Japan, Germany, New York, New Orleans, Tampa, Perth, Cali, Cancun, Jamaica, and even Cedar Rapids.
If I skipped anything is only because I think the point is made.
Over a career of 24 years this month (Sept 2026), I have worked in multiple facets of what we call disaster recovery.
When a business has been impacted a fire, hurricane, earthquake, serious mold, tornado or any odd number of occurrences, specialists that are a niche inside of construction and cleaning are hired to help with getting that business back in operations and its staff back to earning a living.
While the clients are the ones that pay, most often they are using proceeds from insurance.
Leaping into this rather unique business in 2002, after selling another business, there is no part of me that made me think it would turn out as it is, and take me to the places it has.
Some Florida hurricane
Besides the places and the adventures, the part that stands out the most are those I did it with.
Employees, apprentices, managers or other contractors, a bond is formed much like I assume one in the military would experience (non-military myself).
Gulf Coast- BP Oil Spill [Deepwater Horizon]
Sisters and brothers. Friends and annoying and adversaries.
But one thing we almost always half smile and say is “we come to the most beautiful places at the wrong times.”
An area following a tsunami, earthquake and hurricane leaves not only individuals but communities in a terribly difficult time.
Broken Levee- Binghamton, NY
F5 Tornado- Joplin, Mo
We aren’t here to sightsee or see the local attractions. Because they are closed.
Occasionally I will return with my family or on business but I tend to carry a touch of anxiety (not quite PTSD) about being there. New Orleans is one I can say as much as I love it, it would take an awful lot to get me back there.
Beautiful people and culture but I saw shit.
After 13 years of learning from absolute masters of the trade, I felt comfortable starting my my own. Smaller scale and not international, but just as dynamic. Always urgent. Always difficult, always incredible timelines and expectations.
Safety, logistics, business and the growth of the people with us. I won’t even grumble on about getting paid.
I left that side in 2017 and became an adviser. I didn’t call myself a consultant but that’s the common term.
That has morphed to teaching, public speaking, online writing, author of 7 industry specific books. Education and fables, rooted in gritty realistic characters and a wide universe.
Among all that, one of my most rewarding experiences has been serving as a director and logistics/ operations for a non-profit. United Survivors Disaster Relief are very unique and one of a kind. We have volunteers that are survivors of the before mentioned event that deploy to the poorest or hardest hit areas after a disaster. Knowing what the next year to even 10 years will bring is a powerful engagement ….for both. Our survivor volunteers find healing in themselves by serving others.
I’ve settled way down, travel only for the non profit deployments and key events and partnerships.
There are a few places I’ve been that I think I’ll revisit.
Who knows, it might be near you and you might see me sharing my experiences there.
Cheers
—KB