Meet The Team | Denise Reyes

Christina Mullins • June 12, 2024

Welcome, June! 

Hello, June! While the official start of summer is just over a week away with the summer solstice, it has felt like summer for well over a month along the Gulf Coast. Our team has had a steadily busy spring with the severe thunderstorms sweeping through our service areas. As always, we are gearing up for the height of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began on June 1st. 


Team Member Spotlight: Denise Reyes 

Each month, we highlight a different team member from one of our six office locations. This month, it's our headquarters' turn, and we're excited to shine the spotlight on our Receptionist, Denise Reyes. Denise has been with us for just over a year, since March 2023. 


Meet Denise Reyes 

Denise was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of five siblings to her parents, Dale and Dianna Catalano. After graduating from Mt. Carmel Academy, she embarked on her career, holding various administrative and receptionist positions. In 1995, she married her sweetheart, Guadalupe. Denise is a proud mother of two sons, Denis-Michael (33) and Christopher (27). 


In her spare time, Denise enjoys attending ballets, theatre productions, symphonies, and festivals. She loves hosting family events, which is probably her favorite pastime and keeps her the busiest. She traditionally hosts Christmas, Good Friday, and Mother’s Day, among other occasions. Entertaining has always been fun for her! Denise is also a fan of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. She and her husband volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul in their free time as well. 

Denise's Wisdom and Love for GRS 

When asked what advice she would give to employees and company leaders, Denise emphasized teamwork and communication: 


"For employees, don’t forget teamwork. If a co-worker needs assistance, do not hesitate to offer your help. On a team, there is no such thing as 'it’s not my job.' We’re all working toward the same goal. For the leaders, communication – take the time to have a conversation with your co-workers." 


Finally, when asked what she likes about working for our company, Denise shared: 


"I love being the person that gets to greet my co-workers every morning. I also love the fact that our CEO makes it a point to visit every co-worker when he arrives. That’s priceless!" 


There is no doubt that Denise has made an impact since her arrival at GRS early last year. Besides providing a smiling face to everyone who walks through our front doors, she often goes above and beyond her duties as a receptionist. Last Halloween, she provided hot dogs and chili for our team members, along with all the toppings and assorted desserts. We are all big "Mrs. Denise" fans! She has been a wonderful addition to our company and has significantly contributed to enhancing our company culture. 

Join the GRS Team! 

GRS has three Louisiana locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans. Our two locations in Mississippi are in Gulfport and Jackson. We opened a sixth location in Mobile, Alabama, last year. If you or someone you know is looking for a career change, visit our website to see a full list of currently available jobs. 

The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
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