Altius Aims to Cut Costs With $100 Million Founder's DIY Disaster Plan

Orlando Ojeda has launched Altius, a venture that encourages property owners to perform parts of their own disaster recovery work to reduce costs. The approach draws a direct parallel to the retail model used by Home Depot.

Ojeda states that the company sells or rents mitigation equipment to customers. Altius also teaches property management firms how to execute specific services independently. This method allows clients to maintain control over the process and the final bill.

For clients who prefer traditional assistance, Altius provides a team of qualified contractors. Ojeda oversees the work, manages the budget, sets timelines, and handles insurance coordination in those cases.

The business model stems from Ojeda's previous success with Full Circle Restoration and Construction Services. He grew that company to 70 employees and $100 million in annual revenue. He sold the firm in 2021 and remained with the organization until 2025.

During his tenure at Full Circle, Ojeda led recovery efforts for major institutions. These clients included Emory Healthcare, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Gwinnett County government.

He managed the response to a major flood at Grady Memorial Hospital during the 2019 SEC Championship Game. He also coordinated recovery for businesses and universities after pipes burst during the 2022 freeze.

Ojeda credits his ability to assemble large teams quickly for his success. He claims he can place 200 people on a job site within two hours if the situation demands it. He believes small businesses do not need large full-time staffs to deliver comprehensive services.

He notes that partnering with other companies is essential until a firm can afford its own staff. This strategy allowed him to scale his previous business from $100,000 in annual revenue to $100 million.

Ojeda received the 2025 Georgia President’s Award from the Building Owners and Managers Association for his industry contributions. He compares the recognition to receiving an Academy Award for commercial real estate work in Georgia.

He continues to work 12 to 15 hours a day after four decades in the field. He cites health, time, and soul as his core values. He says he spends time with his wife of 40 years, three adult children, and three grandchildren to recharge.

Ojeda plans to continue sharing his knowledge with other business owners. He emphasizes that building a successful business requires collaboration with other people and companies.