Jeff Cross
Jeff Cross is the ISSA media director, with publications that include Cleaning & Maintenance Management, ISSA Today, and Cleanfax magazines. He is the previous owner of a successful cleaning and restoration firm. He also works as a trainer and consultant for business owners, managers, and front-line technicians. He can be reached at [email protected].
The Fine Art of Mansplaining
Let me set a scene for you. A technician shows up at a home. He is a professional, and he is knowledgeable. He has the...
80 Years Strong: RIA’s Next Chapter Is Already Underway
When a group of 10 major rug-cleaning companies came together in 1946 to form what they called the National Institute of Rug Cleaning (NIRC), the...
RIA Leadership Outlines Margin Pressure, Ethics, & a Fight for Recognition At RIA 2026
The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) marked its 80th anniversary in Savannah, Georgia, with a record International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo turnout of roughly 1,450...
Same Mission, Bigger Stage: Violand Executive Summit Heads to Chicago
Chuck Violand started the Violand Executive Summit in the early 2000s with about 40 or 50 attendees, a borrowed conference center at Kent State University's...
Where Science Meets the Field: Inside the CIRI Science Symposium 2026
For years, the cleaning and restoration industry has operated largely on experience, instinct, and hard-won field knowledge. The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) is working...
The Real Cost of ‘I Will Deal With It Later’
About three months ago, a small sound appeared in my Jeep. A tick. Barely noticeable. Kind of rhythmic. Almost musical. I named it Thomas the...
Stop Using One AI Tool for Everything
Most cleaning and restoration business owners who have dabbled in artificial intelligence have done it the same way: pick one tool, use it for everything,...
The Trust Factor: An Inside Look at RIA’s New Ethics Framework
Ethics can sound like a soft topic—until trust breaks down, claims get messy, and the reputation of an entire industry begins to feel the pressure....
Why Air Quality is the New Five-Star Standard
Indoor air quality and mold management have moved well past the maintenance department. In the global hospitality industry, they are now brand issues, guest experience...
Gabe Rowley: Much More Than Option 5 on the IICRC Helpdesk
What happens when you call the IICRC? Most people in the cleaning and restoration industry know the IICRC by its certifications, its standards, and the...
