From Toolbelts to Training Modules: A Career Forged in Field Experience
Sprague's career began in the 1990s as a technician for a regional restoration company, where he developed firsthand understanding of:
- Client relations in high-stress disaster recovery scenarios
- Operational challenges in decentralized field teams
- Skill gaps between technical training and real-world application
"The best training programs aren't created in boardrooms – they're forged through calloused hands and flooded basements," Sprague reflects in his 2023 C&R Magazine column.
Pioneering Soft Skills Education
As Director of Education at Super Tech University since 2018, Sprague has revolutionized professional development for home service technicians through:
- Decision-making simulations based on real job site scenarios
- Emotional intelligence training for client interactions
- Leadership pathways for field technicians transitioning to management
Three Definitive Works
This 2025 C&R Magazine piece combines ethnographic research with operational data analysis to examine workplace culture in restoration companies. Sprague embedded with six companies for three months, tracking:
- Correlation between employee satisfaction scores and client retention rates (+37% in firms scoring above 8/10)
- Impact of daily huddles vs. weekly meetings on project completion times
- Financial benefits of mentorship programs for new hires
The article's "Culture ROI Calculator" has been adopted by 214 companies to date, demonstrating Sprague's ability to translate academic concepts into practical business tools.
Co-authored with marketing strategist Katie Harris, this 2023 R&R Magazine feature decodes financial scalability through case studies of 12 successful home service businesses. Key innovations include:
- A "Profit Pyramid" model balancing technical and soft skill investments
- Analysis of digital marketing ROI across different service verticals
- Benchmarking tool comparing company metrics against industry leaders
The accompanying podcast series generated over 50,000 downloads, highlighting Sprague's multimedia approach to industry education.
In this 2024 Super Tech University publication, Sprague uses Hollywood memorabilia restoration as a metaphor for developing technician discretion. The article features:
- Interviews with 47 master technicians across 12 specialties
- Framework for balancing protocol adherence with situational judgment
- Assessment tool for measuring decision-making competence
Strategic Pitching Guidance
Focus on Transformative Training Methodologies
Sprague prioritizes stories demonstrating measurable improvements in workforce capabilities. Successful pitches might highlight:
- Apprenticeship programs reducing onboarding time by 40%+
- AR/VR training tools increasing first-call resolution rates
- Leadership pipelines promoting from within technical ranks
Quantify the Human Element
While deeply analytical, Sprague's work always connects metrics to human outcomes. Compelling angles include:
- Employee retention strategies reducing turnover costs by $X
- Customer satisfaction improvements tied to technician empowerment
- Safety records enhanced through communication training
Awards and Industry Recognition
- 2024 Restoration Industry Leadership Award - Recognized for developing the industry's first competency-based certification framework adopted by 89 companies
- Cleanfax Magazine Visionary Educator - Honored for hybrid learning models combining online modules with hands-on mentorship
- Blue Collar Nation Podcast Hall of Fame - Inducted for 100+ episodes bridging academic research and field operations
