National First Response Management Team

Shane Orlando’s entire professional life has been about building and restoration, and he uses that vast experience and his business acumen to guide National First Response. He started working as an energetic 13-year-old framing houses in the Mesa, AZ, and for the next several summers built hundreds of homes. Meanwhile, Orlando began using his homebuilding earnings to buy and fix run-down cars and motorcycles, which he then sold to friends and car enthusiasts. He was so successful in restoring vehicles; he opened his own auto body shop. Orlando Auto Body began in a 600-square-foot shop working on 100 cars a year and now has become a high-tech operation with 15 full-time technicians that restore more than 1,000 vehicles annually. In the early 2000s, Orlando returned to his home building roots with Orlando Custom Homes. He began by refurbishing homes for people, but soon was building multi-million dollar custom homes throughout the Valley. Orlando Custom Homes built dozens of custom homes and developed several sub-divisions. Even before the demand for high-end homes diminished, Orlando had turned his restoration and building talents toward helping to restore homes damaged by a disaster. He started National First Response in 2008, and the company has grown steadily since establishing itself in the industry for its quality, quick and thorough work. Shane also contributes to the community through his work with non-profit organizations. Seeing a clear need, in 2010, Shane created a non-profit organization, Community Restoration, which helps homeless shelters to maintain or expand their facilities. The non-profit’s first project was to build new sleeping quarters for the East Valley Men’s Shelter in Mesa. Shane lives in Mesa with his wife, Heather, and their four children. He is an avid hunter, boater, and motorcyclist.

Challenge Chris Owens with virtually any construction project and he will know what to do. With more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry and restoration, Chris has seen just about every imaginable scenario. He began his career in the underground utility trade and in just a few years, became a project superintendent for Moline Construction. There he managed a variety of projects ranging from building out a DSW shoe store to building an Episcopalian church. As a principle in McCormick Owens Development, Chris oversaw a number of significant projects, including multimillion-dollar custom homes and multiple subdivision projects such as San Tan Lakeside Estates, an 80-acre master-planned community in Gilbert, AZ. For National First Response, Chris oversees all the large loss projects and oversees the day-to-day operations of the business. Since joining National First Response in 2011, gross sales have increased from 1.5 million to 5 million in 2019. Chris’s focus has been directed towards helping NFR’s clients first and foremost and as a result, the business continues to grow. Chris lives in Chandler with his wife Stephanie and has 2 children. Chris enjoys racing and riding motorcycles, and spending time with Stephanie and their dog Zoe.

Kevin’s passion for excellence and experience provides us the ability to distinguish what actions or processes are needed to create efficient, profitable operational results. Kevin has been utilizing the training he received in Total Quality Management and Strategic Resource Planning to guide several other companies throughout his career. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was able to travel the world. Using the leadership skills he acquired in the Navy, he has been able to help lead our team forward today. Born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. His young life was chalked full of challenges; tests of faith, strength, and courage. Kevin married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and together have four children.

Vinnie has nine years’ experience in the restoration industry. He first began working in the field of asbestos and lead remediation, where he became a well-rounded expert in emergency mitigation. Over the years he has enjoyed furthering his knowledge within the many facets of the industry while growing in his expertise. He has been an integral part of the team at the National First Response since 2015. After several years in the field as a lead mitigation tech, he was promoted to Mitigation Manager. He takes pride in being able to assist our homeowners during fire and water emergencies quickly and correctly so homeowners can have less stress during stressful times. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons.

Eric Walters is a rare breed in his generation. Eric grew up in California where he honed his skills in all facets of construction. With his attention to detail, he became a master trim carpenter and cabinet installer. There really isn’t anything Eric can’t do related to construction. Eric came to NFR in 2013 where he was utilized in the field for a few years. His people skills are equal to his construction ability, and he was moved into the office as a project manager and now fills the role of Operations Manager. With Eric’s self-starter mentality and his desire to learn, he quickly adapted to his new position. Eric currently manages anywhere from 30 to 40 projects at a time. Eric has become an integral part of the company and participates in making decisions about the company’s growth and key moves as we grow. When Eric isn’t working, he enjoys training and hunting with his 3 dogs and spending time with his wife Brandi and two kids Corey and Dominick.

Jeremy started his career in construction long before he came to NFR. Jeremy first came to NFR in 2018 as a very skilled tradesman working in our reconstruction division. The team at NFR quickly identified that with his attention to detail, organizational skills, and vast knowledge of construction he would make an ideal project manager for NFR. Jeremy transitioned out of the field in 2020 and has been running projects and helping our clients either restore their property to pre-loss condition or helping them recognize and execute their dream. Jeremy is an Arizona native and when he is not helping people get their homes back together he enjoys Mountain biking, snowboarding, volunteering with multiple charities and spending time with his son Kole and daughter Chevelle.

Cody joined the team as the Reconstruction Estimator in the Fall of 2021. Previous experience as an adjuster was a driving factor in working at NFR. His attention to detail helps in delivering estimates that capture all that is needed to restore properties and get people's lives back to the way they were before a loss occurred. A little over a year into working here, Cody has now broadened his responsibilities by stepping into the bookkeeper position on top of his estimator role. With that new role, the knowledge and skills he acquired while earning his MBA will serve as a powerful asset in enhancing the company’s performance. Born and raised on Long Island in New York, Cody spends some of his free time growing the game of lacrosse here in AZ. Currently, he is the assistant men’s lacrosse coach for Grand Canyon University. When he is not coaching, he takes the opportunity to hang out with his friends and family.

Christina started out as a part-time administrative employee and has excelled impressively, now serving as our Office Manager. She is the backbone of company operations, overseeing the human resources, accounts payable, and providing essential project management support, she navigates a vast spectrum of duties with unwavering competence. Her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills ensures that our office functions seamlessly even amidst complex matters. Her ability to successfully manage such a diverse range of responsibilities underscores her multifaceted skills and determination. Whether she's expertly managing our office or cheering on her favorite football team, Christina's dedication to excellence shines through in every endeavor. Being an Arizona resident from birth, she was a part of a construction-oriented family, with her father's 25-year tenure as a roofer, she has a firsthand appreciation for hard work and dedication. Having a house full of family with many children running around fills her with pride, while her role as a doting grandmother adds a special spark to her life.

Erin is our Business Development Manager and is renowned for her proactive approach to driving company growth. With a keen focus on marketing strategies and social media outreach, Erin adeptly navigates the dynamic landscape of modern business. Her meticulous attention to building and nurturing business relationships not only expands clientele but has also positioned her as a key player in cultivating strategic partnerships. Within her role, Erin's networking prowess serves as the cornerstone of her success. Her ability to establish and foster connections has been instrumental in propelling the company's reach and reputation. Through her innovative strategies, she not only promotes the brand but also effectively communicates its value to potential clients. Outside of her professional role, Erin finds joy in her role as a devoted mother to a beautiful daughter, as well as caring for her two beloved dogs. Along with this, Erin loves being outdoors, taking vacations, and embracing nature.

Matt Romero is a seasoned professional with over 22-years in the insurance industry. With a diverse background that spans both insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his role as a Reconstruction Division Project Manager. Having spent 7 years in the construction industry, Matt possesses an in-depth understanding of the intricacies and challenges that come with managing construction projects. This hands-on experience has allowed him to seamlessly transition into his current role, where he applies his comprehensive insurance industry knowledge, and understanding of construction practices to effectively lead and oversee projects. Matt's journey has been marked by continuous growth and learning. His experience in construction project management has further honed his ability to coordinate teams, allocate resources, ensuring projects are executed timely and properly. As a proactive problem solver and a strategic thinker, Matt thrives in dynamic environments. He leverages his extensive background in the insurance industry to navigate complex situations and provide innovative solutions that meet both customer needs and industry standards. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matt is known for his dedication to his family. He spends his personal time taking part in activities with his wife, and four children, as well as his extended family. With a strong foundation in insurance, construction, and project management, Matt Romero continues to drive success by delivering projects that exceed expectations and contribute to the overall growth of our company.