Food Drive Competition At GRS

Shawn Folks • November 25, 2020

At the heart Guarantee Restoration Services, our team strives to emulate five core values each day. One of those, partnership, is at the forefront. Not only are our business partnerships important, but also our charitable partnerships that allow us to help people in need. That’s why this year, our executive team challenged our team members to a food drive competition!


We challenged our 4 branches to see who could bring in the most canned goods. The office who brought in the highest percentage of food items compared to the amount of staff would win a pancake breakfast. In addition, we committed to our employees that GRS would match however many foods were donated. For about two weeks our team competed int the food drive, bringing in vegetables, pasta, cereal and other shelf-stable items.


On November 23rd the food drive competition ended at 10:00 AM sharp, and the donations were counted at each of our locations. Combined, our team brought in 523 food items! We are proud to announce that our Gulfport, Mississippi branch won the food drive competition this year.


Later in the week, I went shopping at Calandro’s Supermarket, along with our Director of Human Resources & Safety, Marcie Richardson. These specific food items will be donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Our other locations in Gulfport, Lafayette and New Orleans will make monetary donations to the organizations noted below.


EMPLOYEE FOOD DRIVE – DONATION MATCH SHOPPING TRIP

FOOD DRIVE IN GULFPORT │GULF COAST COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

Like I mentioned above, our Gulfport office was the victor in our branch-wide food drive contest. The small, but mighty location donated 127 goods. Their donation will go to the Gulf Coast Community Ministries in Gulfport. This awesome organization feeds the hungry, clothes the poor, assists the sick, among other services. It has served the region since its inception in 2003.

FOOD DRIVE IN BATON ROUGE │ GREATER BATON ROUGE FOOD BANK

Our Baton Rouge staff was able to bring in 205 non-perishable items. Again, the items purchased at Calandro’s will be sent to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. GRS is proud to support this tremendous organization, like it has previously done so earlier this year. The GBRFB has served the hungry in 11 parishes surrounding Baton Rouge for more than 30 years.

FOOD DRIVE IN LAFAYETTE │ SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF LAFAYETTE

Next, our Lafayette team contributed 141 canned goods to the competition. They were narrowly defeated by the Gulfport branch by 0.5%. Their donations will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lafayette. This organization was started in New Orleans going back to 1983, and it expanded to the Acadiana region in 2004. Together, they serve 23 South Louisiana Parishes.

FOOD DRIVE IN NEW ORLEANS │ CITY OF KENNER FOOD BANK

Finally, our New Orleans office was able to donate 50 items to our food drive. Their food items and monetary match will be given to the City of Kenner Food Bank. This organization works in conjunction with the Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans to serve the people of Kenner.

IT’S TURKEY TIME, BUT ALWAYS AVAILABLE 24/7

We gracious to our generous team, who competed in the food drive and look forward to hosting similar events next year.

As a reminder, our offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 27th. No matter how full we are from turkey or tired we are from Black Friday shopping, our team is available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. For property damage emergencies, contact Guarantee Restoration Services at 800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net.

CONTACT US
By Christina Mullins July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
By Erik Seagrave July 15, 2026
Learn how Guarantee Restoration Services provides expert reconstruction services in Mobile, AL after water, fire, storm, and property damage. (
By Christina Mullins July 8, 2026
Behind every successful restoration project is a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping customers recover after disaster strikes. This month, we're introducing Jerome Etienne , a technician at our Baton Rouge office whose hard work and honesty make him a valued member of the Guarantee Restoration Services team. From Forklift Driver to Restoration Technician Jerome is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana , and joined Guarantee Restoration Services in September 2024 . Before beginning his career in restoration, he worked as a forklift driver. Since joining GRS, Jerome has embraced the hands-on nature of restoration work and takes pride in helping prepare properties for the rebuilding process. Finding Satisfaction in Demolition Work. When asked what he enjoys most about working at GRS, Jerome didn't hesitate. He enjoys working on demolition projects, where every job presents a new challenge and plays an important role in restoring a property after damage. Removing damaged materials safely and efficiently helps lay the foundation for the next phase of the restoration process, making demolition one of the most critical steps in recovery. Living the Core Value of Honesty Of GRS's five core values, Honesty is the one that resonates most with Jerome. "I believe people appreciate knowing the truth, especially after their property has been damaged. Being honest, dependable, and transparent helps build trust and shows our customers they can count on us from start to finish." Jerome believes honest communication helps reassure customers during stressful situations while building lasting trust throughout the restoration process. Advice for New Team Members Jerome's advice for anyone starting a career in restoration is straightforward. "Follow what the Lead Tech says. You'll learn everything you need to know." By staying willing to learn and trusting experienced team members, new technicians can quickly build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field. Outside of Work When he's off the clock, Jerome enjoys spending time outdoors. Whether he's fishing or visiting the gun range, he enjoys activities that allow him to unwind after the work week. A Childhood Dream As a kid, Jerome dreamed of owning a food truck. While his career path eventually led him to restoration, that entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic continue to shine through in everything he does. Thank You, Jerome! We're proud to have Jerome as part of the Guarantee Restoration Services family. His dedication, honesty, and willingness to tackle every challenge help make a difference for both our customers and our team every day. Interested in Joining the GRS Team? At Guarantee Restoration Services, we're always looking for hardworking individuals who share our commitment to excellence, honesty, efficiency, and partnership. If you're interested in building a rewarding career with a team that makes a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers page to learn more about current opportunities and become part of the GRS family.
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