About Aptitude Associates
Who We Are
Aptitude Associates is a licensed, experienced, and trustworthy restoration company built to diagnose and resolve complex exterior system issues. As skilled water damage restoration contractors, stucco professionals and property damage specialists, our team focuses on identifying the root causes of water damage, stucco failure and complex property issues.

We work with licensed and insured professionals across restoration, water mitigation and structural repairs, with work performed in accordance with applicable contractor requirements in Florida, Texas and Colorado, as well as established industry practices.

Unlike many restoration companies, our approach is grounded in thorough evaluation, clear communication and solutions designed to resolve the underlying cause of the damage. Every project is handled with a commitment to restoring the integrity of the structure and giving homeowners confidence that the problem has been fixed the right way.
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Dependable Approach to Property Damage Restoration

What You Should Expect from a Team of Licensed and Experienced Experts

When your property is affected by water damage or exterior system failure, you need a licensed team that can respond quickly and handle the work with precision. At Aptitude Associates, we provide professional restoration services built on accurate diagnosis, structured processes and experience across water damage restoration, structural drying and exterior systems.

Rapid Response When Damage Happens

Water intrusion and structural issues can escalate quickly. Our team provides a fast, coordinated response to begin water mitigation and limit the spread of damage.

Accurate Diagnosis of Property Issues

Many restoration issues originate from underlying moisture or structural conditions. We focus on identifying the source of damage, so the scope of work reflects what is required.

Specialized Restoration Techniques

We perform water damage restoration, structural drying, stucco restoration and exterior system repair using established methods designed to support long-term property performance.
Service Areas

Where Our Water Mitigation, Stucco Repair & Property Restoration Services Are Available

Property damage requires a measured response and proper execution. Our team delivers licensed restoration services across Florida, with additional availability in Texas and Colorado, focused on timely response and long-term performance.

Florida

Florida is our primary service area, where we provide property damage restoration, water damage restoration and structural drying for homeowners and property professionals who expect reliable service.

Texas

In Texas, we provide responsive support as a professional water mitigation company and water damage contractor, helping homeowners stabilize and restore their properties after water-related damage. Our team delivers water damage restoration services, structural drying and property damage restoration, ensuring moisture issues are properly addressed before repairs begin.

Colorado

In Colorado, we help property owners address water intrusion, stucco deterioration and underlying moisture conditions with a structured restoration approach. Our team delivers professional restoration services, applied structural drying, and detailed moisture evaluations to resolve both visible damage and hidden structural issues.
Meet Our Team

Experienced Restoration Professionals

From water intrusion specialists to experienced water damage contractors and stucco repair contractors, our team delivers reliable restoration services and consistent quality workmanship on every project.
Niko Gnann

Niko Gnann

Head of Sales & Restoration Operations
Niko Gnann
Head of Sales & Restoration Operations

With more than 25 years of hands on field experience, Niko brings deep expertise in restoration, water intrusion, mold remediation, and Category 3 contamination to every project he leads. His career has been built on real, boots on the ground work—overseeing and completing 500+ residential restoration projects from the initial emergency response through full structural rebuild.
He works directly with insurance carriers, adjusters, and national builders to ensure every job is properly scoped, documented, and completed to true pre loss condition. Accuracy, transparency, and craftsmanship guide every step of my process.
Beyond restoration, he brings extensive experience in construction and remodeling, including kitchen and bathroom renovations, drywall repair, texture matching, painting, framing, and general residential repairs. This combined background allows him to understand a home not just as a structure, but as a system—one that needs to be restored with both durability and livability in mind.
His career began through a high school OJT program, followed by early field work at 19 doing punch out for a drywall and stucco company. From there, he built my expertise the long way: through years of hands on work, real world problem solving, and a commitment to doing the job right.
Today, he brings that same grounded, practical approach to every project—helping homeowners, builders, and insurers navigate complex losses with confidence and clarity.

Anybel Lora
Anybel Lora
Operations Manager

Anybel is an operations and business services leader passionate about building efficient systems, developing strong teams, and creating environments where people and processes thrive. As Operations Manager at Aptitude Associates, she oversees daily operations, financial planning, quality control, and staff development. She focuses on improving workflows, strengthening customer service, and ensuring the organization operates with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

Her background includes leading Travel & Expense Compliance at Hertz, where she managed travel strategy, supplier relationships, and policy governance. She worked closely with internal partners to improve compliance, optimize spending, and enhance employee travel experience.

Before that, she spent nearly a decade at Gartner in progressive leadership roles supporting global sales and financial operations. She led a diverse international team, managed complex contract and order processes, and built training programs that helped new hires succeed. Her early work in contract review, billing, and client support shaped my commitment to accuracy, transparency, and service excellence.

Across every role, she brings a people‑first approach, a passion for continuous improvement, and a commitment to operational integrity.

Jens Gilbertson
Jens Gilbertson
Sr. Project Manager

Jens’ career started in the trades, welding steel and fabricating custom structures in his father’s awning shop. That early experience shaped his work ethic and sparked an entrepreneurial streak that led him to start his own business. Looking to broaden his technical foundation, he transitioned into the HVAC field, earning industry certifications and stepping into leadership roles overseeing both property management operations and new construction projects.
For the past four years, Jens has managed complex stucco and home repair projects, where his blend of field expertise and team leadership consistently drives strong outcomes. Since joining Aptitude, he has continued that momentum—quickly rising to Senior Project Manager within two years. Colleagues know Jens as someone who leads from experience, communicates with clarity, and brings a solutions first mindset to every job.

Julia Rodriguez
Julia Rodriguez
Jr. Project Manager

Julia joined our team as an assistant to the project management group and quickly proved herself to be an invaluable asset. Her initiative, reliability, and ability to learn fast led to her promotion to Project Manager within her first year.

Her construction career began right after college, but her roots in the industry go back even further. While in school, Julia worked in her family’s residential painting business, where she learned the importance of craftsmanship, customer care, and attention to detail.

Today, she brings that same dedication to every project she manages. Julia’s well‑rounded background allows her to connect with clients, support field teams, and keep projects moving smoothly from start to finish.

Kim Martin
Kim Martin
Office Manager

Kim has served as our Office Manager for the past four years, bringing more than 35 years of experience in office administration, accounting, and customer service. She began her career as an office and accounting assistant and has since built a reputation as a steady, detail‑driven leader who keeps operations running smoothly.

With a strong background in financial management and a natural talent for supporting both clients and colleagues, Kim is known for her accuracy, reliability, and approachable style. Her commitment to clear communication and positive relationships helps foster trust with customers, vendors, and staff alike. Kim’s blend of professionalism, warmth, and meticulous attention to detail makes her an essential part of our team.

Juan Rodriguez
Juan Rodriguez
Project Manager

Juan didn’t stumble into construction—he chose it. Right after high school, he dove into the trade, working side by side with his father in their painting business. That early experience wasn’t just a job—it was a foundation of commitment, precision, and pride in every finish.
In his late 30s, he broadened his vision by joining a framing company and spending five years immersed in the structural side of building. From that, he gained a deep understanding of how projects come together. With that knowledge, he returned to painting and stucco, now bringing a multifaceted expertise to every job. Today, he leads projects crafting every detail with intention, accountability, and a passion for quality. combines years of hands-on experience with a customer-first approach. Every project he leads is grounded in clear communication, trust, and a genuine dedication to ensuring every client feels understood and delighted with the outcome.

Jonathan Lopez
Jonathan Lopez
Project Manager

With over 25 years of experience spanning heavy industrial operations and residential construction, Jonathan built a career on bridging two worlds that don’t often meet—but absolutely should. His foundation was forged in a melted iron foundry, where he spent 15 years as a Lead Man, driving production, mentoring crews, and serving on the Safety Committee to ensure every shift ended as safely as it began.

Certified in confined space entry and rescue, he brings a safety‑first mindset to every environment he steps into. Over the years, he’s combined 3 years of project management with 7 years of hands‑on trade experience, giving him a rare blend of technical skill, operational insight, and practical leadership.

Today, He specializes in managing projects from kickoff to completion—keeping teams aligned, workflows efficient, and outcomes reliable. Whether the job demands precision, problem‑solving, or steady leadership under pressure, he is committed to getting it done right the first time and delivering results people can count on.