Nathan Chasen
Nathan Chasen

History of N. Chasen & Son
– Over 100 Years!

N. Chasen and Son, Inc. is a third generation, family-owned business. Jeff Chasen, the current president, is the grandson of Nathan Chasen, who founded the business in 1914.

Nathan Chasen

Nathan Chasen learned the trade of wall paper hanging as a teenager. Nathan grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and worked as an apprentice earning thirty five cents an hour. In 1912 he acquired a paper hanger position in the Richmond area.

By 1914, Nathan set out on his own. Little did he know the legacy of quality work that he would be establishing. Wallpapering was the primary service for more than 15 years with painting being added circa 1932.

Nathan Chasen in Model-T wallpaper truck
Nathan Chasen (circa 1914) in a wallpaper truck

Irv Chasen

In 1946 Nathan´s son, Irv Chasen, joined the team, and the name of the company was changed to N. Chasen & Son. Irv was a 1943 graduate of Virginia Tech, where he excelled in both the classroom and the football field! He was 1 of 22 Virginians mentioned in the Associated Press 1942 All America selections. Immediately after graduation, he served as a combat officer in World War II.

From two paper hangers and three painters, Irv steadily grew the business. He also served in local and national leadership positions for the Painting and Decorator Contractors of America (PDCA). In 2004, he earned the PDCA’s highest honor: the Al Quilici Award “for exhibiting extreme integrity, professionalism, and devotion towards advancing the goals of the PDCA.” Irv was a gifted speaker, writer and a natural teacher. He founded his management consulting company, PROOF, to transform tradesman into successful business men. He presented his PROOF message to more than 40 different trade organizations.

Family owned and operated business
(1997) Three generations of N. Chasen & Son. Adam, Jeff, and Irv Chasen

Irv passed away on March 8, 2011, just one month after celebrating his 91st birthday. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his family and many friends.

Jeff Chasen

Irv’s son, Jeff Chasen, joined the company in 1977 after obtaining his degree from Randolph-Macon College. Soon after, RollingStone named him as one of the top CEOs under age thirty. The article, which was published in 1985, also featured Bill Gates of Microsoft.

N. Chasen and Son’s success is founded on the timeless principles of quality, value and trust. In addition to these principles, prudent stewardship of the business through uncertain economic climates over 100 year has ensured that the trusted N. Chasen and Son name endures.

Today, N. Chasen and Son employs more than 30 skilled painters, paperhangers and carpenters who serve our residential, commercial and industrial customers. Now, just as it was then, commitment to the highest levels of service, quality and satisfaction are the foundation of our business.

Our replica Model-T service truck
N. Chasen & Son Centennial Model-T – similar to Nathan Chasen’s original truck.

N. Chasen & Son Video

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