IAQ Radio

Eugenia Mirica, PhD is the Laboratory Director of the Materials Science Laboratory at EMSL Analytical, Inc in Cinnaminson, NJ. Eugenia received her Ph.D. in Materials Science from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2002. She joined EMSL at the end of 2002 and she has been with the company ever since. Her expertise involves complex analyses employing a large variety of analytical techniques, utilized for the identification and the comprehensive characterization of various types of materials.

Luis Suarez is a seasoned technical educator and consultant with over a decade of experience in the Restoration industry. His journey in this field is marked by a passion for education and a strong commitment to helping others succeed. As the founder and leader of RestorRight Bilingual Academy, Luis has created a dynamic platform aimed at advancing knowledge and skills within the restoration community. This endeavor was inspired and supported by Recovapro LLC, a prominent water and fire restoration company whose mission aligns with Luis’s dedication to education and mentorship. Luis’s primary objective is to guide and mentor aspiring professionals in the restoration industry, helping them navigate the challenges that come their way. His immediate goal is to become an approved IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) instructor, enabling him to provide certification courses in both English and Spanish. This reflects his commitment to making high-quality training accessible to a broader, more diverse audience. Beyond his professional pursuits, Luis is a loving husband and the father of two energetic youngsters who keep him on his toes whenever he’s not furthering his own education.

Ralph Moon, PhD is a Building Scientist with more than 42 years of consulting experience in the areas of duration of loss studies, material testing, risk assessment, project management, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality assessment. Dr. Moon has published over 60 peer reviewed and 40 technical articles and papers and is a frequent expert witness on insurance-related claims and projects. Dr. Moon has a unique background that combines extensive field experience, seminar development and presentations, research, and legal services in IAQ, building science and disaster restoration. Jeremy Beagle is a CIH and Senior Principal Scientist with SDII Global and has been performing causation assessments and providing expert witness testimony pertaining to water damage, fungal growth, and other indoor environmental concerns in the built environment for over 21 years. Jeremy speaks at conferences, workshops, and provides continuing education in the insurance services, indoor air quality and indoor environmental spaces. He has authored industry-related articles and has published papers as part of the ASCE Forensic Engineering Congress. He is the Vice Chairman of the IICRC S530 Standard for Indoor Environmental Assessment for Suspected Mold Contaminated Structures consensus body and is on the Board of Directors for the Indoor Air Quality Association.

Ken Siders, CMP is ETA’s Senior Environmental Consultant. He is the past Vice President of Environmental Services at Housecheck. Ken has over 20 years working as an environmental Consultant doing projects around the world including for the Navy, Air Force and TSA. He is also a Commercial and Residential Building Contractor and an Expert Witness specializing in Structural Environmental Disaster Response and Essential Responder Services. This presentation chronicles a challenging three-year project journey at Word of Life Church, titled 'Word of Life Church The Saga Ends”, stemming from complex moisture intrusion following hurricane damage to a unique multi-layer roof system. Referencing standards such as the IICRC S-500, this case highlights the critical steps and obstacles encountered from initial assessment through legal challenges. The presentation will detail the project's key phases, including the intricate initial moisture intrusion and physical building inspections, the meticulous monitoring and documentation of the drying process, and the significant delays and disputes encountered while seeking necessary funding from the insurance company. The narrative culminates in the critical deposition phase, where the project's technical findings and procedures were rigorously examined. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the paramount importance of thorough documentation and strict adherence to peer-reviewed industry standards like the IICRCS-500 when managing complex restoration projects, particularly those involving potential insurance litigation. In conclusion, the 'end' of this saga underscores how diligently prepared documentation serves as essential evidence, validating proper restoration processes and navigating legal challenges often faced in large-scale, disputed claims.

This week, IAQradio will interview Dr. Jake Avila, Associate Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, to discuss his work at MTSU’s School of Concrete and Construction Management. The question for the restoration industry is, will its chance at a 2nd Act with higher education advance the practice and trade of restoration and damage repair, to be recognized by government and general industry as a profession? Tune in this week for an engaging interview with Dr Jake as he discusses a plan the restoration industry can embrace and build off the lessons learned from its first act with Purdue to advance the business of restoration to become a recognized profession! LEARN MORE this week on IAQ Radio+.   Dr. Avila's industry experience spans over seventeen years in the construction industry where he worked primarily in general management. Prior to his transition to academia, he served as executive vice president and general manager of CA Construction, a family-owned construction firm specializing in disaster restoration and government contracting. As general manager he oversaw the business operations as well as construction and consulting services to government agencies, homeowners, property managers, law firms, AEC firms, third-party administrators, and major insurance carriers. He is a scholar-practitioner and is committed to enhancing the work of restoration industry professionals through applied research. The underlying goal in all his work is to help disaster restoration firms build capacity by systematically advancing the understanding of industry dynamics, improving the design and application of best practices, and strengthening connections between scholarly and professional activities. His research recently examined family business dynamics in the restoration industry and, in collaboration with faculty at Purdue University; he is currently the principal investigator of a study that is examining employee burnout and engagement in the restoration industry. Since 2008 Dr. Avila has taught in business, engineering, and construction programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Prior to coming to MTSU he served two other institutions as an associate professor, business department chair, MBA program director, and program director in a college of engineering. Dr. Avila holds a bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Pepperdine University, a master of business administration from California Baptist University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. As an undergraduate he studied at ITESM in Guadalajara, Mexico, and while pursuing his master’s degree he studied at Regent’s Park College of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. He and his wife, Becca, have been married since 2004 and they have three children: Jackson, Liv, and Jeremiah. They live in Franklin, Tennessee and love to travel, explore, hike, fish, hunt, and do many other things outdoors.