Patrick Stemmler is a straight shooter. Whether in his work for his United Restoration Disaster Services (URDS) clients or for insurance companies and contractors in his newest endeavor, United We Restore appraisal services, he’s not afraid to fight for what is best and ethical for those who hired him — and those around him.
After working for a large national contractor, Stemmler founded the Troy-based URDS (unitedrds.com) in 2016 on a foundation of integrity and excellence. In an effort to simplify property damage remediation with high-quality restoration, roofing and remodeling, he surrounded himself with other veterans and civilians working hard to be their best selves. Similarly, his now-shuttered nonprofit, United We Restore, was dedicated to providing housing to veterans, families of veterans and people dedicated to service — their motto: “Restoring hope, one life at a time.”
Earlier this year, Stemmler launched another iteration of the name United We Restore (UWR; @unitedwerestore), a consulting business for storm contractors specializing in insurance claims, that “strives on integrity and keeping everyone honest.”
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” he says. “A lot of companies give clients the impression of knowledge because they’re energetic. I try to take more of a substance approach. I want them to know what I’m actually talking about versus feeding somebody a bunch of bull.”
Perhaps that attitude comes from being a Marine veteran. Stemmler served from 2003 through 2007, first with the 3rd FAST Company (Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams) providing global security support, then with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines (the Walking Dead) during deployment to Iraq. His service included witnessing the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while stationed in Japan.
Stemmler landed his first job, delivering newspapers, when he was 11 years old; by 13, he had three routes and counting — his goal was to hire other kids to do the delivery while he pocketed a cut of the pay. During that time, he received an honor from the city for saving the life of an older woman when he noticed she hadn’t picked up her paper from the porch for three days. He told his dad, who contacted the authorities. The woman had fallen down her stairs and broken her hip.
As Stemmler got older, he moved on from newspaper deliveries to college, welding and ultimately working as a grave digger at a cemetery. One day, his neighbor stopped by while wearing his Marine dress blues uniform.
“I looked at him and said, ‘You know, I would look good in that uniform. I could probably pick up some girls,’” Stemmler remembers. “He asked me what my job was and I told him I bury people. I said I was a welder by trade, but I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to kick in doors.”
The Marine told him about FAST Company and Stemmler’s interest was piqued. “The next day, they took me to Lansing to sign up,” he says.
Stemmler liked the constant travel and camaraderie of being a Marine. When his military career was cut short due to injury, his disability wasn’t enough to pay the bills. So he launched URDS.
Recent health issues have led to turning over the reins of his company to a manager — another Marine — and launching UWR. He’s also involved in a nonprofit started by his wife in 2023 to honor her brother Alec, a veteran who died by suicide: Gizmo Lives On helps cover adoption fees for rescue animals to support veterans’ mental health. Stemmler’s companies also raise funds to buy bulletproof vests for police dogs.
“Police departments don’t supply vests for their dogs,” he says. “Their handlers pay for them. We recently supplied a vest to a dog going to Syria and Ukraine.”
Patrick Stemmler’s years of military service perpetuated in him the values that define his character today: honor, integrity and an unwavering commitment to serving others with the same dedication he brought to defending his country.