Rick Padilla won the Ryte-Tech Award for the most outstanding technician for the month of September 2021--his knowledge and professional representation of the Rytech brand earned him that distinction.
The Dry Log interviewed Rick to learn a bit more about what drives him to excel in servicing Rytech Restoration’s homeowners and business clients.
Rick lives where he works, in San Antonio which, for what it’s worth, is the seventh-largest city in America and a popular tourist destination known for famous sites like the Alamo, Sea World, and The San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Rainfall is low even for Texas, around 33 inches a year on average. And it practically never snows. But, to Rytech’s benefit it is ripe with potential clients as San Antonio is one of the fastest growing metro regions in the entire US.
Rick Padilla has worked at Rytech San Antonio for just slightly over fourteen months but has adjusted well to its guaranteed satisfaction service model. His motivation, his rock, is summed in one word...pride.
Owner Gino Lenzi discovered Rick working at another restoration company where he remediated carpets, tile, upholstery and even did some air duct cleaning. It’s also where Rick got most of his early training. “I got my IICRC certification in carpet cleaning, stone, masonry and ceramic cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, odor control, water damage restoration and applied structural drying” he said with just a hint of pride.
Speaking of pride, Rick speaks fondly of his son Jacob, who is 26 years old with a degree from UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio) in business administration, finance and accounting. “He now works for the city of San Antonio” Rick says and even more pridefully... “I have a beautiful girlfriend of seven years named Celeste Bustos” smiling, “she’s a retail manager here in San Antonio.”
Working with Rytech means learning how to work with insured losses and how important it is to balance what the insurer needs to do its job while making certain the premises are Rytech Dry.
Pleasing customers is Rick’s bottom line. “I remember a customer that was so pleased with our work she wanted to give us something special but didn’t have anything to give us. In the end she promised that the next time we came to her grocery store she’d buy us some groceries.” Of course, they didn’t need the groceries, but the offer made the hard work very satisfying.
Spare time? Rick loves music, all kinds. It’s not only his guilty pleasure but a major source of relaxation from a busy day. “I play bass for a heavy metal band and that’s my true love.” But, what’s left of his spare time is usually spent working on his cars, yet another source of pride for a hardworking technician.
Sports? “I’m a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs since forever!” he exclaims, “....and of course my San Antonio Spurs.”
Rick, like so many in restoration, also takes pride in giving back. “In the near future I would like to have my own music studio equipped with everything I need to teach underprivileged kids and adults music... free of charge.”
“I can honestly say since being with Rytech that my hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. I’ve always taken pride in what I do, and it feels great to know that I am now with a company that appreciates my work.”
