Paul Davis Restoration helps communities recover from disaster

Twin brothers Alex and Jon Wuest joined their mother, CEO Connie Wuest, on the leadership team of Paul Davis of South-Central Wisconsin just before communities across the state were buffeted with unprecedented storms.

The Jacksonville, Florida-headquartered company — with over 370 locations across the United States and Canada — provides commercial and residential cleanup and restoration services following incidents involving water, fire, mold or storms.

In April, the local franchise, based in Cottage Grove with another office in Janesville, was tasked with responding to damage caused by weather conditions such as widespread flooding and hail the size of baseballs.

As the company settles into new leadership and stretches to meet spikes in local demand, the Wuests are planning ahead for expansions at the local office, while working to maintain the culture that drew them into business together.

Jim Hirsch, the retired founder of the Madison-area franchise, said the work the company does is crucial to help families recover from the unexpected.

“It’s an industry that’s completely reliant on trust,” he said. “You’re dealing with the public when they’re most vulnerable after they’ve suffered something catastrophic.”

Alex Wuest said the assistance the company can provide to families during moments like these is one of the main reasons he joined the team.

“I always wanted to be in a career where I could help people,” he said. “I know I made the right decision with my career (because of) the impact that the company has … in the community.”

A family affair

Wuest and his brother Jon, who both have educational backgrounds in finance, joined Paul Davis Restoration in June 2024 and this past March acquired the shares of retiring co-owner Craig Slager to join their mother as co-owners. Alex became CFO, and Jon COO.

“I got to bear witness and participate in building the team we have here today,” said Slager. “It’s a team that comes to work with mutual respect for one another.”

Connie Wuest said working with family is a long-standing tradition at the local office.

“Craig’s daughter interned for us,” she said, “and Jim’s wife … worked here for 10 years. I think the family aspect is excellent. … You spend a lot of your waking hours at work.”

“Having family around (is) a big reason I made a pretty big change in my career,” said Alex Wuest. “We complement each other very well, and we care.”

Jon Wuest said he was initially more hesitant than his twin about working so closely with family.

“I had no interest in this ruining a relationship,” he said. “But ultimately, I think this opportunity made our relationship much closer. … (Alex has) got a lot of strengths that I don’t have,” and vice versa.

Help in the darkest hours

Paul Davis Restoration’s Madison-area franchise — serving Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Green counties — provides full-service restoration to over 1,000 customers each year with a team of 63 permanent employees.

The company protects and restores properties, assessing the damage to buildings and belongings; uses 3D scans to prepare estimates for insurance companies and oversees inventory, cleaning and returning any salvageable items.

Temporary employees are brought on to help the company meet needs in the aftermath of particularly devastating situations like April’s widespread storms.

Emily Ho-Abegglen, the company’s digital marketing manager, said in April the franchise saw “a surge in calls across Dane, Rock and Walworth counties, along with surrounding communities, due to wind, hail and water damage.

“We’ve already received hundreds of calls and are proud of the work we have completed so far,” she said.

On average, the franchise can help families return to their homes in three to four months after a large loss, Connie Wuest said.

She added that working with communities during traumatic times has also inspired company giving.

“It’s not lost on us that part of our living is made off of other people’s misfortunes,” she said. “It’s important to us … to give back to those communities.”

The company established and fulfilled the Paul Davis Restoration Community Fund, a $1 million endowment at UW Hospital, to support one burn unit medical professional annually. It also has raised over $950,000 in 20 years to support the Wisconsin Children’s Burn Camp and donated more than $80,000 in 2025 alone to local charities, schools and community organizations.

The company also established a Madison College scholarship for aspiring construction professionals. Employees deliver hands-on workforce training and internships.

Grounded growth

As the company transitions to new leadership and celebrates the franchise’s 30-year milestone, which it reached in May, plans are in the works for a major expansion.

The Cottage Grove office will get 30,000 square feet of new space to grow its team and statewide reach.

Jon Wuest said the new facility will provide more space for the company’s functions and draw more employees.

“A new building (will) bring more excitement and give them a little more pride in coming to the office,” he said.

Franchise founder Hirsch said slow, steady growth and careful hiring has been key to the company’s stability over the past decades.

“I determined that the way to avoid employee problems was just to not hire bad people!” he said.

Alex Wuest said as he and his brother look ahead, “It gives us confidence that … we have such great systems and culture in place that are truly ingrained in this company.”