Karen and Doug DeHart own ServiceMASTER Absolute Water & Fire Damage Services, which responds to over 100 calls per month in San Diego related to catastrophic loss, such as fire, water, and vandalism.
They have been associated with ServiceMASTER, an international company of over 1,600 franchises (the largest network of Disaster Restoration Specialists in North America), since 1968. Their San Diego franchise has received the prestigious title of Quality Restoration Vendor (QRV) from the parent company – an honor given only after meeting high internal service quality.
After serving in the Air Force, owner Doug DeHart completed college and then joined the Hospital Management Services staff of ServiceMASTER International as Vice President of Operations for the Western and Southern US Regions. As Karen and Doug’s family grew, they wanted to travel less, so in 1987 Karen and Doug DeHart bought ServiceMASTER’s Disaster Restoration Services franchise based in Lemon Grove, and now serve all of San Diego County. Karen and Doug have 4 children.
In 1995, Karen was honored as “Insurance Woman of the Year” through the Professional Women in Insurance organization, PWI. She is also a member of San Diego Insurance Adjusters Association (SDIAA), and IIAB. Prior to Karen’s involvement with ServiceMASTER Absolute, she was an elementary school teacher for 6 years, and an academic counselor for 3 years. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology.
Meet the founders of ServiceMASTER
The original corporation was founded in 1929 by a gentleman named Marion Wade, a genuine and dedicated human being. He eventually formed a partnership with Ken Hansen, and formed 4 Corporate Objectives that to this day, all of ServiceMASTER is committed to:

- To honor God in all we do
- To help people develop
- To pursue excellence
- To grow profitably