to volunteer for

the Easter Bunny arrival at the

Animal Rescue League

of Berks County

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations COO

Lisa Lavender was honored to serve on the

54th Annual Reading ldquoIrdquo Day

Committee More than 100 Insurance

Professionals attended the event This

yearrsquos topic focused on Cyber Technology

Team Charliersquos Angels

Often referred to as Lou Gehrigrsquos Disease

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive

neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its

ability to walk speak swallow and breathe

We know the devastating effects of this terrible disease

all too well Charliersquos wife and daughter are Berks ∙

Fire ∙Water Restorationsrsquo employees This is our

teamrsquos 4th Walk to Defeat ALS Although Charlie is

now our Angel we continue to strive to raise awareness

and funding for treatment in his honor

We will not quit until there is a cure

We hope you will join us in defeating ALS

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorationsrsquo

Relationship Manager Dan Wozniak

enjoyed cooking for the Knights of

Columbus Kielbasa Dinner at

St Ignatius Loyola Church In addition

to kielbasa they also made pierogies and

halushki for approximately 110 people

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations is

proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual

Dogs amp Brews Event to benefit

the Reading Public Museum and

the Animal Rescue League of

Berks County on May 23rd

Visit the ARL website at

wwwberksarlorg for information on this fun event

httphersheywalkkinteraorgcharliesangels

Check out our brand new website You can find valuable information and the latest news

on the BFW blog Sign up today

wwwbfwrestorationscom

P A G E 2

S P A R K S amp L E A K S

Calendar of

EVENTS

Thursday May 7

Homeowners Issues amp

Challenges (112447)

(3 Credit CE)

Thursday May 7

Fraud The Reality - A

Restoration Companyrsquos

Perspective (116956)

(1 Credit CE)

Thursday June 4

Business Continuity

Essentials (123435)

(3 Credit CE)

Proud members of

Before Patrick joined the

Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations team he worked

for SDR Mechanical in Ephrata

for nine years He started at

SDR as a Plumbing Apprentice

then furthered himself in his

trade by obtaining his

Journeyman Plumbing License at the Berks

County Career and Technology Center Upon

becoming a Journeyman he expanded his career

path at SDR as a Supervisor and ended his

tenure as Job Foreman While Patrick was

advancing in management he also started taking

business courses at HACC (Harrisburg Area

Community College) to broaden his career

Through his studies Patrick realized he wanted

to find a position where he could use his

managerial skills and have room for growth and

tenure His passion for growth knowledge and

personal drive led him to Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations Inc Patrick began his career with

us in March 2015 as Construction Manager In

this position he is responsible for scheduling

and managing the repair part of the job process

as well as overseeing our carpentry staff

ldquoI think Patrickrsquos managerial skills personal

drive and desire to learn makes him the perfect

fit for Construction Managerrdquo said Lisa

Lavender Chief Operating Officer

Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Inc

When asked what he is most excited about as

Construction Manager at Berks bull Fire bull Water

Restorations Patrick said ldquoI am excited for all

the training offered at the Restoration Technical

Institute I am ready to learn new trades

especially restorationrdquo

On a personal note Patrick will be getting

married in August 2015 to his fianceacutee Teresa

After the wedding the couple will be heading to

Punta Cana Dominican Republic for their

honeymoon Patrick and Teresa will reside in

Denver PA

In his spare time Patrick enjoys coaching

wrestling for the Ephrata youth program ages

4-12 When not busy coaching you can catch

Patrick watching any Philadelphia team play

During the Eagles season you will find him at

the home games as he is a proud season ticket

holder He is also a huge UNC fanhellipTarheels

all the way

14 of your total

bones are located

in which

body part

Turn to page 3

for the answer

Insurance Professionals Of Greater Reading

Our first Newsmaker is from

Gallen Insurance located at

2237 Lancaster Pike

Shillington Ann Moll recently announced the hiring

of Heather Wilson She will

serve as an Account Manager

and Team Leader for Personal

Lines Heather has been in the

insurance industry for 11 years

and holds her CISR

designation

Ken Franck of the Ken

Franck Agency recently

announced his retirement He

worked 38 years in the

insurance industry 32 of them

with Allstate Ken will

continue to work with the new

agency owner Michael

Schaeffer Michael will be

acquiring new accounts as well

as servicing Kenrsquos accounts

under the name Michael

Schaeffer Agency located at

the same address 4239 Penn

Ave Sinking Spring Mike

has 18 years in the insurance

industry 11 of those years with

Allstate

Tim Long owner of Long

Insurance Agency announced

the hiring of Ellie Long Ellie is

Timrsquos sister and recently passed

her PampC licensing test Ellie is

also a retired Professor from

Kutztown University Long

Insurance Agency a Nationwide

Agency is located at 410 W

Main St Mertztown

Melissa and Tim Fisher of The

Fisher Agency an Allstate

agency located 316 W Main

St Kutztown announced the

recent hiring of Roxann Abline

Roxann is a licensed PampC agent

and is a Sales Producer with the

agency

Jim Ruoff owner of Berks

County Insurance Group

located 4950 Hafer Rd

Reading announced the hiring

of Rose Bernet Rose is a

licensed insurance agent and she

is a personal lines Producer and

Customer Service Rep

Liberty Mutual has welcomed a

new employee to the office located

at 2001 State Hill Rd 104

Wyomissing Brady West has

recently passed the insurance exam

He is a licensed PampC agent and a

Sales Rep for Liberty Mutual

Brady is also a Penn State graduate

with a BA degree

Tom Davenport owner of Blue

Marsh Insurance Inc announced

the relocation of the agency The

agency formerly located in

Birdsboro has relocated to 2501

Conestoga Ave Honey Brook Tom also noted Blue Marsh

Insurance Inc recently got an

appointment with Erie Insurance

Group

Steve Yeity owner of Cross Keys

Insurance announced his employee

Luis Esquivel recently passed his

PampC license exam Luis is a

licensed service rep and producer at

the Hamburg office located at 303

State St Cross Keys Insurance has

two locations with the main office of

this Erie Agency located 5035

Pottsville Pike Reading

Congratulations and welcome to

all Newsmakers If you have

retired moved your business

received new designations etc

please contact Dan Wozniak at

dwozniakbfwrestorationscom

P A G E 3

Your Feet

2015 UPCOMING CLASSES

May 7 Homeowner Issues amp

Challenges amp Fraud The Reality - A Restoration Companyrsquos Perspective

(5 CEC PENDING) May 12-14 IICRC Applied Structural Drying

(ASD)

June 4 Business Continuity Essentials (5 CEC)

June 9-11 IICRC Water Restoration Technician (WRT)

June 15-16 IICRC Fire and Smoke Remediation Technician (FSRT)

June 17 IICRC Odor Control

Technician (OCT)

June 18-19 IICRC Health amp Safety Technician (HST)

Please visit the RTI website at wwwrestorationtechnicalinstitutecom

to register for upcoming classes

ldquoYour team was easy to work

with congenial highly

professional and did a great

job repairing our homerdquo

-AP Mohnton

In The Community

Communications Director

Jessica Prutzman and Taylor

Kuhn daughter of our

Accounting Manager were

very excited to volunteer for

the Easter Bunny arrival at the

Animal Rescue League

of Berks County

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations COO

Lisa Lavender was honored to serve on the

54th Annual Reading ldquoIrdquo Day

Committee More than 100 Insurance

Professionals attended the event This

yearrsquos topic focused on Cyber Technology

Team Charliersquos Angels

Often referred to as Lou Gehrigrsquos Disease

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive

neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its

ability to walk speak swallow and breathe

We know the devastating effects of this terrible disease

all too well Charliersquos wife and daughter are Berks ∙

Fire ∙Water Restorationsrsquo employees This is our

teamrsquos 4th Walk to Defeat ALS Although Charlie is

now our Angel we continue to strive to raise awareness

and funding for treatment in his honor

We will not quit until there is a cure

We hope you will join us in defeating ALS

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorationsrsquo

Relationship Manager Dan Wozniak

enjoyed cooking for the Knights of

Columbus Kielbasa Dinner at

St Ignatius Loyola Church In addition

to kielbasa they also made pierogies and

halushki for approximately 110 people

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations is

proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual

Dogs amp Brews Event to benefit

the Reading Public Museum and

the Animal Rescue League of

Berks County on May 23rd

Visit the ARL website at

wwwberksarlorg for information on this fun event

httphersheywalkkinteraorgcharliesangels

Check out our brand new website You can find valuable information and the latest news

on the BFW blog Sign up today

wwwbfwrestorationscom

P A G E 3

Your Feet

2015 UPCOMING CLASSES

May 7 Homeowner Issues amp

Challenges amp Fraud The Reality - A Restoration Companyrsquos Perspective

(5 CEC PENDING) May 12-14 IICRC Applied Structural Drying

(ASD)

June 4 Business Continuity Essentials (5 CEC)

June 9-11 IICRC Water Restoration Technician (WRT)

June 15-16 IICRC Fire and Smoke Remediation Technician (FSRT)

June 17 IICRC Odor Control

Technician (OCT)

June 18-19 IICRC Health amp Safety Technician (HST)

Please visit the RTI website at wwwrestorationtechnicalinstitutecom

to register for upcoming classes

ldquoYour team was easy to work

with congenial highly

professional and did a great

job repairing our homerdquo

-AP Mohnton

In The Community

Communications Director

Jessica Prutzman and Taylor

Kuhn daughter of our

Accounting Manager were

very excited to volunteer for

the Easter Bunny arrival at the

Animal Rescue League

of Berks County

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations COO

Lisa Lavender was honored to serve on the

54th Annual Reading ldquoIrdquo Day

Committee More than 100 Insurance

Professionals attended the event This

yearrsquos topic focused on Cyber Technology

Team Charliersquos Angels

Often referred to as Lou Gehrigrsquos Disease

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive

neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its

ability to walk speak swallow and breathe

We know the devastating effects of this terrible disease

all too well Charliersquos wife and daughter are Berks ∙

Fire ∙Water Restorationsrsquo employees This is our

teamrsquos 4th Walk to Defeat ALS Although Charlie is

now our Angel we continue to strive to raise awareness

and funding for treatment in his honor

We will not quit until there is a cure

We hope you will join us in defeating ALS

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorationsrsquo

Relationship Manager Dan Wozniak

enjoyed cooking for the Knights of

Columbus Kielbasa Dinner at

St Ignatius Loyola Church In addition

to kielbasa they also made pierogies and

halushki for approximately 110 people

Berks ∙ Fire ∙ Water Restorations is

proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual

Dogs amp Brews Event to benefit

the Reading Public Museum and

the Animal Rescue League of

Berks County on May 23rd

Visit the ARL website at

wwwberksarlorg for information on this fun event

httphersheywalkkinteraorgcharliesangels

Check out our brand new website You can find valuable information and the latest news

on the BFW blog Sign up today

wwwbfwrestorationscom

P A G E 4

As a restoration company BFW Restorations plays a vital role in responding to the needs of those experiencing a property loss a s well as the insurance companies providing coverage

Therefore it is fitting to include a brief insurance related article in each publication of our newsletter Topics will cover a range of issues and we hope you find them both timely and valuable Articles will be

contributed by independent insurance professionals and not necessarily a representation of Berks bull Fire bull Water bull Restorations Inc nor do we imply expertise in such subject areas

Insu

ran

ce I

nsig

hts

B

y C

on

tribu

tin

g W

riter P

au

l P

in

ch

ak

Training Still with us or watered down I came into the industry decades ago ldquoback in the dayrdquo as a trainee with a major PampC company It was five months before I could talk to an agent or make a decision of any consequence During that time in ldquoTraineerdquo status I went to class learning each policy its terms and conditions the company approaches and philosophies to every relevant issue fundamentals of the

business as well as terminology and the principles upon which PampC functions

There were tests research work presentations and a strict Trainer to report to Trainees who did not apply themselves and

failed to make the grade were terminated

As my career continued I soon realized and appreciated how well that strong foundation served mehellipand still does I wonder if in the fast paced world we now live in if there is still that investment being made by companies agencies and businesses in general If not could careers be undermined and jeopardized if newcomers are not given the opportunity to build that critically

important base

There is more to a strong Training Program in any industry than many think To do it right requires effort resources commitment and considerable expense However when we consider the fact that it serves as the basis upon which careers are built the value becomes clear The early stages of an individualrsquos career leaves a mark a fingerprint that is permanent Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the way we are bringing people into our industry and ask if we are making the

investments necessary to impact and sustain a positive career progression

If you ask me the answer is NO to the question of whether fully computer administered so called ldquoTrainingrdquo curriculums can do

the same job These are shortcuts that leave considerable gaps in understanding and comprehension

Industry leaders have a strong Training heritage They view the investment in Training as a positive a key component to their

culturehelliphellip not as an unnecessary expense burden

Patrick Detweiler was hired as Construction Manager for Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Inc In his new role Patrick will be

responsible for providing technical construction direction to Team Leaders and crew members maintaining the quality of all repairs and

restorations for residential and commercial structures scheduling and supervision of all construction work ensuring the completion as

scheduled and developing positive working relationships with customers and businesses

Prior to Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Patrick worked for SDR Mechanical for nine years He ended his tenure at SDR in the role of

Foreman While working at SDR Patrick obtained his Journeyman Plumbing License

Bill Harrison was appointed to Project Manager for Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Inc In his new role Bill will be responsible for

preparing estimates acting as a liaison between the insureds and the insurance company and agency providing direction to Team Leaders

ensuring quality of all repairs and restorations for residential and commercial structures managing fulfillment of work and restorations on

schedule and developing positive working relationships with customers and businesses

Since joining Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations in March 2011 Bill has held the following positions Construction Manager Team Leader

and Carpenter Prior to Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Bill worked for more than 12 years in the construction field

Congratulations to Leo Gilbert on his retirement from Berks bull Fire bull Water Restorations Inc in April Leo has been with Berks bull Fire bull

Water Restorations since August 2004 as our ldquoofficial painterrdquo We wish Leo much luck health and happiness in his retirement

ONWARD AND UPWARD AT BERKS bull FIRE bull WATER RESTORATIONS

Patrick Detweiler Bill Harrison Leo Gilbert