HighGround

This month, we’re spotlighting Shane Gigout, Vice President & General Manager of Dry Force Corp., one of Texas' most trusted names in water damage restoration.

Shane and his team continue to set a high standard with technical excellence, fast response times, and genuine care when customers need it most.

With the support of HighGround’s platform, including initiatives like our Leadership Academy, leaders like Shane have opportunities to learn, grow, and expand their impact alongside peers across our brands.

When experienced operators come together with the right support and shared purpose, everyone gets better together.

Together, we turn chaos into calm.

We're proud to recognize Damarcus Harris, Fleet Maintenance Technician at Dry Force Corp, who's made a big impact in just a few months.

When he joined the team, fleet maintenance was starting to fall behind following a busy season. Damarcus stepped in, took ownership, and quickly got things back on track. His mechanical skillset and passion for tech also led him to improve how Dry Force uses their vehicle tracking platform.

“I take pride in work that shows real results. Knowing what I do directly supports the team and affects operations is what keeps me focused and motivated.”

Outside of work, he loves building computers, gaming, making music with his family, and attending conventions when visiting new cities.

We’re grateful for the dedication and pride Damarcus brings to the team every day. He is a key part of Dry Force's continued excellence.

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Scott Upshaw, Reconstruction Manager at Northeast Power Dry, whose journey with the company reflects growth, leadership, and a drive to build something lasting.

Scott first joined the company as a Water Project Manager in 2018. After stepping away for two years, he returned with a clear mission: to build Northeast Power Dry’s reconstruction department from the ground up. Since then, he’s led that effort with focus and determination.

Scott’s favorite part of the job is "seeing the growth of the Reconstruction department so far and how the team thrives in such a fast-paced environment.”

Under Scott’s leadership, the reconstruction team has become a key part of the company’s operations, meeting the demands of complex projects while maintaining a strong, team-driven culture.

Fun fact: Scott is known around the office for his sense of humor, especially his love for pulling off well-timed office pranks on his coworkers.

We’re grateful to have Scott leading the way and continuing to grow one of the most critical areas of the business.

This month, we’re spotlighting longtime leader Peter Filipiak. Peter serves as General Manager at Northeast Power Dry, which has served central New Jersey with dependable, 24/7 water damage restoration for more than a decade.

Behind that reliability, we are proud to offer consistent support at every level, giving the local team the backing they need to stay focused on their customers.

HighGround’s ongoing support across services, reporting, and shared expertise allows Peter and his team to concentrate on what matters most: consistently delivering an exceptional experience for the homeowners and businesses they serve.

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Arel Flanagan, who has served as a Business Development Representative at Expert Water Removal for the past year.

Arel brings a deep sense of service and leadership to her role, shaped by 12 years in multifamily property management, where she helped homeowners and renters navigate emergency situations with compassion and professionalism. Arel also credits her role as the oldest of seven siblings for giving her a natural ability to guide and support others; qualities that have translated seamlessly into her work in the restoration industry.

“My favorite part of the job is building meaningful relationships with companies that don’t always realize how much they can benefit from partnering with us to strengthen their brand awareness.”

Fun fact: Arel studied American Sign Language for four years in high school and holds both the IICRC Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) certifications.

We’re proud to have Arel as part of the HighGround family and excited to see what the future holds!