PuroClean Co-Founder Dick Spohn Retires, Takes Emeritus Seat on Board of Directors

Last edited on April 18, 2018

Fort Lauderdale, FL (November 1, 2007) – Dick Spohn, the co-founder of PuroClean who, along with his partner Rory O’Dwyer, helped lay the foundation for success of the nation’s fastest growing restoration and remediation franchise, announced today that he is retiring from “active company duty,” but will remain on the sidelines. Spohn will continue involvement with a Chairman Emeritus seat on the company’s Board of Directors to guide the 160-unit franchise to continued marketplace domination.

“Over the years, it’s been a great privilege to be able to create opportunities for a great number of good people to start their own business, to be successful and to hire their own employees,” Spohn said. “It’s been all about people and giving back. Through creation of a successful franchise system, we’ve stimulated the economy in areas all over the country. And the incredible friendships that have been developed over the years with our franchisees and our employees has been extremely rewarding, for myself and my family.”

PuroClean is an emergency restoration service business providing services to insurance companies and property owners for water damage, mold, smoke, fire clean up, and trauma events. Through the guidance and management of Spohn and Rory O’Dwyer, who together co-founded the PuroSystems concept 16 years ago (franchisor of PuroClean), the award-winning national franchise has earned the reputation as The Paramedics of Property Damage by property owners and insurance agents. PuroClean’s emergency service technicians are often viewed in the same light as paramedics or firefighters for the important role they play in protecting communities 24 hours a day.

O’Dwyer said he is excited that Spohn will continue on the board to carry on their vision and platform for the organization. In addition to his Chairman Emeritus role, Spohn plans to travel and enjoy more time with his wife Becky, his two grown children, Julie and Todd, and his five grandchildren.

“Dick and I have been friends and partners for nearly 25 years and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Dick Spohn,” O’Dwyer said. “We’ve grown something here that we are so very proud of, and it’s good to see that the phenomenal growth of PuroClean has created an opportunity for Dick to be able to pursue his own interests in life. At the same time, through his role as Chairman Emeritus, we will all still benefit from his wisdom and passion for the company.”

Spohn sold his interest in PuroClean to a partner group headed up by well known and respected entrepreneur and franchisor David McKinnon. McKinnon is also founder of Service Brands International (SBI), a multi-concept franchisor of professional home services brands based in Ann Arbor , Michigan. David McKinnon is a close personal and professional friend of Spohn and O’Dwyer who has served on PuroClean’s advisory board for the past two years. O’Dwyer will retain his half of ownership interest in the company.

According to PuroClean President and COO Keith Gerson, the Board of Directors creates an ideal “mind-sharing” environment in which PuroClean franchisees will benefit from the resources and knowledge that McKinnon and his SBI partnership brings to the table.

“We already have a long standing relationship with David (McKinnon),” Gerson said. “Though the management and philosophy of PuroClean will remain the same and we will continue to enjoy our autonomy, we appreciate the opportunity to work together to find ways to take our franchisees to even greater heights.”

McKinnon said the investment was a natural fit for his partnership group, given the fact that both PuroClean and the franchise brands affiliated with Service Brands International focus on professional services for homeowners.

“PuroClean is a strong concept with huge potential to fill marketplace demand. Our investment in the company is reflective of its solid franchise base, proven management team and exceptional business model,” McKinnon said. “I look forward to working with Rory, Keith and the franchise system to position PuroClean for its continued success.”

About PuroClean
The PuroClean concept was introduced in 2001 as a response to a need in the industry for a quality, relationship based organization. PuroClean franchisees service a $40 billion dollar recession-proof niche industry in one of the largest customer bases in the country — the insurance property claims industry. PuroClean is an emergency restoration service business providing services to insurance companies and property owners for water damage, mold, smoke, fire clean up, and trauma events. Currently, 160 PuroClean franchise units operate nationwide and in Canada. Entrepreneur magazine’s January 2007 issue ranked PuroClean in the upper half of the Top 500 Franchises in the United States. In addition to the Entrepreneur rankings, PuroClean was identified by FRANdata as one of the fastest-growing U.S. franchise concepts, ranking 53rd in the nation. For more information, visit www.purocleanopportunity.com.

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