The Fresh Air Group grew from a local cleaning and restoration business near Orlando, Florida. President and CEO Jim Ilardi decided to take the business in a new direction beginning in 1998. By focusing on unmet needs, the company has evolved a unique service model to manage the complexities of disaster recovery and remediation for multi-unit buildings and other large properties.

When water damage restoration is done incorrectly, it can lead to later problems, such as the growth of bacteria and mold. In eight out of ten cases of work performed by some water damage restoration companies, there is proven evidence of mold being left behind. Our CEO, Jim Ilardi, was among the first to be certified in mold remediation in the late 1990s, back when mold remediation was not even a category in the Yellow Pages.

As awareness and concern over the financial and health effects of mold has grown, the company has gained deep experience with procedures and protocols that eradicate mold and prevent its growth in water-damaged buildings. We have led the mold remediation industry in other ways. For example, CEO Jim Ilardi chaired an industry-sponsored committee that influenced the Florida legislature to pass the so-called "Mold Bill" in 2007, requiring mold remediators to carry pollution liability insurance.

Our approach and industry leadership has led to success and rapid growth. For example, we have built relationships with condominium management groups, becoming the preferred disaster recovery vendor for property managers with thousands of homeowner units in their portfolios. Our strong management of disaster recovery projects in Texas following Hurricane Dolly in mid-2008 led directly to larger remediation projects unrelated to the hurricane. And we continue to innovate with technology and business practices that set us apart in the industry.