Meet the Team
1-800 WATER DAMAGE is led by a visionary executive team that is passionate about your success
President of BELFOR Franchise Group, LLC: Rusty Amarante
Rusty Amarante, CR, has over 40 years of experience in the restoration industry. He is the Director of Operations for BELFOR Property Restoration, the global leader in disaster recovery and President of BELFOR Franchise Group, the world’s largest residential and commercial services franchise group including 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Delta Restoration Services, DUCTZ International, HOODZ International, N-Hance Wood Refinishing, The Patch Boys, RedBox+ and Z PLUMBERZ.
Whether handling a loss that affected a family of three or a major catastrophe requiring teams of 3,000+, he knows every situation is its own unique challenge. Rusty is responsible for coordinating the BELFOR National Catastrophe Team’s logistics, manpower, equipment and resources in the aftermath of national disasters on a daily basis.
Rusty was past-President of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and served as Vice Chair to the IICRC S500 and water damage standards guide. He is a sought-out speaker in the restoration industry and has conducted hundreds of training classes throughout his career to encourage passionate restorers for the future.
Chief Executive Officer of Belfor Franchise Group, LLC: Sheldon Yellen
Mr. Yellen has been Chief Executive Officer of HOODZ International, LLC, BELFOR Franchise Group, LLC and HOODZ North America, LLC, located in Ann Arbor, MI from October 2008 to the present. Mr. Yellen also has served as Chief Executive Officer for DUCTZ International LLC and DUCTZ North America, LLC, located in Ann Arbor, MI from July 2007 to the present. Mr. Yellen also serves as Chief Executive Officer of 1 800 WATER DAMAGE International, LLC and 1 800 WATER DAMAGE North America, LLC, located in Ann Arbor, MI, from April 2015 to the present. Mr. Yellen has served as Chief Executive Officer for BELFOR USA Group, Inc., located in Birmingham, MI, from April 2004 to the present. Mr. Yellen also has served as Director and CEO of BELFOR Holdings, Inc., in Birmingham, MI, since its inception in September 2006 to the present. Mr. Yellen also serves as Director of HRI Holdings, located in Nashville, TN from July 2019 to the present.
President of 1800 WATER DAMAGE: Tim Fagan, CR, WLS
Mr. Fagan has been in the restoration industry for over 25 years, having been the CEO of a predecessor water mitigation/contents company, which became part of the BELFOR family of companies in 2010. He has managed emergency losses in residential, hospital, university, business, manufacturing, multi-family and K-12 school facilities. In 2018, Mr. Fagan took over duties as President of 1-800-Water Damage and in 2019, he also took over as President of Blue Kangaroo Packoutz.
Mr. Fagan graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and holds two post-graduate degrees in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Fagan is the principal instructor for BELFOR’s continuing education courses for insurance agents and real estate licensees. He also manages the internal “BELFOR Boot Camp” training program for BELFOR Estimators, Project Managers and General Managers from around the US and Canada. Mr. Fagan is a licensed builder as well as a Restoration Industry Association Certified Restorer (CR) and Water Loss Specialist (WLS) – the highest level of training and certification available in the restoration industry.
Vice President of Franchise Development: Ken Osness
Mr. Osness has served as Director of Franchise Development for BELFOR Franchise Group, LLC, whose main offices are located in Ann Arbor, MI from December 2015 to the present. Mr. Osness also served as Director of Franchise Development for 1 800 WATER DAMAGE International, LLC, located in Ann Arbor, MI, from September 2015 to the present. Prior to that, Mr. Osness served as Franchise Development Manager for HOODZ International, LLC, from June 2006 to December 2015. Mr. Osness also served as the Franchise Development Manager of DUCTZ International, LLC, from June 2006 to January 2015.
