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| Lake Area Painting & Decorating, Inc. | ||
| 314 Hardwood Lane * Mahtomedi, Minnesota 55115 * 651-429-1778 |
Company History
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L.A.P.D. started in the late 40's or early 50's (exact
date unknown). It has always been a family-based business. James Keenan
Sr. and his father-in-law, Hank Lessard, ran the business together for a few years until Hank decided to
investigate other business ideas. Jim enjoyed painting and working with people
to make their homes something special. Therefore, Jim held onto the business. Jim and his wife,
Dorothy, were blessed with seven children. Five of these children were boys. (Aha!
Now we
have a labor force.) L.A.P.D.s average labor force was about five men in the summer and
two to three
men in the winter. Jim's brothers-in-law Tom Lessard Sr. and Don Lessard, both worked at
L.A.P.D. for around 20 years. Jim and Dorothy's boys had 16 years separating them and
they all started working full time in the summer after they turned 13. By the time they
graduated from Mahtomedi High School, these boys knew how to work! They also knew how to
paint and hang wallpaper. They also decided if painting was for them. The oldest son
(Mike)
and the youngest two (James Jr. "Corky" and Don) all decided to paint. Pat, Tim
and Mike all finished college. Don finished high school in 1981 and Jim Sr. died in
February of 1982. So begins another chapter of L.A.P.D.
A partnership-Mike, Jim and Don? Times were tough. James
Keenan
Sr. left behind a good business with great customers and no assets or liabilities. By 1984
we incurred about $ 80,000.00 of debt, we had up to 20 people on staff, and we were in
trouble. We eventually figured out how to run our business. We became a Minnesota
Corporation in 1984. We paid off our debt by working day and night 7 days a week. By 1987
we were in the black. Mike and Don had chosen other lines of work, and Jim Jr. and
his wife, Linda, were at the helm.
Jim started working summers, full
time for his father at the age of 13. During his junior and senior years at Mahtomedi High
School Jim was a participant in a on-the-job training program for five hours per day. Upon
graduation in 1979 Jim married his high school sweetheart of four years, Linda Warren, and
went to work full time for his father. Jim received his business education through the
school of Hard Knocks between 1979 and 1987.
Jim and Linda have worked hard for 20 years to create a
special business, a place where Employees want to work, a place where we Take The
Time to do quality work. Our employees are proud of the work they do and they
know we are supplying to our customers a Superior Job and Service.
Due to our efforts, we have also succeeded in finding customers who
truly care about their homes. They know the value of looks today along with durability
tomorrow and for many years to come.
| Phone: 651-429-1778 * | FAX: 651-407-1731 * | 314 Hardwood Lane* Mahtomedi, MN 55115 |
