2018 MLK Award Winner: The Importance of Being Earnest
There is a running joke that RIA honorary member Cliff Zlotnik, CR, WLS, CMH, has with Ernie Storrer. One that he believes sums up this man’s career in five simple words: The importance of being Earnest.
To some, those words describe an Oscar Wilde play; but to those who know him best, they are a perfect fit for Storrer—a man who has always been honest, truthful, and showing sincere and intense conviction.
And last night, those words were brought to life as Storrer was bestowed with the prestigious honor of the 2018 Martin L. King award at the RIA annual convention’s award banquet ceremony in Austin Texas.
RIA Industry Adviser Pete Consigli, CR, WLS characterizes Storrer receiving the honor as exemplifying the spirit of the award and embraces the RIA motto, “We Make it Better” with intensity and a quiet demeanor often operating below the radar and out of the limelight.
His career serves as a role model for the next generation of restorers who aspire to have their name called one day to receive RIA’s highest honor.
An Honest Background
Last year’s MLK award recipient Ken Larsen, CR, WLS, CMP gave the presentation speech in Austin. Ken’s presentation was often filled with humor and suspense as the crescendo built to "the announcement" of the MLK recipient which is RIA’s closest held secret each year at the awards banquet!
Before beginning his career in the cleaning and restoration industry, Storrer sold wholesale artist paintings out of a semi-trailer at a local hotel. His pitch was (seemingly) effective: “Come now … don’t miss out on this opportunity to buy these paintings at never before seen prices! This weekend only!” Rumor has it that he ended up selling tons with that line.
His family has roots in two industries: the coin operated laundromat and the supermarket. He was also in charge of the meat department at the family run supermarket business in Eastern Washington. In that regard, Storrer has something in common with Marty King himself, whose path to the fire restoration business was rooted in years of experience in the laundry and drying cleaning industry.
As his career evolved into restoration contracting, Storrer embraced it full force. Some would call him a purveyor of specialized patented restoration technology, and a tireless advocate for his fellow RIA members and industry colleagues when called upon for his help, expert advice, volunteer time and even financial support.
In all, his career spans more than three decades. Larsen feels to this day, Ernie holds to the purest form of restoration sciences and logic. His approach is practical and professional – to the point where he is a clear leader for those who wish to be recognized as a restoration professional. As such, he is a mentor to many in the industry today.
Winning Words
Ben Justesen, a man who was also honored in Austin with the Patti Harman Golden Quill Award, had these kind words to describe Storrer: “He has improved our understanding of drying since he entered the industry. He has manufactured equipment critical for the work we do.”
He has written articles, taught classes, and debated drying systems. Consigli weighs in by claiming that as a result of his presentation in a RIA drying debate in 2008 the well-known building scientist Dr. Joe Lstibuerk invited him to do a cameo spot on the technical program of the world famous “Summer Camp”.”
As a longstanding RIA member, Storrer has always made it his duty to protect this industry and members of the trade. He served on the committee that developed the Safe Harbor Initiative and has spent countless hours studying patents and information regarding the litigation affecting RIA members and industry stakeholders for several years.
He organized meetings and information to help educate those in the industry on how this litigation impacted everyone. He selflessly organized a charitable auction and helped raise over $50,000 and then spent many hours making sure the services and equipment went to the people who contributed.
He then agreed to be an expert witness for a lawsuit, spending even more time and money to do testing and have his people write detailed reports on all their findings.
He put himself in the crosshairs and had to defend himself when the plaintiff’s attorney subpoenaed him and his business. Few in the industry will ever really know all that he has done and without asking for anything in return.
He has done all of this because of the person he is, full of integrity, honesty, and the most amazing work ethic. He inspires all who are fortunate enough to know him.
Circling back to Zlotnik’s running joke about Storrer, you can be certain that there is no laughing matter when he says that Storrer has been an important contributor to the field of disaster repair because of his “Earnest” commitment to the trade.
Congratulations Ernie Storrer for his lifetime accomplishments to achievements in the restoration industry as the 2018 recipient of the Martin L. King award.