Serving South Bend, IN and Surrounding Areas.

Our Team

Meet our team of First Response Disaster Restoration Specialists.

Our Management

Anthony P. Sergio – Founder

Anthony P. Sergio – Founder

Tony Sergio is the founder of the first series of Sergio family businesses that now comprise The Sergio Corporation. He currently coordinates the large loss and catastrophe disaster restoration division of the corporation, and has been a driving force in the rapid growth of First Response for more than 30 years. Tony’s extensive background in reconstruction, structural drying and disaster response make him a strong asset on any job site. Tony has overseen expert luxury residential restoration projects, and his vast commercial experience extends from flood restoration services in Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Cedar Rapids in the Heartland to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast states. He is an active member of Disaster Kleenup International, as well as many other professional industry-specific associations.

Tony is a lifelong resident of the Michiana area, and is active in his church as the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Tony has also served on multiple short-term mission trips with his family. Tony and his wife have five children and two grandchildren.

Michael Scott

Michael Scott – Vice President

Michael is the Vice President of First Response after holding Director of Business Development and Account Executive Positions in years past. Michael currently oversees all First Response departments as well as manages the Business Development office. Michael works with our large commercial clients on implementing their pre-disaster plan and procedures. Prior to joining First Response, Michael was an assistant men’s basketball coach for six years at Bellarmine University where he helped lead the University to their first National Championship in 2011, as well as Final Four appearances in 2012 and 2015. In his free time, Mike is an avid Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan. Michael is married with three children, Mason, Aiden and Abby.

Kari Tuttle

Kari Tuttle – Controller

Kari started with The Sergio Corporation in 1996 as a Staff Accountant. She became the Controller in 1999, and is currently in charge of Accounting and Human Resources for the Sergio family of businesses, including First Response, Michiana Properties and Polar Clean. Kari takes pride in helping the owners run the daily operations of First Response in addition to her variety of corporate duties and responsibilities. Kari is a graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with Honors in Accounting (Go Dawgs!) and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2002. Kari is a member of the Indiana CPA Society, as well as active in her church and disability advocacy groups. Kari and her husband enjoy country life with their high-school age son and have two adult children and seven grandchildren.

Estimating Department

Reid Barnbrook

Reid Barnbrook

Reid joined the First Response team in 2014. After a brief time in the contents department, he found a home in the water department for several years, ultimately becoming IICRC certified and taking a lead technician role. Now as part of the estimating team, Reid focuses on writing accurate estimates and working for our clients and with insurance adjusters in order to help get our customers back to pre-loss condition, without missing the little things.

In his free time Reid enjoys watching Michigan football and playing with his pets.

Ryan Olmstead

Ryan Olmstead

Ryan joined the First Response team in 2021 as an estimator and has over five years of experience as an insurance estimator and nearly 20 years as a team leader.  Ryan's wealth of insurance knowledge and attention to detail really fuels his passion for estimating.  As a South Bend native, Ryan enjoys being able to help those in the community after they have experienced an unexpected disaster.

In his free time Ryan enjoys watching his stepdaughter play softball, watching movies and rooting the Bears and Cubs to victory.

Craig Devliegher

Craig Devliegher

Craig joined First Response in 2022 as an estimator after having 10 years of experience in sales and project management serving both commercial and residential markets.  He attributes much of his professional success to applying a consultative approach when identifying and addressing specific customer needs.

Craig understands the importance of feeling safe in your home and just how disruptive an unexpected loss can be.  Through regular communication, directly with homeowners, Craig helps to alleviate the stress from a loss by guiding customers through the restoration process.

In his limited spare time Craig has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys spending time with family, on the golf course, at the lake, or deep in the woods.  He is happily married to his wife of 13 years, and they have two children together.

Reconstruction and Repairs Department

Bret A. Young

Bret A. Young

Bret started his career with First Response in 2005 as a Superintendent for the Structure Department. Bret oversees various reconstruction and repair projects for First Response and has a wealth of knowledge gained through his experience. Bret has over 30 years of experience in building construction.

In his free time Bret enjoys camping spending time with his grandchildren.  

Marshall Long

Marshall joined the First Response family in 2020 as a Structural Superintendent and he also manages our Roofing Department.  He has been in the construction industry for 26 years from roofing to custom home building.  Marshall brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help enhance the customer experience.   

In his free time, Marshall enjoys spending time with his three daughters and wife camping, and taking his oldest to car shows around Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.

Gary Sherwood

Gary has been with First Response since 2014 when he joined us as a carpenter. Through Gary's time as a carpenter he displayed the characteristics of a leader and earned a Superintendent position in 2018.  Gary's hands-on experience and calm demeanor allows him to put customers at ease and get the job done the right way the first time.

In his free time Gary enjoys staying at home with his wife and pet cat.

Tony Vargo

Tony started his career with First Response in 2022 as a assistant superintendent.  Tony brings 20+ years of construction and roofing knowledge and customer service.  His communication and ability to connect with others helps relieve some of the stress that having a disaster can bring.

Tony enjoys spending time with his wife of 32 years by their fire pit with their three dogs.  When it is too cold to sit by the fire pit, Tony enjoying traveling south to visit his son an grand puppy in North Carolina.

Tiffany Price

Tiffany Price

Tiffany provides administrative support to the Reconstruction Team and our Roofing Department. She is a native of Michiana area, and joined First Response in 2019. Tiffany has nearly 20 years of experience managing home improvement projects and working with various tradesmen.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and relaxing.

Jessica Cox

Jessica Cox

Jessica joined First Response in 2023 as a Team Coordinator.  Jessica has been working in the construction industry for 10+ years with extensive experience in customer service.  Jessica attributes her problem-solving ability and calm demeanor to help guide customers through the restoration process.

Jessica grew up in Northern Indiana and enjoys spending time with her husband, children and friends.  In the summer you can find Jessica outdoors fishing and camping with her family and chocolate lab, Tobi.

Emergency Services Department

Kimberly Hensley

Kimberly Young

Kimberly started with First Response in 2015 as a Claims Administrator.  Kimberly has since been promoted to our Emergency Services Department where she works with all our water damage, mold remediation and biohazard cleanup clients in their time of need. Kimberly has over 15 years of experience managing home improvement projects and working with various tradesmen.

Kimberly enjoys camping and spending time with friends and family in her free time.

Rhonda Maxwell

Rhonda Maxwell

Rhonda started with First Response in 2022 as a Claims Administrator.  Rhonda oversees our emergency board up department as well as works closely with our estimators and subcontractors.

Rhonda comes to First Response with over 13 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Rhonda enjoys taking pictures of Lake Michigan sunsets, searching for lake rocks and spending time with family and friends.  Rhonda has two adult children and two grandchildren and has a pet rabbit named Panda.

Contents Department

Brad Harding

Brad Harding

Brad started at First Response in 2002. He is the Superintendent for the Contents Department. He is responsible for the packing out, cleaning, storage, and packing in of all contents deemed salvageable at a loss. All contents are stored at the contents facility until the repairs have been completed.

Brad and his wife have two children and are very active in their church community.

Cindy Merton

Cindy Merton

Cindy joined First Response in 2007 as a Project Administrator in the Structure Department and moved to the Business Development Department in 2010.  While maintaining her Business Development duties, Cindy also works in our Contents Department assisting in coordinating and billing. 

She works with Insurance Agents and manages the training programs that First Response sponsors for Insurance Agents and Fire Department Staff.

Cindy is an Air Force Veteran and has also worked as a Fundraiser for various non-profits for over 15 years. Cindy likes to dance and listen to music with friends on her off time, and is active in her church. She has three children and ten grandchildren that keep her young.

Joanna Maines

Joanna Maines

Joanna joined First Response in 2014 as a content cleaning technician.  Joanna also assisted with the water department as part of their emergency on-call team for larger projects.  Joanna's attention to detail and forward thinking made her standout and now she is able to lead our contents department on their pack-outs and cleaning projects.

In her free time, Joanna enjoys spending time with her daughter, doing outdoor activities and making cupcakes.

Contact First Response Today for Superior Restoration Services

First Response Disaster Restoration Specialists is a family owned company with an expert team that has the experience needed to provide South Bend with quality restoration services. Whether your property is residential, commercial or industrial, we’d love to show you why we are one of the area’s leading choices for restoring places back to suitable conditions. Contact us today for services in South Bend, and you'll receive professional assistance for all your restoration needs.