FirstOnSite Restoration Expands Leadership Team in British Columbia

Leader in disaster recovery adds industry experts to its roster

June 29, 2011 – Toronto, ON – FirstOnSite Restoration, Canada’s largest independent restoration and disaster recovery company is pleased to welcome Joe DeAngelis, Chris Johannesen, and Steve McDonald, to its British Columbia leadership team.

These new hires support FirstOnSite’s strategy to continue to provide quality and efficient service to its clients from coast to coast by hiring the very best in the field.

“One of our main priorities is to continue to recruit top talent in the industry,” said Bruce Derraugh, Chief Operating Officer, FirstOnSite Restoration. “Our company has always been dedicated to providing the best service to our clients, and I am pleased to have this team on board in British Columbia. In fact, the team is already hard at work, most notably helping businesses in Vancouver recover following the Stanley Cup Final riots.”

The new FirstOnSite British Columbia team members include:

Joseph DeAngelis, Vice President and General Manager, B.C. Region – Mr. DeAngelis brings more than 35 years of management experience to FirstOnSite. He is responsible for implementing and evaluating the region’s strategic direction with FirstOnSite’s national priorities, as well as operational oversight, stakeholder management and leadership/development for the B.C. marketplace. Mr. DeAngelis’ background includes many years delivering value added services including construction management. Prior to joining FirstOnSite, Mr. DeAngelis was the vice president of business development and sales for consumer electronics where he led international sales, product development and customer operations for major products.

Chris Johannesen, District General Manager, Surrey and Fraser Valley – With more than 30 years in the disaster recovery industry, Mr. Johannesen is using his experience to lead the team in the Surrey and Fraser Valley region. Mr. Johannesen is responsible for the overall operations of the two branches.  Prior to joining FirstOnSite, Mr. Johannesen was a project manager and partner for various restoration companies in western Canada where he oversaw multi-million dollar projects. 

Steve McDonald, District General Manager, Metro Vancouver – Bringing more than 20 years of restoration experience in western Canada, Mr. McDonald has worked collaboratively with all major insurers and has a trusted and respected relationship with all. In this new role, Mr. McDonald will be overseeing operations in the lower B.C. mainland.

“This team is also being guided by one of the most valued industry veterans, Allen Booth, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at FirstOnSite,” said Derraugh. “Allen has more than 35 years of experience working up and down the west coast and the whole region is really benefitting from having him provide strategic council to the group.”

Mr. Booth was one of the original founders of FirstOnSite and has led some of the most notable projects in B.C. including the restoration of BC Place in 2007 when a piece of the stadiums’ air-filled roof blew off allowing a substantial amount of  water into the building. For more information about FirstOnSite Restoration and its executives, visit www.firstonsite.ca

About FirstOnSite Restoration:

FirstOnSite Restoration is the largest independent emergency restoration company in Canada serving the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With 1,100 employees and more than 40 branches coast-to-coast, it delivers 24/7 emergency services when a disaster strikes. FirstOnSite’s corporate structure provides scale, stability and unsurpassed capabilities in Canada. The core strength of the company is its team. It looks for the best and the brightest in the industry. It invests in its people and in the communities where they live and work. FirstOnSite is majority-owned by TorQuest Partners Inc. and is an approved vendor for many leading insurance companies. For more information visit: www.firstonsite.ca or call 1-877-778-6731.