Media Room Press Release
Media Room
Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60611
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Restoration Industry Association Announces
Advocacy and Government Affairs Developments
Chicago – The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) has appointed Ed Cross, Esq. as the official Restoration Contractor Advocate representing RIA’s Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) Committee. In addition to Cross’s appointment, the RIA Board of Directors also approved the first AGA position on third-party administrator (TPA) changes in scope to prevent inconsistencies between contractors, third-party administrators, and insurance carriers.
Cross’s appointment as Restoration Contractor Advocate fulfills step four of the AGA “Blueprint,” a plan created to provide a valuable systematic process to advance the AGA mission forward. Cross will now be empowered to take carefully crafted position statements from the industry and advocate at the highest levels.
“I am excited to have Ed Cross in the role of Restoration Contractor Advocate,” said Lee King, CR, RIA Board President. “Ed is not only the most qualified individual for this position, but he also carries a deep passion for our craft.”
RIA’s position on third-party administrators is an essential step in resolving disagreements when the TPA staff requests a revision, believing the request is based on contractual controlling documents, while the contractor remains unaware if the controlling documents apply, or may disagree with the interpretation of them.
“Creating a standard to resolve the issues between contractors, TPAs and insurance companies is the first of many concerns we seek to eliminate in the restoration industry,” said Ed Cross, Esq.
The RIA’s AGA committee is the restoration industry’s first unified advocacy team. It seeks to unite the restoration industry and advocate for the best interests of restoration contractors, and develop and implement strategies to help create and maintain equity between restorers and insurers and their partners.
###
About the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is the oldest and largest trade association representing the restoration and reconstruction industry with over 1,100 member firms worldwide. RIA serves and represents the interests of its members by promoting the highest ethical standards; providing education, professional qualification and certification opportunities; positively influencing regulations and governmental actions;and advancing the safety, image, efficiency, and competitiveness of industry members. For more information, visit www.restorationindustry.org.
RIA and IICRC Announce Strategic Partnership
Chicago, IL (May 1, 2019) – The Restoration Industry Association, Inc. (RIA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announce a strategic partnership to enable each organization to focus on its core mission and which will help elevate knowledge and professionalism within the industry.
In addition to providing an expanding list of rigorous educational programs, RIA hosts trade shows and conferences which highlight the latest technology, industry trends, best business practices, and regulatory developments.
IICRC is the leader for certification programs in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. And as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards developer, the Institute’s standards, which are the product of a balanced consensus body and public review, literally set the standard of care for cleaning and remediation.
Both RIA and IICRC understand the necessity to advocate on behalf of the industry in the face of ever-increasing regulation.
Pursuant to our partnership, RIA shall continue to develop its educational programs, but the actual administration of its respected designations shall be done by IICRC. The Institute will be able to offer and market RIA programs not only to RIA members, but to thousands of IICRC certified firms and tens of thousands of IICRC registrants.
Recognizing the benefit of RIA’s trade shows and conferences, the Institute looks forward to continued sponsorship opportunities which will enhance the profile and exposure of IICRC certifications and standards.
In addition, the Institute shall build up the years of work, and thousands of RIA volunteer hours, by forming a consensus body for the BSR/IICRC S700: Standard for Professional Smoke and Fire Restoration. Thanks to this strategic partnership, an ANSI-approved fire standard will be brought to the marketplace.
Finally, leadership from both RIA and IICRC shall form an Industry Advocacy Task Force to identify issues, and the means of addressing such issues, for the mutual benefit of RIA’s and IICRC’s constituency. Advocacy has long been a RIA focus, and RIA welcomes the Institute's involvement and perspective.
This strategic partnership is the product of countless volunteer hours by individuals dedicated to the industry. The resultant agreement recognizes more can be done to move the industry forward when RIA and IICRC support each other in achieving our core missions.
About RIA
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is the oldest and largest trade association representing the restoration and reconstruction industry with over 1,100 member firms worldwide. RIA serves and represents the interests of its members by promoting the highest ethical standards; providing education, professional qualification and certification opportunities; positively influencing regulations and governmental actions; and advancing the safety, image, efficiency, and competitiveness of industry members. For more information, visit www.restorationindustry.org.
Media Contact:
Ande Leslie
312.673.5534
aleslie@restorationindustry.org