OUR STORY
The history of a proud Alaskan family business...
Bema - be·ma /ˈbēmə/ - noun: bema plural noun: bemata
From Greek bēma ‘step, raised place’
Historical the platform from which orators spoke in ancient Athens.
1.The altar part or sanctuary in ancient and Orthodox churches. The podium
or platform in a synagogue from which the Torah and Prophets are read.
2. A handcrafted seat or chair of inherent import.
A FAMILY BUSINESS
Richard Carr founded his construction company in 1974 in Kodiak, fresh from the Marine Corps and eager for the freedom, space, and wild that Alaska offered. He built a reputation for constructing custom homes on Kodiak Island, his young family in tow.
Through the years, Alaska went through many challenges & changes, which resulted in the family and company relocating to the Matanuska Susitna Valley in the eighties. In 1988, working with his longtime friend Donald Umbarger Sr., an expert in the field of structural mitigation, the company shifted focus to the mitigation, restoration & construction field. This evolved into the purchase of multiple franchises in Alaska of the leading restoration brand (at the time). From then until 2020, Bema and the franchise brand built a reputation from Homer to Prudhoe Bay for providing the highest level of service and quality in the mitigation, restoration, and construction fields.
In 1990, BEMA moved to its current location off the Palmer Wasilla Hwy. This has been the "home base" for BEMA since. In 2006, BEMA set up shop in North Kenai and maintains a facility to serve the peninsula community.
Joe Carr, Richard's youngest son, was raised in the company and worked summers in his youth as a laborer. After graduating from Colony High School in 1996, Joe came on full-time and worked with Richard to develop and grow the company, including parting ways with the franchise network and focusing solely on the family's longtime business, BEMA Restoration. Joe's wife and children (Donna, Joseph & Sally) also joined, and the latter represent the third generation of experts in the mitigation, restoration, and construction field.
In 2019, Richard Carr was recognized by the State of Alaska Home Builders Association as "Builder of the Year." This was a culmination of a lifetime of service and effort in our Alaskan community. In 2020, Richard retired, and Joe Carr became President of the company. Richard continues his volunteerism in the community and continues to support BEMA as a trusted consultant.
CULTURE OF SERVICE
Throughout the years, the inherent theme of "service to the community" has governed all we do:
- Assisting in times of disaster
- Supporting local trades and companies
- Commitment to non-profits and community volunteering
- Determined focus to keep dollars in our community by buying local
- Ethical employment practices
We are Alaskans, our customers and staff are our friends and neighbors. Every day we work to help, rebuild, and improve our community in their time of need.
In addition to countless volunteer hours, for decades our leadership has sat on the boards of local non-profits, from the MSHBA, to the International Gallery of Contemporary Art, to the Alaska Police Chaplains Association. It is part of our culture to give back to our community through service.
Throughout BEMA's long history, we have consistently supported our local law enforcement through service, support & donations to local police & trooper organizations.
This singular focus carries into our ethical treatment of our customers. The most important factor in working with a contractor is trust, and our goal is to prove ourselves trustworthy. We are human, and humans make mistakes, but when we make a misstep, we are accountable and we fix it.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
There are no rewards in life for complacency. Even though we have been doing this for a very long time, we are always learning. Every project is unique and provides new insight into how to perform better and navigate solutions more efficiently. We are proud of our experience & what we do, but not so arrogant to think that every day isn't an opportunity to learn and grow.
We utilize cutting-edge methods and equipment in our daily operations. Often testing beta designs of projects and developing solutions and tools within our own fabrication shop. There is a better mousetrap, and we are on the hunt to find it. A prime example of this is the LiDAR cloud point scanning tools. Because so much rides on the conveyance of accurate site conditions to connect the dots with claim representatives that are often thousands of miles away, we use these tools to allow us to take immersive snapshots of the project from site inspection to completion. There is no such thing as "missing documentation" when you work with Bema Restoration.
Bema Restoration constantly prioritizes continued education and training for our staff. Through our status as an IICRC Master certified firm, we facilitate and fund the further development, certifications, and training of our team. This commitment and priority ensures that the people working in your home are not only experienced, but also have the highest level of training and certifications available to our industry. Continuing education never ends at Bema Restoration.
HELPING THOSE IN NEED
The common thread that connects everyone at Bema is the fulfillment that comes from helping people every day. By helping people in a disaster, we get to be heroes. Few careers can provide such a reward. Our team is not just punching clocks, we're passionate about our projects and our customers. This passion is inherent in all we do; it is a vital facet of our culture.
No one plans to have a disaster in their home—no one budgets for the costs or inconvenience. Even with insurance involved, the deductible is still money out of pocket, and for many families, this can be additional stress in an already stressful situation.
At Bema Restoration, we NEVER demand a deposit or deductible up front for emergency services. We work with our clients and offer a 12-month payment plan to pay off even the smallest of deductibles, all with no fees, penalties, or interest. Our job is to solve problems, not create more with exorbitant bills and financial stress. We have been working in this tight Alaskan community for over 50 years. Our customers are our neighbors, and we understand that we are working with folks who are in a crisis. We've got your back.
Every year Bema works in 300 - 500 homes in our community. We impact lives every day. And we try to do so with empathy, respect, and hard work in all we do. If you work with us, know we will take the same perspective and care with your home and property.