As senior executive and principal of American Restoration,Inc, Joe considers himself to be living the american dream. Joe and John have built a successful business creating jobs for hundreds of people and developing lasting and revered relationships. After graduation from East Texas State University, Joe choose to become a career professional in specialty construction, waterproofing, and historical restoration. While working for Western Waterproofing for 14 years, it afforded him the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up including hands on field work, project management, financial administration, and sales. Joe has learned over the last 25 years, the challenges of business ownership and the rewards of building a “customer first” organization. His company has prided themselves in delivering quality workmanship, within budget and on time.

As a native Texan, Joe enjoys the outdoors, playing golf, fishing, watching all sports or just hanging out with the family.

After my service in the United States Marine Corps, I completed my education at Southern Methodist University with a BA – Religious Studies in 2006. The call to American Restoration came soon after graduation. I have spent my first years learning the financial aspects of the restoration/ remediation business focusing on cost analysis, budgeting, and billing. Over the past four years, I have demonstrated “on the job” field experience in concrete restoration, structural concrete patching, double-T structural work and pad replacement. I have received vendor training and application certification on concrete deck coatings. I have now expanded my “hands-on” experience with various exterior restoration projects including glass replacement, wet glazing, stone replacement and stone restoration. I have been in Dallas, Texas for 25 years and enjoy spending time with my wife, daughter, Oklahoma football, hunting, fishing and golf.

After receiving my BS in Construction Management from Northeast Louisiana University I arrived in Dallas Texas in 1982 and began a 10-year stint with Western Waterproofing, learning the waterproofing and restoration business from the ground up. The last 4 of those 10 years were spent managing the Tulsa office and the remediation office in Houston, Texas.

The next three years were spent managing a start up office here in Houston for Centennial Moisture Control.

In late 1995 I joined American Restoration Inc., which that year had their first annual revenues exceeding two million dollars. I am pleased and proud to have been a part of helping the company grow to annual revenues approaching twenty million.

My early years with ARI were spent wearing several hats, as we often have to do being involved in sales, estimating and project management. As we have grown, while still involved with some project management my most prominent role now is preparing bid estimates, i.e., breaking down complex projects to manageable parts, quantifying those parts, and estimating the cost to perform those scopes of work. As many states in which we work require licensing I have also assumed the role of qualifying party on licenses, which we hold in 14 states. Most states require construction specific knowledge and testing in order to become the qualifying party. I have been happily married to my college sweetheart for over 28 years and we are blessed with four healthy kids, not out of the nest yet but getting there. In my limited spare time I have a passion for fishing, coaching baseball and reading.

Jerry “Butch” Thomas graduated from Texas A&M University, class of ’94, with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis in structural design. He holds certifications / registrations with EIT, CEP, CPM, RRO. Prior to working with ARI, he worked for French Engineering (FEI) as an engineer and project manager. With his extensive experience in problem investigation /diagnostics of commercial buildings, he brings a unique perspective with his technical expertise plus the applied techniques required for restoration /repair. Butch has “hands on” experience with various exterior cladding assemblies including, but not limited to, glasses and aluminum curtain wall systems, EIFS, stucco, brick, stone, pre-cast, steel and wood assembles. He is a “one stop shop” for water abatement, whether it is roofing, curtain wall, window issues, subterranean, concrete or asphalt. With Butch, you get a solution based bid, a qualified engineering partner, a value added estimator, a Project Manager, a construction financial guru, an experienced resource, and a friend.

His “AGGIEness” brings a quiet confidence, loyalty, and commitment to each of his projects. He is married, has two children and is living in the Houston area. He spends his free time with his family and participating in church activities.

As the son of a CPA, my experience with accounting and various business models began at a very early age. Alum of Jacksonville University in Florida with a degree in finance and management, my adult career began at Hull Chevrolet and upon graduation was promoted to Assistant Controller. After almost a decade in Florida, which I loved by the way, opportunities arose back in my home town of Wichita, Kansas, allowing me once again to work with my father, whom I greatly admired. In 1999, John McIlvain (ARI) a client of the firm walked in and the rest is history. A two week project evolved into a thirteen plus year career.

Proficient in various accounting systems (Mas90 in particular), Microsoft office tools, networking, databases, job costing, estimating templates, analytical thinking/cost-benefit analysis, contract review, and financial statement preparation/analysis (to name a few) has given me the necessary tools to help contribute to the success of American Restoration and the challenges we face in the construction industry-private and public as well as the ever changing economy.

Truly enjoy the American Restoration family and the pursuit of excellence culture instilled by Joe and John. On a personal note, love my dogs, traveling when I get a chance, and spending time with my significant other and her daughter. Am also a KC Chiefs fan so let me just leave it at that.

Cary has 23+ years of experience in the commercial construction industry, specializing in restoration and waterproofing of commercial buildings, historic building restoration, and structural restoration/repair. Cary has 23 years of applied job specific expertise, coupled with 13 years of proven project management ability.

Cary has been employed as a senior level Project Supervisor with American Restoration, Inc. since 2001. In the past 15 years Cary has successfully supervised various commercial restoration, historic restoration, and structural restoration projects. Most recently, Cary supervised the waterproofing and structural garage restoration of the Bailey Street Garage, Ft. Worth, TX, this was approximately a $1+ million project. Other projects that Cary has supervised include:

• Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, Miami Beach, FL. ($3.6+ million)
  Structural concrete repairs, panel pinning, and waterproofing.
• Union Station, Dallas, TX. ($1.6+ million)
  Demo/replace terra-cotta parapets, misc. terra-cotta replacement, misc. waterproofing and misc. sealants.
• Jefferson County Courthouse, Beaumont, TX. ($500 thousand)
  Stone replacement and repairs, roofing, and misc. masonry repairs.
• First Baptist Church, Liberty, TX. ($200+ thousand)
  Historic tuckpointing of the entire building, misc. stone repair and window replacement.

Cary has certifications for the following:

• SIA scaffold and swing stages
• BASF specialty training in waterproof coatings
• Approved installer of both Edison and Yahn patching materials

I have grown up around this business and have a nurturing curiosity about its inner workings, but I followed a more conventional path. Upon earning a B.S. degree from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in Education from Texas A&M University- Commerce, I pursued a career in Education. Teaching provided me the foundation for learning, driving to a mutually gratifying outcome and dealing with people of all ages. Due to Education budget constraints that career door closed but a new door opened at American Restoration in 2011. With the changing market dynamics and demographics, American Restoration recognized the need to enhance customer relations and update marketing programs. Fortunately my work ethic, interpersonal and professional skills transferred to the private sector quickly and I have adapted to this challenging environment. I have enjoyed the move to client relations coordinator, I establish and maintain relationships with customers and prospects, plan and organize company and customer events, and help create and maintain new and online marketing strategies.

I reside in Forney, TX where I am active in my church, including mission work in Africa. I am fun loving, and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Getting to travel is always a treat, whether it is East Texas or East Europe… I am ready to go! I really enjoy live music and you may even catch me singing.