5 Questions with Michael Pinto, CSP, CMP

By:
C&R Editor
on Wed, 10/11/2017

  1. How did you become involved with the environmental aspect of restoration?

    I have been working in the safety and health field since I graduated from college. Although I did not study for that career, I found a job working for the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) as a statistician. It was the first professional position I could find that fit my math background. Once in that position, I learned as much as I could of all the facets of safety and health. Shortly after I entered the field, asbestos “exploded” as a safety concern and that got me thinking about the connection between, safety, health and the environment.

    Steve Miller, a former ASCR board member, got Wonder Makers involved in the cleaning and restoration industry. We were helping him improve some company safety policies and procedures, and Steve realized that other industry associates needed similar services. So, he encouraged us to join and introduced us to the RIA family.

  2. Wonder Makers offers a number of education and training opportunities. What is the importance of continuing education in the cleaning and restoration industry?

    The world is changing at a fast rate. Understanding what tried-and-true approaches are still useful and which ones need to be revamped or replaced can either be accomplished by being beat up by the marketplace or learning from others who have already worked out some of the difficulties. Ongoing education is especially important given the flood of new technology and products that are washing over the restoration industry. I hope that I will continue learning something new right up to the day I die.

  3. Why are you involved in organizations such as RIA?

    Many people have the mistaken impression that education only occurs in a formal setting such as a classroom. While that sort of learning is important, some of the best education comes from interacting with industry peers. There is no better place to do that than with RIA.

  4. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

    I am passionate about my faith, my family and my work. That is why I answered the call many years ago and started training for ministry. Eight years ago, I was licensed as a pastor in the United Methodist denomination. I now shepherd a small country church about 45 minutes from my house. Restoration teaching and church preaching keep me pretty busy, but I have found time to research and write two novels of Christian historical fiction.

  5. What advice would you give the next generation of this industry's leaders?

    Cleaning and restoration is a business, but it must be a business with a heart. If you are not zealous about helping people and wanting to serve, then consider applying your talents elsewhere. It is possible to take advantage of hurting people after they have experienced a disaster, and the best way to protect against that is to actually care about the individuals who need cleaning and restoration services.