
Meet Our Team
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SERVPRO of Lexington and West Cayce

Philip Nave - VP, General Manager Columbia Operations
Phillip Nave serves as General Manager of Columbia Operations, bringing more than 20 years of experience within the SERVPRO system to his role. His deep industry knowledge and operational expertise provide strong leadership across mitigation and reconstruction, ensuring projects are executed efficiently and to the highest standard.
Phillip is known for his steady leadership style, clear expectations, and commitment to accountability. He works closely with production teams, estimators, and operations leaders to keep jobs moving, maintain quality control, and deliver consistent results for clients and partners.
With decades of hands-on experience and a practical, solutions-driven mindset, Phillip plays a critical role in driving performance and strengthening operations throughout the Columbia market.
Phillip is a South Carolina native and has worked with SERVPRO since 2006.

Zach Wilkerson - Business Development
Zach Wilkerson serves on our Business Development team, focused on building meaningful relationships and strengthening our presence throughout the Columbia market. He works closely with property managers, insurance professionals, facility leaders, and community partners to ensure they have a trusted restoration resource ready to respond when it matters most.
Zach brings energy, consistency, and a service-driven mindset to his role. He understands that strong partnerships are built on follow-through and reliability, not just introductions. By staying engaged, responsive, and proactive, he helps position our team as a dependable, results-oriented partner.
His professionalism and commitment to supporting both clients and the operations team make him an important driver of growth and a trusted face of our organization in the community.

Penny Benkeser - Owner, CEO
Penny is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer, providing the vision and leadership that drives the organization’s growth across the Carolinas. As an owner-operator, she is deeply invested in both the long-term success of the business and the people who make it run every day.
She leads with clarity, high standards, and an unwavering commitment to integrity. Penny is passionate about developing leaders, building scalable systems, and protecting the culture that defines the Wolfpack. She believes growth should never come at the expense of service or values, and she works closely with her leadership team to ensure the organization remains proactive, prepared, and results-oriented. Her steady leadership and ownership mindset set the tone for the entire company.

Danny Cox - Owner, CFO
Danny serves as Owner and Chief Financial Officer, helping guide the financial strength and strategic direction of the organization. As an owner-operator, he brings both vision and discipline to the business, ensuring growth is backed by strong financial systems and smart decision-making.
With a background in financial services and an entrepreneurial mindset, Danny focuses on scalability, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. He works closely with leadership to align budgets, forecasting, and performance metrics with the company’s larger goals.
Danny is known for his steady, analytical approach and commitment to accountability. His leadership ensures the organization remains financially healthy, positioned for growth, and equipped to continue investing in its people and communities across the Carolinas.

Brandon McLemore
Brandon McLemore serves as Construction Division Director for our Columbia operations, leading reconstruction projects with a strong focus on quality, accountability, and client satisfaction. He oversees everything from initial scope to final walkthrough, ensuring each build is completed efficiently and to the highest standard.
Brandon is known for his steady leadership, clear communication, and ability to manage complex projects without losing attention to detail. He works closely with estimators, project managers, subcontractors, and clients to keep timelines on track and expectations aligned. His commitment to craftsmanship and results-driven execution plays a key role in delivering seamless reconstruction experiences for the clients and partners we serve.

Jenn Loadholt - VP, Contents Operations
Jenn began her career as an office manager on the reconstruction side of the restoration industry, where she quickly developed a reputation for organization and follow-through. It wasn’t long before her skill set naturally drew her into contents work — one of the most detailed and logistically complex areas of restoration.
From sorting and packing to moving, cleaning, storing, and returning a client’s belongings, Jenn understands every step of the process. She is a master at planning and executing each phase with precision, ensuring nothing is overlooked and every item is accounted for.
What truly sets Jenn apart, however, is her ability to build trust. She stays in close communication with clients through daily calls and texts, providing reassurance during what is often a stressful time. Her steady presence and attention to detail help clients feel confident that their belongings — and their homes — are in good hands.

Ashley Cox - Marketing and Communication Coordinator
Ashley Cox serves as Marketing & Communication Coordinator, leading the strategy and execution of the company’s internal and external messaging. She oversees brand consistency across digital platforms, social media, newsletters, and community outreach, ensuring every touchpoint reflects the organization’s values and voice.
Ashley blends creativity with structure, turning complex projects, field stories, and growth initiatives into clear, compelling content. She works closely with leadership, business development, and operations to highlight results, strengthen community relationships, and support ongoing expansion across the Carolinas.
Known for her attention to detail and ability to translate vision into action, Ashley plays a key role in protecting the brand, celebrating the Wolfpack culture, and driving visibility in every market the team serves.

Christina McDuffie - Mitigation Manager, Operations
Christina McDuffie serves as Mitigation Manager, Operations, where she helps keep projects moving efficiently from intake to completion. With a strong command of scheduling, documentation, and crew coordination, Christina ensures every mitigation job is organized, compliant, and executed to standard.
She brings a steady, solutions-focused approach to fast-paced situations, supporting field teams while maintaining clear communication with leadership and partners. Known for her attention to detail and accountability, Christina plays a key role in driving operational consistency and helping deliver quality results for every client we serve.

Ben Wilson - Mitigation Manager, Production
Ben Wilson serves as Mitigation Manager, Production, bringing hands-on experience and steady leadership to every loss. A carpenter by trade, Ben has been in the mitigation industry since 2008 and holds his WRT, ASD, and AMRT certifications. His deep field knowledge and practical mindset make him a trusted leader for crews and a reliable resource on complex jobs.
Ben is known for setting clear expectations, maintaining strong production standards, and leading from the front. He balances urgency with quality, ensuring projects stay on schedule without cutting corners.
Outside of work, Ben is a proud husband and father of three. His family stays busy with marching band in the fall and dance and lacrosse in the spring — and as a lifelong Gamecock fan, he’s right at home leading in the Carolinas.

Hunter Sgorrano - Business Development Representative
Hunter Sgorrano serves as a Business Development Representative, focused on strengthening relationships and expanding our presence in the community. He works closely with property managers, insurance agents, and commercial partners to ensure they have a dependable restoration resource they can call at any time.
Hunter brings energy, consistency, and a service-driven mindset to his role. He understands that trust is built over time, so he prioritizes follow-through, clear communication, and being present when partners need support. His proactive approach and commitment to representing our team with professionalism help drive growth while reinforcing our reputation for reliability and results.

Ian McPeek - HR Manager
Ian McPeek serves as HR Manager, supporting team members across every office with a steady, people-first approach. He oversees recruiting, onboarding, compliance, and employee relations, helping ensure everyone is set up for success from day one.
Known for being fair, approachable, and solutions-focused, Ian provides clear guidance to both employees and leadership. His commitment to strong systems and a positive culture helps strengthen our Wolfpack and support continued growth across the organization.
What our
customers are saying
Darrell was very responsive to my situation with our rental properties.
Trey & Taylor were both amazing during this process! They made this very easy for me. Not once did I feel stressed out. Thank you!
I would like to recognize the two gentlemen that were at my home. They were professional, kind, polite, and passionate. They waited for me three hours on a Saturday when I was trying to coordinate police escort to my residence. Please recognize them in your staff meetings and tell the I said THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING...for your patience, for your positive attitude, for your professionalism during the "deconstruction" and "reconstruction" of our home!
Fast, affordable, and detail oriented. Completely restored the home! Amazing work! Would recommend them to anyone needing fast and clean work!
Wow just wow! Restored my grandmas house fast! I couldn't be more thankful! CALL SERVPRO FIRST! THEY ARE THE BEST!
Keep up the great work!! All of the personnel that came to my homes were very wonderful during this trying time.
Sam and the rest of the crew were very helpful and prompt.
A big thank you to SERVPRO West Columbia-Lexington, Tia and Richard for the terrific job you gave done taking care of GMM's clients/family during the recent cold weather. With so many pipes bursting, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty and I thank you from the hit you of my heart for taking care of my people. This is what community us all about when emergencies come up. Thank you, Tia and Richard!
About Us
OUR TEAM
Our team proudly serves the Columbia area. With our extensive knowledge and experience in the restoration industry, we can offer every customer a tailored experience suited to whatever disaster or emergency threatens their property. Our crews have IICRC certifications to ensure the best and most effective approach to mitigation is used to recover and restore any damage affecting homes or businesses. Customer satisfaction and service is at the heart of what we do and has led to numerous awards as a Top 50 SERVPRO franchise.
OUR SERVICES
We understand that any emergency that threatens your property needs prompt and effective mitigation, restoration and clean up. As a local certified veteran owned and operated restoration team, we offer a wide range of services to the Richland County area with a 98% satisfaction rate from surveys conducted with our customers. Our local services include commercial and residential fire, smoke and soot damage, water restoration, mold mitigation and remediation, biohazard cleanup, deodorizing and much more.
OUR RESPONSE
Our team works 24/7/365 to meet the disaster restoration needs of our customers. We are faster to any disaster.
AFFILIATIONS
- Vistage
AWARDS
- Business Journal's Women in Business Award
- NAWBO National Woman Business Owner of Year Finalist
- NAWBO Rising Star Award
- SMARTCEO Brava Award
- TOP 100 SERVPRO (multiple years)
- SERVPRO Award for Outstanding Sales (multiple years)
Insurance and Payment Information
For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO works with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork.
Certifications
- AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
- ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
- FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
- RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
- WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
Affiliations
- Building Owners Management Association (BOMA)
- Commercial Real Estate Executive Women (CREW)
- Industrial Networking Group
- Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
- North Carolina Healthcare Engineers Association (NCHEA)
- Vistage
