Over twenty-five years construction industry experience as licensed contractor, business owner and master painter.BackgroundMy father was a carpenter who often took me to the jobs he worked on and taught me carpentry and other skills. I enjoyed the work and planned to become a carpenter too, and eventually a builder. When I was discharged from the Marines, I went to the Carpenters Union Hall to enlist as an apprentice. They weren’t accepting new members due to a slow-down in building; however, the Business Agent suggested I try the Painters Union because there was a shortage of painters. At first this news took the wind out of my sails, because being a painter wasn’t in my Master Plan, but after thinking it over, I signed up with the Painting and Decorating Union as an apprentice. I’ve never regretted that decision. I completed a four year apprentice program which consisted of working forty hours a week for a contractor and attending school one night a week for four hours. I learned about the different types of paints, stains and other coatings, and how to apply them, including the importance of thorough surface preparation. I worked on a diversity of projects with six master painters, each of whom took me under his wing and taught me the basics, as well as his specialty. In 1986 I got my California Painting and Decorating Contractors license, and started Ness Painting & Decorating with my wife and partner, Sandy Le Roy. We built our business specializing in repainting and remodeling projects for fine homes and businesses. Our commercial clients included Industrial, Light and Magic, a division of LucasFilm, the exterior of the Police and Fire Department and the interior of City Hall for the City of Mill Valley and Marin Day School. I’ve been working as a painter since 1979, and have been a painting contractor since 1986. Although I’ve been at this a long time, I still love my work and always find new things to learn to stay at the top of my game.Specialties: Fine Interior Painting, Exterior Coating Systems, Expert Pressure-Washing, Deck Cleaning and Restoration, Cosmetic Repairs, Fire and Water Damage Repairs