Meet The Team | Michael "Woody" Woods

Christina Mullins • July 10, 2024

By now, we hope you've all recovered from your Fourth of July celebrations. It's always such a fun time of year and personally my favorite holiday after Christmas. But let's get to more pressing matters. 


Hurricane Beryl's Impact 

We are now officially in storm season, with Hurricane Beryl making landfall in Matagorda, Texas this past Monday, July 8th. It arrived as a Category 1 hurricane, causing immense flooding, wind damage, and tornadoes throughout the Greater Houston area. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected as they recover from this storm. 


Team Member Spotlight: Michael “Woody” Woods 

Moving on to this week's new blog post. Each month, I have the pleasure of highlighting a different team member from one of our branches. For July, we're shining the spotlight on Michael “Woody” Woods from our New Orleans branch. 


Woody's Background and Career 

Woody was born and raised in the small town of Holden, Louisiana. After graduating from Holden High School, he embarked on his career, working for many years in the septic tank business and gaining experience in the mold remediation industry. He has been serving as a project manager since joining our team in November 2021. 


More About Woody 

On a personal note, Woody is a proud husband to his wife, Rebecca. They have been married for 12 years and have five children between them. He is also known as “Paw-Paw” to five grandchildren and loves spending as much time with his family as possible. They enjoy going on Caribbean cruises together. 


In his spare time, Woody is passionate about motorcycles and loves riding his Harley Davidson whenever he can. He and his wife recently purchased an older model white Jeep Wrangler and are excited to create new memories with it. Woody is a fan of all LSU sports and is a proud member of the Acacia Shriners since 2017. In 2021, he served as the Potentate, or president, of the organization. 

Advice and Insights 

When asked what advice he would give to employees and company leaders, Woody said, “For employees, always give 100% in everything you do. Keep an open mind and be willing to learn new things. For leaders, always show appreciation. If something negative must be addressed, always follow with something positive.” 


Woody also shared what he enjoys about working at Guarantee Restoration Services: “I like being a name and not a number! From the top down, I feel like the whole company is my family.” 


Lastly, I asked if he had learned anything new recently. He responded, “At 54, I learn something new every day, which ties back to my advice for employees. I am always willing to and am learning new things!”

Join Our Family!

GRS has three locations in Louisiana: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette. We also have two locations in Mississippi, in Gulfport and Jackson, and last year, we opened a sixth location in Mobile, Alabama. If you or someone you know is interested in exploring a new career or position, visit our website to see a full list of 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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