Our Instructors

Jay Van Deusen

Jay Van Deusen

Jay Van Deusen is the General Manager of Rainbow International of Northeastern Maryland and proprietor of The Learning Lab. Jay’s background is in design-build remodeling and spent 25 years in Harford, Baltimore and Cecil Counties designing additions for commercial and residential clients, doing business as Van Deusen Construction Company, Inc.

Prior to starting Van Deusen Construction, Jay worked in residential construction as a carpenter and foreman, building Williamsburg reproduction style homes in Harford County. Jay has been active in many builder and remodeler associations, including The National Association of Homebuilders (CGR, CAPs and CMBR program certifications), The Home Builders Association of Maryland, The Remodelers Council of HBAM and the Maryland Improvement Contractors Association.  During the past 25 years he has received the following awards:

  • The Guild Quality Guildmaster award, which he was awarded 5 times for his dedication to customer service
  • The National Chrysalis Award, which recognizes quality of construction design excellence.

In 2010, Jay purchased franchise rights for Rainbow International in Baltimore, Cecil and Harford Counties to tighten the relationship between reconstruction services and mitigation services after water and fire losses.

Jay is active in the RIA, serving the Contents Council as a contributing member. He is certified by the IICRC in WRT, FSRT, OCT, AMRT and sits on the Rainbow International Advisory Council as an at-large member representing franchisees from across the country. He developed and teaches 12 continuing education classes for property and casualty agents. His classes are certified in three states. He is the provider at Rainbow for Prometrics.

Jay is very active in the local business and charitable community, including long serving positions at:

  • The Robert and Betty Ward YMCA
  • The Liriodendron Foundation
  • The Bel Air Downtown Business Alliance
  • Harford Friends School Board of Trustees
  • Bel Air Economic Development Commission
  • Harford County Board of Estimates
  • Bel Air Rotary Club
  • The Harford County Chamber of Commerce and Harford County Home Partnership

Industry education is a passion for him—in an industry as competitive as remodeling where competing companies didn’t even talk to each other, let alone reveal expensive- hard fought lessons about business and professionalism, Jay learned that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’—competition is great and has its place, but wouldn’t it be better to compete in part on capability and knowledge, rather than just price? This same passion carries over in the restoration industry as it did in construction.

Jay graduated from Pennsylvania State University at University Park with a BS in Agricultural Science in 1985.

Instructor Bill

Bill Weigand

Bill Weigand, Director of Restoration Chemicals for Legend Brands, has over 35 years of experience in the restoration industry. Weigand originally joined Unsmoke in 1988 as General Manager and in 1992 he was promoted to General Manager of Training and Technical Support. He has worked on disaster restoration projects throughout North America and the Caribbean.  This experience only strengthened his already deep knowledge of fire, smoke and water damage restoration.

Manual Vendelis

Manual Vendelis is the owner of Harford Cleaners and teaches our Dry Cleaning for Fire and Water Restoration approved CE class. Manuel is the owner of Harford Cleaners in Bel Air, MD and has been in the specialty dry cleaning business since 1996.

He is president of NARD (North American Restoration Dry cleaners), a national association he founded.  NARD  is a group of highly experienced and skilled fabricare specialists dedicated to the restoration of garments, textiles and soft goods that have been affected by any type of insurance loss.

As a group, North American Restoration Dry Cleaners have dedicated themselves to standardized processes and to responsibly restore only those items deemed affected and wanted by the insured. This standardization process saves the insurance company time and money while guaranteeing the highest quality of restoration dry cleaning and the strongest dedication to customer service that the industry has seen.

Manuel graduated from Towson University in 1992.

Destry Randal

Destry Ransdell, President of TEC Pro, has over 20 years of experience in the mold remediation industry. Destry opened TEC Pro in 2001 to provide Training, Education, and Consulting. Prior to becoming an instructor he worked hands-on beginning in the industry as a technician. He continues to work in the field as a consultant. With this experience along with a background in construction he provides training that is consistent with the best practices in mold remediation.