About the Owner: Don Clark

                My career began in 1972 where I studied mechanical drafting at the Mergenthaler Institute of Technology in Baltimore, MD.  A few years later I entered the Home Improvement field.  With a large appetite for adventure, I then applied for a sub-contractor’s license at the Maryland’s Home Improvement Commission; took the test, passed and began hands-on remodeling of some small, local projects.  Three years later I came across a general contractor who specialized in Insurance Restoration, mainly fire and water damage, throughout the East mid-atlantic states……….so this is where my home insurance restoration career began.

            After working for 6 years as a certified subcontractor in Maryland, I then applied for a salesman license, passed the test and began estimating and bidding on remodeling jobs in the area.  Within 2 years I became a Junior Partner in the business and eventually took it over when the owner retired in l985.  Realizing the company needed to expand, I then applied for and received my General Contractor’s license.  While still in the youth of my career, I began expanding my talents and business, working with the Maryland Historical Parks District and the Fells Point Historical Society where I restored numerous historical buildings as well as the famous Darlenton Mansion in Hartford, CT., Md.

            While in the Insurance Restoration industry, the losses from fire, flood and storm damage continued to come year after year.  Then it happened!  One day in May of l992, a large hail storm destroyed the roof and siding on the house of one of my former clients.  This is the point in time when I began restoring the home exteriors and have been doing this type of work til today.  Over the years I have been fortunate enough to receive numerous achievement award for outstanding performance and customer service in the industry.

            Now it’s always been my nature to want to help people and to see that the job at hand gets done.  But most importantly, I want 100% of your expectations fulfilled and met.  With this goal always in mind, my business grew over the years allowing me to bring my two sons into the business:  Keith handles the marketing while Brett handles the operations.  Also working with me is my wife Cindy and daughter-in-law Stephany who both work in Administration.

            In September, 2001, I relocated the family and began assisting homeowners here in the Chicagoland area with their hail and wind damage claims.  When I first arrived and set up shop, I was amazed to learn that Illinois did NOT HAVE a Home Improvement Commission to govern the industry, protect the consumers (homeowners) and regulate the contractors.  As mentioned before, Maryland tightly controlled the industry back home requiring certifications at each step such as subcontractors, contractors, general contractor, salesman, etc.  Here in Illinois, there is no governing body like the Home Improvement Commission so just about anyone can apply for a contractor license and be allowed to do needed work on your home.  Many of todays’ contractors may have never been adequately taught, trained, tested and certified.  Having been through this rigorous and demanding training while working back in Maryland, I have become very knowledgeable on multiple facets of the home improvement trades and this prior training has helped me to grow my business three-fold over the past 11 years………adding a level of professionalism and integrity surpassed by no one.  Just recently our company was ranked the 135th largest contractor in the USA by “Qualified Remodeler” magazine and this huge accomplishment is the result of our staff and technicians who without their dedication to the customers and the company we would not have this privilege.

            Now being the perfectionist that I am and having experienced the best, worst and all points in between with regards to building materials and working with subcontractors, we have selected the best-of-the-best in materials for our customers who require new siding and roofing products.  And to protect our customers from any terrible subcontractor surprises, we make sure all our partners are qualified, professional, trained, licensed, bonded and insured.  This is how we’ve managed to become the largest restoration company in the tri-state area.

            To further educate and inform the local homeowners on good products and reliable contractors to use, we have just started and founded Sentry Publications, Inc. which is creating, designing, publishing and distributing the areas first Home Improvement Guide for the local homeowners.  You can view and download the guide from www.SentryRestorations.com or call the office for a copy.  We hope you’ll enjoy the inaugural issue (coming out in Spring, 2011)  along with subsequent issues to follow quarterly.  It is my intent to only publish the facts on any products tested and experienced by Sentry Restorations, Inc.

Don Clark,
Chairman and COO
Sentry Restorations, Inc.