Meet Tyler Pannell, estimator at BELFOR Property Restoration (www.belfor.com/en/us/belfor-usaoffices/nebraska/omaha).
Tell us a little about your business. – BELFOR Property Restoration is a commercial and residential property restoration company that works with insurance companies to rebuild and “restore” homes and business that have suffered any kind of catastrophe. We are a 24/7-365 day open emergency response crew to help homeowners through
traumatic experiences such as fire, water, wind, etc.
How did you get started in the business? – I got started when I was 19, as a fresh faced kid who thought he knew everything. Quickly I was brought to the real world and got taught the realities of the construction industry. Starting out as a tech and later rebuilding homes, I’ve gathered the much needed experience to be set up for success in an estimator role.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge I’ve faced is adapting to an office setting. As someone who’s spent a majority of their career out in the field, the mental switch to the opposite has had its challenges.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – As someone who’s been in the industry for the past 10 years now, I believe the most important achievement myself and others in my shoes have made would be to climb that ladder and truly make a career. Starting so young the only thing you’re looking for is a paycheck, and starting as the low man on the pole makes it easy to get stuck in that role. From many hours and hard work I’m happy to say I’ve found my career.
Tell us a little about your family. – My family consists of my girlfriend, Heather, who works as a therapist and our three dogs, Rusty, Arlo, and Kora.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Being in construction you’d think I would like to go home and not go near a drill or hammer, but I really enjoy doing work around the house, whether that be small little things or finishing my basement.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – My favorite quote comes from a movie called Whiplash with J.K Simmons and Miles Teller. It’s about a drummer at a high end music conservatory with a brutal instructor who said, “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job’.” This quote stuck with me as it means complacency is the halt of progress, which can be applied anywhere in life.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would choose to be a history teacher, and maybe do some coaching as well.
What is your favorite movie? – I have many favorite movies and it’s tough to pin one down, but I love history and time period films. One I’ve recently watched is called All Quiet on the Western Front on Netflix. It’s set in Germany during WW1 and the language is all German, but it’s a good depiction of the brutal realities of that war.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – My favorite would be Stella’s Grill. It’s a small award-winning burger place in Bellevue. My recommendation, even though it sounds crazy, would be to add jalapeños and peanut butter to your burger. Life-altering stuff.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 891-1300; www.belfor.com/en/us/belfor-usaoffices/nebraska/omaha.