The nominations are in. The deadline for our 2023 Women in Restoration award has passed and the judging has begun. We have put together a blue ribbon panel of women in restoration to select this year’s honoree.

Lisa Lavender is the chief operating officer and co-owner of both Restoration Technical Institute and Berks Fire Water Restoration Inc. She has more than 20 years of experience in the restoration and reconstruction industry, and has been involved in training other restoration professionals since 2012. Lavender has written software for the industry and writes a monthly column for our magazine.

Annissa Coy is another regular contributor. She both writes a bimonthly column for us and also shares her thoughts in the “Ask Annissa” videos. Coy is the co-creator of Firehouse Education and Mobile Cleaning Systems. In 2017, she was the first winner of the Women in Restoration award.

Jennifer Wilkinson received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the Colorado State University.  Wilkinson joined the staff of Meetings and Events as an administrative assistant in 2004 and began working with the vendors and sponsors of the Connections Events shortly thereafter. In 2012, Meetings and Events opened The Experience Events where Wilkinson became the event manager for The Experience until 2022.

In 2023, The Experience Events sold to BNP Media, where Jennifer currently works as an Independent Contactor assisting with booth and sponsorship sales.

The award will be presented at the Restoration Industry Association convention in April. At The Experience in September, we will present the Ladder Award. This award started in 2020 as a way to recognize outstanding 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.

In a few months, we’ll be opening up nominations for the Ladder Award. This award honors 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.

The winner of this award will be honored at The Experience in September in Las Vegas.

Finally, we will introduce a new award later this year to honor technicians. Keep an eye out for more details on that one.