CareNotes

Summit Cleaning & Restoration Announces New Ownership Team

January 6, 2022

This business partner news update is from Summit Cleaning & Restoration, an OHCA business partner.


When Brian and Angie Harper purchased Summit Cleaning & Restoration in 2005, they did not have a goal of becoming the largest fire and water damage restoration company in Oregon; their goal was to become the best. They started with two employees and a passion for customer service at the corner of First and Ida in Stayton, Oregon.  It was an old gas station and the men’s restroom had been converted into a storage room. Brian remembers demolishing the urinal so that he could fit a desk into the room. They hung a moving blanket over the doorway because there was no insulation, no heat, and no door.

Their humble beginnings taught Brian and Angie that a company is only as good as its people. By treating their employees with respect, investing in their training, and being generous with their resources, the Harpers have worked to develop a team of people committed to providing best-in-class service throughout Oregon.

Today, Summit operates out of three locations with plans for more on the way. While their headquarters are in Stayton, a small town on the outskirts of Salem, they have strong ties to the Redmond and Oregon City communities in which they are located as well. They employ more than sixty people and have the opportunity to assist more than a thousand commercial and residential customers annually to recover from property damage losses. Their customer reviews and the fact that more than 10 percent of their jobs come from employees referring friends and family speak highly to their goals. There may not be a subjective way to measure if they are the best in the industry, but the reputation Summit has built consistently puts them into that conversation with industry participants.

Matt Davies joined Summit in early 2014 as a carpenter on the trade team. Matt was not only a skilled carpenter, he was humble, hungry, and smart. He believes every opportunity is a chance to learn and grow.  Matt doesn’t care about fancy titles or personal prestige; he is known to treat his employees and peers with the utmost respect even when having difficult conversations. He has held nearly every position within the company until becoming the Chief Operating Officer in 2021.

It was last June when Brian, Angie, and Matt began discussing the possibility of Matt joining the ownership team.  The restoration industry is experiencing massive consolidation as private equity groups are buying up independent contractors. As the Harpers looked toward the future and evaluated their succession planning options, it was important that the company stay true to its core vision. They plan to continue their involvement for many years to come, but recognize that at some point it will be time to pass the reigns. The three of them share not only their passion for serving their customers, but also their employees.

“The reason we can trust Matt to join us in ownership is that we see his humility and willingness to learn every day,” states Brian. “He consistently puts the needs of others before himself, and that is important, he is the kind of leader that people are proud to work for.” The Harpers recognize that Matt’s skills, energy, and leadership will continue to help Summit excel and look forward to working with him to continue their journey as they face the challenges of a constantly changing industry.

Matt got into the trades in Southern California at an early age and is experienced with numerous methods of construction. He has achieved certification as a double master restorer through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification during his time with Summit, a designation that is both difficult and rare.

Summit is proud to announce its newest member of the ownership team and asks that you join them in congratulating Matt Davies, as owner and chief operating officer, of both Summit Cleaning & Restoration and Summit Facility Services.