Title: Executive Director
Company: The Crawlspace Crew
Location: OR/USA
Education: High School Diploma
Career History: Co-Owner, Executive Director, Advanced Recovery Corporation (Now The Crawlspace Crew) (2023-Present); With, Advanced Recovery Corporation
Dillon Vaughn Rivera, Executive Director at The Crawlspace Crew, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of entrepreneurship.
At 17 years old, Mr. Rivera became active in the restoration industry through his father, Joe, whom he worked with and assisted when it came to marketing his business. Over time, he learned the technical aspects of the trade and became a skilled technician. His father also taught him how to manage payroll and handle billing, which would become integral for his own future business ventures. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, alongside his close friend Harlan Gross, a trained mason, the two eventually moved to Portland, Oregon together to combine their skills and start a restoration company.
Since 2023, Mr. Rivera has found success as the co-owner and executive director at Advanced Recovery Corporation, now known as The Crawlspace Crew, where he, Gross, and their small but skilled staff provide myriad services to ensure clean and healthy environments across homes and businesses, including the removal of debris, moisture, and potential hazards from crawlspaces and attics; assessing and mitigating property damage caused by rodents and other wildlife, as well as removing dead animals; handling sewage cleanup and water damage; and eliminating and preventing the growth of mold. Over the course of the day, his responsibilities include collaborating and running meetings with his technicians; overseeing various aspects of finances, project delivery, and quality assurance; and visiting customers’ homes to ensure they are satisfied with the process and overall service.
The company’s efforts, and Mr. Rivera’s own passion for helping homeowners understand the insurance process, have saved customers approximately $1.7 million—which he considers his most notable professional achievement. In addition, in early 2025, they purchased Mr. Rivera’s father’s company, which has allowed for the operation of two locations: Portland and McMinnville, Oregon. Looking toward the future, he strives to establish his company as the leading construction and restoration firm, providing services to an expanded customer base. He also plans to lend his expertise as a consultant for restoration businesses, helping them to better assist their clients. Outside of his primary endeavors, he plans to become more involved in charity work as well, dedicating his free time to helping others understand how he achieved his success and guide them on their own paths.
To those pursuing a career in his field and beyond, Mr. Rivera offered the following advice: “Choose a skill you’re really excellent at, something so natural to you that you don’t have to think about it. Make that skill your niche and the primary service you offer. Don’t spend money you don’t have. You can’t build a business by taking out loans for a location or equipment before you even have customers. This is hands-on work that requires grit and persistence.” Starting out with very little himself, with just enough to cover basic living expenses like food and gas, he said “I sold water damage restoration services before buying any equipment. I secured a down payment from the customer first, used that to buy the equipment, then completed the job and earned my payment…Build your business step-by-step from your results.”