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Karl Van Zandt, co-founder of CertaPro Painters of O'ahu, comes to Hawaii from the great midwest. Growing up in West lafayette, Indiana, he attended college there as well, graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Computer Graphics Technology. He hired on with an architecture firm in the northwest suburbs of Chicago upon graduation, (Gilfillan Callahan Architects) and over the course of three years, helped them to triple their revenue and grow market penetration by directing all of the firm's multimedia production.
He left the firm to try his hand at more entrepreneurial endeavors, and spent a couple of years doing home renovations and remodeling in Chicago and Indiana before deciding to partner with his friend and fellow Purdue alum, Micheal Iles, and establish CertaPro Painters of O'ahu. They opened their doors in Kailua in early 2005, and their shop immediately gained national recognition by being awarded the 2006 Regional Rookie Franchisee of the Year Award - West Region, and a nomination for 2006 Overall Rookie Franchisee of the Year. Building on a reputation for quality, professionalism, and devotion to customer service with aloha, in 2007 they grew the business 35% from their stellar 2006 year, and topped that with 50% growth in 2008. Karl attributes their success in retaining employees to a corporate culture that encourages transparency, flexibility, and a free exchange of ideas. This has allowed them to attract and keep some of the most quality people in Hawaii.
Karl spends his free time with his wife, Karina, and their daughter, Kali. They love Hawaii, and while they call O'ahu home, they enjoy spending time on the outer islands as well. They also love to travel, and take every available opportunity to visit new places around the globe. |
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