River City Six – Brent Mencke
Meet Brent Mencke, senior estimator and account manager at BELFOR Property Restoration (www.belfor.com/en/us/belfor-usa-offices/nebraska/omaha).
Tell us a little about your business. – BELFOR’s origins date back to 1946. However BELFOR, as it is today, was formed in 1998. It is a general contracting firm organized to provide emergency services to preserve and restore residential, commercial, industrial, educational, agricultural, religious properties, and more that have sustained damages from fire, wind, water, etc. In addition to structures, BELFOR offers many specialized restoration services for personal belongings, business documents, and equipment, to name a few.
How did you get started in the business? – I started working in property restoration upon completion of college. I saw it as an opportunity to work in a field of construction that was less impacted by economic changes, most notably the real estate bubble which led to the Great Recession of the late 2000s.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Adapting to the ever-changing way that projects are managed in the restoration industry. Because most of the services that BELFOR offers are filed as insurance claims, there are various methods of documenting, estimating, invoicing, and receiving payments that are unique to each insurance carrier.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Opening a new BELFOR office in Omaha, essentially from scratch.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Moving from Omaha to Colorado Springs. Diving into a new market I had never been before and having to build new business and social relationships quickly exposed me to what my strengths and weaknesses were.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Going out to brunch at one of the many great restaurants in town and enjoying a cup of coffee without looking at my phone or caring about the time.
What is the most unique of interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am an excellent marksman with a rifle and shotgun. I enjoy pheasant hunting and trap shooting.
Who inspires you? – WWII leaders like George S. Patton and Winston Churchill have always been historic figures that captivated and inspired me. I have always been drawn to people with conviction. If you are sure of yourself and what you believe, others will believe and follow you.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gahdhi
If you could only choose one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Empathetic.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Love and Happiness” by Al Green.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Commercial architect. I like the idea of being associated with creating something tangible that others can experience and appreciate.
What is your favorite movie? – The Godfather.
What is your favorite TV show? – Seinfeld and Star Trek TNG.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Theodore Roosevelt.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 891-1300; brent.mencke@us.belfor.com; www.belfor.com/en/us/belfor-usa-offices/nebraska/omaha.